§3351.3.  Academic excellence fee; Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

A.  In accordance with Article VII, Section 2.1 of the Constitution of Louisiana, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College may provide for the assessment of an academic excellence fee at Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College located at Baton  Rouge and designated as the premier flagship university for the state.  This fee shall be in addition to any other tuition or attendance fees and charges established by the board.

B.(1)  The fee amount shall not exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars per semester for a student who is enrolled on a full-time basis and shall be prorated for a part-time student.

(2)  The fee shall not be a cost that is payable by the state on behalf of any student who is a recipient of an award under the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.

(3)  The fee shall be paid by all students except:

(a)  Students who are recipients of federal Pell Grants as authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

(b)  Students who initially enrolled at the institution prior to the 2000-2001 academic year and who are continuing recipients of an award under the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.

C.(1)  In addition to the fees authorized in Subsections A and B of this Section and in accordance with Article VII, Section 2.1(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, beginning with students enrolling for the Fall, 2003, academic session the board may provide for the assessment of an academic excellence fee at each institution under its management and supervision.

(2)  The fee amount shall not exceed ten dollars per credit hour per academic session and shall not exceed one hundred twenty dollars per academic session.

(3)  The fee shall not be a cost that is payable by the state on behalf of any student who is a recipient of an award under the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.

(4)  The fee shall be paid by all students.  However, the board shall establish criteria for waiving the fee in cases of financial hardship as determined by the board.  Information relative to such waivers and the criteria and procedures for obtaining a waiver shall be made available to all prospective students in a timely manner such that each student is informed of the availability of a waiver prior to the student making a final decision concerning attendance at any institution under the management and supervision of the board.

D.  Fee proceeds shall be used to promote academic excellence at the institution by enhancing instructional programs.  However, no proceeds shall be used to pay the salary of any university or university system administrator.

Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 100, §1, eff. April 17, 2000; Acts 2003, No. 1132, §1, eff. July 2, 2003; Acts 2008, No. 652, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.