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Higher Education

House Bill 2154 (Act No. 1375) - Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

bulletProvides differing levels of financial assistance for students attending state public and nonpublic colleges and universities and public technical colleges that meet defined academic requirements bulletCreates 3 categories for financial aid for La. high school seniors bulletOpportunity Award: bulletComplete 16.5 credits of core curriculum bullet2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale bulletScore at least a 19 on the ACT, or its SAT equivalent bulletReceive college tuition for four years at the state university rate. bulletPerformance Award bulletComplete 16.5 credits of core curriculum bullet3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale bulletScore at least a 23 on the ACT, or its SAT equivalent bulletReceive college tuition for four years AND a $400 per academic year stipend for additional college expenses bulletHonors Award bulletComplete 16.5 credits of core curriculum bullet3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale bulletScore at least a 27 on the ACT, or its SAT equivalent bulletReceive college tuition for four years AND an $800 per academic year stipend
bullet** The above requirements are not a complete listing. For additional requirements constituents may contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at1- 800-922-1012 for more details, including information on continuing eligibility requirements.
bulletEliminates the Tuition Assistance Plan and the Louisiana Honors Scholarship Program after the 1997/98 school year and transfers participants in these programs into the appropriate TOPS award category without any detrimental impact on the students bulletAlthough effective August 15, 1997, the scholarships do not go into effect until the 1998/99 school year

House Bill 1932 (Act No. 476) - Tuition Opportunity Program for Students - Teachers

bulletEffort to boost number of La. students entering the teaching profession bulletTo obtain loans students must meet certain requirements including: bulletEnroll in an approved teacher education program bulletGraduate with a minimum 3.25 GPA bulletScore at least a 23 on the ACT, or its SAT equivalent bulletMath and chemistry majors may receive loans not to exceed $6,000 per undergraduate year bulletEducation majors may receive loans not to exceed $4,000 per undergraduate year bulletCreates the Teacher Preparation Loan Fund in the state treasury to provide the loans bulletEffective August 15, 1997

Senate Bill 232 (Act No. 868) - Tuition Aid to Children of Law Enforcement Officers

bulletPertains to children of officers or deputy sheriffs killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty bulletNew law extends eligibility for scholarships to children of adult probation and parole officers killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty bulletCurrent law exempts them from tuition and awards a $250 per semester cash stipend for books bulletEffective August 15, 1997

Senate Concurrent Resolution 110 - Community College System

bulletBoard of Regents must develop a method for establishing a statewide community college system and present it to a special joint legislative committee by early August 1997 bulletAfter hearing from the Regents, the legislative committee must make its community college system recommendations to the Legislature by March 1, 1998

House Bill 429 (Act No. 1497) - Community College System

bulletAuthorizes the Legislature to provide by law for the creation, governance, management and control of a community college system composed of public 2-year higher education institutions bulletSupervision and control of the 2-year higher education institutions will be transferred from the 3 higher education management boards to any one of the 3 boards bulletConstitutional amendment bulletEffective upon voter approval in the 1998 Congressional primary election

Senate Bill 1272 (Act No. 1360) - Board of Regents

bulletStrengthens power of the Board of Regents bulletRegents will be the representative of higher education bulletRegents will be responsible for giving advice and recommendations concerning higher education to the governor and the Legislature bulletRegents must confirm the appointment of system presidents and campus heads made by the 3 higher education management boards bulletRegents must have a member of each management board on each of its standing committees bulletRequires management boards to implement and enforce orders issued by Regents bulletRequires that management board expenditures or allocations to institutions be in accordance with the Regents' master plan for higher education bulletEffective January 1, 1998, however, a lawsuit has been filed challenging its constitutionality

Senate Bill 1281 (Act No. 482) - Higher Education Innovative Fund

bulletCreates the Higher Education Innovative Fund bulletFunds: bullet$10 million for enhancing library and scientific research equipment for colleges and universities bullet$3 million for distance learning, university classrooms and infrastructure connections, and the purchase of equipment for the public higher education system bullet$1 million for improving university-based teacher  training programs bulletEffective June 30, 1997

 

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