Provides relative to authority of management boards to charge per credit hour tuition and requires the Board of Regents to adopt certain policies (EG +$20,200,000 GF EX See Note)
Impact
The introduction of HB 448 is positioned to influence the overall financial structure of higher education institutions in Louisiana. By allowing universities and colleges to impose extra tuition charges, it encourages students to consider their credit load carefully while potentially generating significant revenue for the institutions. However, this could also raise concerns about accessibility, as additional fees may deter students from taking the necessary courses to complete their degrees in a timely manner, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds.
Summary
House Bill 448 aims to empower public postsecondary education management boards in Louisiana to impose additional tuition charges based on credit hours for students enrolled beyond the standard full-time load. Specifically, the bill allows for an additional charge for students taking more than 12 credit hours per semester or 8 credit hours per quarter. This legislation mandates that at least 10% of the revenue generated from these additional tuition charges be allocated towards need-based financial aid, thereby promoting some level of financial support for students facing economic hardships.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding this bill appears to be mixed. Supporters argue that the flexibility for institutions to impose these charges is necessary for funding operational costs and providing financial aid to students in need. On the other hand, critics express concerns that such measures may burden students, particularly those who struggle with financial constraints. The debate emphasizes a divide on balancing institutional funding needs with students’ financial capabilities, indicating a polarized view on higher education funding strategies in Louisiana.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 448 include the potential impact on students' financial burden and the equity of the tuition structure. Critics argue that imposing additional financial requirements could disproportionately affect low-income students, while supporters emphasize the necessity for institutions to have funding flexibility to maintain quality education. Furthermore, the conditions surrounding the withdrawal policies and the criteria for waivers are significant aspects of the bill that require careful consideration to ensure equitable access to education for all students.
Provides relative to the authority of public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)
Provides relative to the authority of public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts (OR +$257,600,000 SG RV See Note)
Authorizes the La. Community and Technical Colleges System Board of Supervisors to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts at institutions under its supervision and management and permits the uniform imposition of tuition and mandatory fee amounts on a per credit hour basis (RE +$5,300,000 SG RV See Note)
Authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and fee amounts under certain circumstances (EG SEE FISC NOTE SG RV See Note)
Authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and fee amounts under certain circumstances (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)
Authorizes public postsecondary education management boards to increase tuition and provides for limitations and exceptions (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)