DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Richard HB No. 943
Abstract: Authorizes the boards of supervisors of the LSU System, the Southern University
System, and the University of La. System to impose additional per credit-hour tuition
charges on students enrolled in more than 12 credit hours per semester or eight credit
hours per quarter. Excludes such additional tuition charges from TOPS award payments.
Provides for limitations and waivers.
Proposed law authorizes the boards of supervisors of the LSU System, the Southern University
System, and the University of La. System to establish an additional tuition charge per credit-hour
in which a student is enrolled in excess of 12 credit-hours in a semester or in excess of eight
credit hours in a quarter. Limits such per credit-hour charge to 1/12 of the tuition charge for 12
credit hours per semester or 1/8 of the tuition charge for eight credit hours per quarter, as the case
may be.
Present law (R.S. 17:3048.1 et seq.) establishes the La. Taylor Opportunity Program for Students
or TOPS which provides for certain awards to full-time students who meet certain qualifications
and who are enrolled in public colleges and universities (or certain other institutions) and for
payment on their behalf of amounts determined by the administering agency to equal the actual
cost of tuition. (Certain awards also include other monetary amounts.)
Proposed law specifies that any additional tuition charge imposed pursuant to proposed law shall
not be included in determining the amount to be paid on behalf of a student pursuant to a TOPS
award and prohibits payment of any such additional charge as part of a TOPS award.
Proposed law requires that the boards, prior to imposing the additional tuition charge, establish
criteria for waivers of such additional tuition charges in cases of financial hardship. Further
requires that information about such waivers and the criteria and procedures for obtaining a
waiver shall be made available to all affected prospective and continuing students in a timely
manner such that the students are aware of the charges and the availability of waivers prior to
making a final decision concerning attendance or continued attendance at the college or
university.
Proposed law is in addition to any other authority of any of the boards to impose tuition or fees.
Proposed law provides that it is in accordance with Const. Art. VII, ยง2.1(A) that any new fee
imposed or assessed by a state board or agency must be enacted by law by a 2/3 vote of the
elected members of each house of the legislature. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3351.20)