Title 17. Education

Chapter 20-H. Grant Opportunity for Youth Challenge Program

17:3050.2       Tuition grants; eligibility; continuation; limits

A. (1) As part of the Grant Opportunity for Youth ChalleNGe Program, hereinafter referred to as the “GO-Youth ChalleNGe Program”, the state shall award a grant in an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the actual cost of tuition of any student who enrolls on a full-time basis in a Louisiana public postsecondary institution to pursue a certificate, diploma, or associate or baccalaureate degree required for a high-demand, high-skill, high-wage career. 

(2) The state shall award a grant in an amount determined by the administering agency to be equal to the average grant amount paid under this Section for students attending a public postsecondary institution to any student who enrolls on a full-time basis at a regionally accredited independent college or university in the state that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to pursue a certificate, diploma, or associate or baccalaureate degree required for a high-demand, high-skill, high-wage career. 

(3) To be eligible for a grant as provided for in this Section, a student must meet all of the following qualifications and all other applicable qualifications of this Chapter: 

(a) Is a resident of Louisiana, as defined by the administering agency, during the twenty-four months preceding enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution. 

(b)(i) Has been certified to have graduated from the Youth ChalleNGe Program and earned a high school diploma issued by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or its equivalent, and unless granted an exception for cause by the administering agency, has enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student graduated from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program, or if the student joins the armed forces of the United States upon graduation has enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date that the student graduated from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program. 

(ii) Effective for the 2020-2021 award year and thereafter, the administering agency may, by rule, provide for an earlier or later initial enrollment date. 

(c) Has no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations and, if the student has been in the armed forces of the United States and has separated from such service, has received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. 

B. (1) To continue such grant, the student shall meet all of the following requirements: 

(a) Maintain continuous enrollment as a full-time student unless granted an exception for cause by the administering agency. 

(b) Make steady progress as defined by the administering agency toward completion of the requirements of the program in which enrolled earning not less than the minimum hours of credit required for full-time standing or the required number of hours needed to complete the program’s requirements. 

(c) Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 calculated on a 4.00 scale. 

(d) Have no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations and, if the student has been in the armed forces of the United States and has separated from such service, has received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. 

(2) If at any time a student fails to maintain the cumulative grade point average required for continuation of the grant or as of the end of any term during the school year fails to make steady progress as defined by the administering agency, the student shall become ineligible for further tuition grant payments. Payments may be reinstated upon attainment of the grade point average required for continuation of the tuition grant and the standards for steady progress, provided that the student has maintained other continuation requirements and the period of ineligibility did not persist for more than one year from the date of loss of eligibility. 

C. No student shall be eligible for a tuition grant pursuant to this Section for more than two years unless an extension is granted by the administering agency in accordance with its rules. 

Added by Acts 2003, No. 826, § 1, eff. July 1, 2003. Amended by Acts 2019, No. 402, § 1, eff. Aug. 1, 2019.