§3042.52.  Loans for certain nursing students; Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission; authority

A.  The Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, hereinafter referred to as "the commission", may with the use of funds appropriated for such purpose, make loans to a student who meets all of the requirements in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and any one of the requirements in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection:

(1)(a)  Is a bona fide citizen and resident of the state.  However, first priority shall be given to students who have been residents of the state for at least two years.

(b)  Meets such other qualifications as the commission may prescribe by rule.

(2)(a)  Desires to become a licensed practical nurse and has been accepted to enroll in a nursing program in this state approved by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners.

(b)  Desires to become a registered nurse and has been accepted to enroll in a nursing program in this state approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

(c)  Desires to become qualified to teach nursing and has been accepted to enroll in a master of science in nursing program in this state approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.

B.  The commission may make a loan to a student who it deems to be qualified, upon such terms and conditions as the commission may impose in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, provided the student intends to acquire a degree or diploma from a program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing or the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners which leads to a degree or diploma in licensed practical nursing or registered nursing or leads to a degree which qualifies such individual to teach nursing.

C.  Any student to whom the commission has made a loan shall be required to maintain all requirements set forth by the college, university, or nursing school such student is attending.

D.  It shall be the duty of the commission to do all of the following:

(1)  Accept and review each application for such a loan.

(2)  Make careful and full investigation of the qualifications of each applicant.

(3)  Determine the eligibility of the applicant to become the recipient of such a loan and to continue to be eligible for such loan.

E.  The commission may prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this Chapter which shall include and provide for an open and competitive process for determining loan recipients.

Acts 2003, No. 885, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.