Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 17, § 1687. Tuition and fee exemption; persons in foster care; eligibility; duration; foster care status; verification; funding; definitions

A. Beginning with the Fall 2006 academic semester or session, as applicable, any person as defined in Subsection B of this Section who is eligible for admission and enrollment in a public postsecondary education institution in Louisiana shall be admitted and enrolled in such institution without the payment of any tuition or mandatory fee amount as long as such person meets the academic standards and complies with the rules and regulations of the institution required for enrollment and continued attendance as a full-time student. Such exemption shall exist for such person for the length of time required for a full-time student to obtain a baccalaureate or other undergraduate degree or completion certificate as offered by such institution, as applicable, or until the person's twenty-fifth birthday, whichever occurs first.

B. For purposes of this Section, the term “person” shall mean any individual who was in the care, custody, or guardianship of the office of children and family services of the Department of Children and Family Services in the foster care program for any nine of the twenty-four months immediately prior to his eighteenth birthday.

C. For purposes of this Section, the foster care status of any person eligible to receive the exemption as provided in this Section shall be verified by the office of children and family services of the Department of Children and Family Services prior to such person initially receiving such exemption.

D. Implementation of the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose.

E. For purposes of this Section, tuition and mandatory fee amounts shall mean those tuition and fee amounts payable by the state on behalf of a student who receives an award pursuant to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.