Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HCR 119: HIGHER EDUCATION: Establishes the Louisiana College without Debt Commission

This bill directs the Louisiana Board of Regents to conduct a comprehensive study on the state's need-based financial aid programs. The study must examine eligibility rules, how well current aid meets student needs, and how these programs align with workforce goals. It also requires comparing Louisiana's approach with other states and identifying barriers that prevent students from accessing available help. The Board of Regents must submit its findings and recommendations to several legislative committees by February 15, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a commission to study and improve financial aid, aiming to expand access and reduce debt for higher education students.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed both · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HCR 49: HIGHER EDUCATION: Memorializes congress to include physical therapy as a professional degree program for purposes of borrowing limits for students seeking federal aid for postsecondary education

This Louisiana concurrent resolution requests that the United States Congress classify the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree as a professional degree eligible for enhanced federal student loan borrowing limits. The measure aims to allow physical therapy students to access higher levels of federal financial aid, similar to other professional degree programs, rather than being restricted by lower undergraduate loan caps. It specifically targets students pursuing physical therapy education in Louisiana to support workforce development and address healthcare needs in the state. As a memorial resolution, this document does not change state law directly but formally asks the federal government to adjust eligibility rules for student loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for increased federal student loan borrowing limits for physical therapy students, expanding financial access to higher education and supporting professional degree programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases federal loan limits for physical therapy students, supporting the healthcare workforce pipeline and improving future access to physical therapy services.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1128: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech

This bill updates Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship program to clarify how funding is distributed to students in associate degree and shorter-term training programs. It establishes that eligible students will receive awards equal to tuition and fees from the 2016-2017 academic year, with adjustments for programs that no longer align with state priorities. The legislation also allows TOPS-Tech awards for students in registered apprenticeships and employees at approved workforce providers, while requiring the Board of Regents and Louisiana Works to track program outcomes and submit annual reports to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates TOPS-Tech scholarship program, expands funding access for associate degree and training programs, and includes apprenticeships, strengthening educational opportunities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill expands TOPS-Tech scholarship funding to include apprenticeships and workforce training, promoting digital skills development and educational access in technology-related fields.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 23, 2026

HCR 30: STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Requests the Board of Regents to study the potential establishment of a legislative scholarship program

This bill asks the Board of Regents to study creating a scholarship program where each state legislator could nominate one student per year for public colleges and universities. The study must be completed by March 1, 2027, and include recommendations for new laws if a program is feasible. The scholarship costs would be covered by the educational institutions themselves, and the Board must consult with college management boards during the review. This resolution does not create funding or establish the program, but rather directs officials to investigate the possibility and report their findings to education committees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill proposes studying a scholarship program to expand educational access for students at public colleges, though it requires further analysis before implementation.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 1058: TOPS: Requires the Board of Regents to establish and maintain a data administration system for the collection of uniform data on all state financial assistance (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill requires Louisiana's Board of Regents to create a data system for collecting consistent information on all state financial aid programs. It directly affects postsecondary institutions that accept students receiving Taylor Opportunity Program for Students awards, as they must submit the required data. The system will track financial aid trends, effectiveness, and student outcomes to help evaluate how well these programs work. Institutions must follow the specific data format determined by the administering agency to ensure uniform reporting across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes data system to track financial aid effectiveness and student outcomes, improving program evaluation and educational access for postsecondary institutions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1059: TOPS: Provides relative to core curriculum requirements for TOPS and TOPS-Tech awards in the subject of mathematics (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

This bill updates the mathematics course requirements for students to qualify for Louisiana's TOPS scholarship awards, including Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence, and TOPS-Tech programs. It establishes specific math course sequences that students must complete, allowing them to choose between traditional Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II or an alternative integrated mathematics sequence. The law sets different requirements based on graduation year, with some students needing three math units while others need four, and it expands course options for TOPS-Tech recipients to include applied math and computer science classes. These changes directly affect high school students graduating between 2021 and 2030 who wish to receive state scholarship funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates math course requirements to allow alternative integrated sequences, expanding educational access and providing flexibility in curriculum while maintaining scholarship eligibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 186: CRIME/THEFT: Creates the crime of theft of funds from the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

HB 186 creates a new criminal offense for stealing funds from Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program, directly affecting administrators or officials who handle these scholarship funds. It sets tiered penalties based on the amount stolen: up to 20 years in prison for $25,000+ theft, up to 10 years for $5,000-$25,000, and lesser terms for smaller amounts. The bill also requires offenders to pay full restitution to victims of the theft. This law specifically targets misuse of scholarship funds, not general theft.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense with tiered prison terms for scholarship fund theft, expanding criminalization in sentencing without reform context.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects scholarship funds from theft, ensuring integrity of educational funding mechanisms and safeguarding student access to financial aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 407: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (EN -$1,100,000 SD EX See Note)

HB 407 lowers the minimum age requirement for Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program, a state-funded higher education assistance program. The bill phases in reduced age thresholds over several academic years: applicants must be at least 20 for 2024-2025, 19 for 2025-2026, 18 for 2026-2027, and 17 for 2027-2028 onward. This change directly affects prospective college students seeking program eligibility based on their age at application. The policy modifies existing eligibility rules to allow younger applicants to qualify for tuition assistance at Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLowers age requirement for state-funded higher education program, expanding access to assistance for younger students by reducing eligibility barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 482: TOPS: Revises the initial and continuing eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award and provides for the award amount at public colleges and universities (EG +$3,200,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 482 proposes to increase the TOPS-Tech scholarship award amount to $4,500 annually for students enrolled in eligible programs at Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) institutions, effective for first-time freshmen enrolling in 2026-2027 or later. It revises eligibility by requiring students to meet only two of three academic benchmarks (minimum GPA, ACT score, or early college credits) instead of all three, and allows deferral of award acceptance until age 25 for LCTCS students. The bill also adjusts academic progress requirements, including a minimum 2.00 GPA and continuous enrollment standards, to maintain eligibility. These changes directly affect Louisiana students pursuing technical degrees at LCTCS colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases TOPS-Tech scholarship funding to $4,500/year and lowers eligibility requirements, expanding access to higher education financial aid at LCTCS institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 105: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS eligibility. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 105 amends Louisiana's TOPS program to expand eligibility for the TOPS-Tech Award to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. military installations located in Louisiana. To qualify, veterans must earn a 17+ ACT score (or equivalent SAT/ACT WorkKeys silver level) and submit their DD-214 discharge documents. The bill specifically applies to the 2020-2023 academic years and targets veterans who served at Louisiana military bases. It modifies existing eligibility rules without changing funding or creating new benefits, focusing solely on qualifying veterans for technical college financial aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by modifying TOPS-Tech eligibility criteria without reducing funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands TOPS-Tech eligibility for Louisiana veterans with military discharge docs, meeting ACT score requirement, directly advancing educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment