HLS 14RS-1382 ORIGINAL
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are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 991
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER
STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Provides relative to Tulane University scholarships
granted to students pursuant to nominations by state legislators
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:1891, relative to Tulane scholarships; to provide relative to continued2
eligibility for such awards; to place certain residency or repayment requirements on3
recipients of program awards; to authorize the use of funds for postgraduate study4
if certain conditions are met; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:1891 is hereby enacted to read as follows:7
ยง1891. Tulane University; free tuition for students nominated by members of the8
legislature; requirements9
A.(1) A student who receives free tuition pursuant to Act No. 43 of the 188410
Regular Session of the Legislature as amended who first enrolls at Tulane University11
for or during the 2014-2015 academic year or thereafter shall pursue a degree that12
would qualify him for employment in a four or five star job, on a statewide basis, as13
defined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.14
(2) In order to maintain continued eligibility for receipt of such free tuition,15
once enrolled a student shall continue pursuit of a degree that would qualify him for16
employment in a four or five star job, on a statewide basis, as defined by the17
Louisiana Workforce Commission. Notwithstanding any provision of this Paragraph18
to the contrary, a student shall remain eligible to receive the award if after he enrolls19
in but before he completes the degree that would qualify him for employment in such20
four or five star job, the job is no longer defined as a four or five star job.21 HLS 14RS-1382 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 991
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are additions.
B.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Act No. 43 of the 1884 Regular1
Session of the Legislature or any agreement entered pursuant thereto, an otherwise2
qualified student who meets each of the following conditions may receive free tuition3
to pursue a postgraduate academic degree in a field of study that qualifies the student4
for employment after graduation in a four or five star job, on a statewide basis, as5
defined by the Louisiana Workforce Commission:6
(a) The student first enrolled as a full-time postsecondary student in an7
out-of-state college or university that is accredited by a regional accrediting8
organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and remains9
enrolled in and graduates from the college or university.10
(b) The student graduated from high school during the 2010-2011 school11
year or thereafter.12
(2) A student may receive the free tuition to pursue a postgraduate degree for13
not more than three academic years and shall not receive free tuition for any term14
that begins more than seven years after the student graduated from high school.15
C.(1) For a recipient of an award pursuant to this Section who first enrolls16
at Tulane University for or during the 2014-2015 academic year or thereafter, upon17
completion of a bachelor's or postgraduate degree, as applicable, such recipient shall18
do one of the following:19
(a) Reside in Louisiana for at least one year for each full academic year of20
free tuition received pursuant to this Section.21
(b) Repay to Tulane University a full academic year of free tuition for each22
year he fails to comply with Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph.23
(2) If such student loses eligibility to continue receiving free tuition for any24
reason other than completion of a degree, he shall repay all amounts equal to the free25
tuition he received.26
(3) If such student is required to repay tuition pursuant to this Subsection,27
he shall:28 HLS 14RS-1382 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 991
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(a) Repay amounts in the reverse order from that in which they were1
received.2
(b) Repay one year of tuition within each calendar year until all awards have3
been repaid; the student shall not be required to pay any interest on amounts owed4
if they are paid in accordance with this Subparagraph.5
(4) If such student is required to repay tuition pursuant to this Subsection,6
he may defer such repayment and no interest shall accrue:7
(a) While he is a full time student pursuing an associate, undergraduate, or8
graduate degree.9
(b) While he is engaged in active duty service with the United States10
military.11
(5) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to a student who12
completes a degree at Tulane University and accepts employment and remains13
employed in any of the following for at least four years:14
(a) Government service including military service.15
(b) Employment with a company that is based in Louisiana.16
(c) Employment with a nonprofit organization that qualifies as tax-exempt17
pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.18
(6) Tulane University may adopt policies necessary to implement the19
provisions of this Subsection. Such policies shall include provision for all available20
means of collecting amounts owed and interest on unpaid amounts21
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. HLS 14RS-1382 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 991
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are additions.
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. HLS 14RS-1382 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 991
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are additions.
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)