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)]
Hunter HB No. 991
Abstract: Authorizes the use of Tulane legislative scholarships for postgraduate studies in
certain circumstances; places course of study requirements on recipients; and requires a
recipient to repay awards unless the recipient completes a bachelor's or postgraduate
degree and resides in La. for at least one year for each year of award received.
Present law (Act No. 43 of the 1884 Regular Session of the Legislature, as amended) establishes
free tuition to Tulane University in New Orleans for students nominated by members of the
legislature. Proposed law retains present law.
Course of Study and Continuing Eligibility
Proposed law requires each student who first enrolls at Tulane University for or during the 2014-
2015 academic year or thereafter and who receives free tuition pursuant to present law to pursue
a degree that would qualify him for employment in a four or five star job, on a statewide basis, as
defined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC). Further provides that in order to
maintain eligibility for such free tuition, the student must continue pursuit of such a degree.
Proposed law provides that the student shall remain eligible for free tuition if after the student
enrolls in but before he completes the degree that would qualify him for such four or five star
job, the job is no longer defined as four or five stars by the LWC.
Use of Award for Postgraduate Study
Present law authorizes use of the legislative scholarship award for tuition related to the pursuit of
a bachelor's degree.
Proposed law provides that an otherwise qualified student who meets both of the following
conditions may use a legislative scholarship award to pursue a postgraduate academic degree at
Tulane University:
(1)The student first enrolled as a postsecondary student in and graduated from an
out-of-state college or university accredited by a regional accrediting organization
recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
(2)The student graduated from high school during the 2010-2011 school year or thereafter.
Provides that the student may continue to receive the award if he pursues a degree that would qualify him for employment in a four or five star job, on a statewide basis, as defined by the
Louisiana Workforce Commission. Further provides that a student shall remain eligible to
receive the award if, after he enrolls in but before he completes the degree that would qualify him
for employment in such four or five star job, the job is no longer defined as a four or five star job.
Permits student to receive the award for not more than three academic years or the equivalent
number of semesters or quarters; prohibits receipt of the award for a term that begins more than
seven years after high school graduation.
Repayment of Award Amounts
Proposed law provides that for a recipient who first enrolls at Tulane for or during the 2014-2015
academic year or thereafter, upon completion of a bachelor's or postgraduate degree, such former
recipient of an award shall either reside in La for at least one year for each year of award he
received or repay one year of award for each year he fails to meet this residency requirement.
Requires a student who loses eligibility to receive awards to repay amounts received.
Proposed law requires that the student repay amounts in the reverse order from that in which they
were received and repay one year of awards within each calendar year until all awards have been
repaid. Authorizes deferral of repayment for full-time students and those engaged in military
service. Waives the repayment requirement for a student who completes a degree and works for
at least four years in any of the following: government service including military service; for a
La.-based company; or for a nonprofit organization.
Proposed law authorizes Tulane University to promulgate rules necessary to implement proposed
law, including provision for collecting amounts owed and interest on unpaid amounts.
(Adds R.S. 17:1891)