TITLE 17. EDUCATION

CHAPTER 20-B-2. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HIGHER EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM

17:3042.22     Loans for students committing to become law enforcement officers

A. In addition to all other powers and duties of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, the commission or its successor may make loans to a student who meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is a bona fide citizen and resident of the state.

(2) Commits to becoming a commissioned law enforcement officer within the state of Louisiana and has been accepted to enroll in a public or independent college or university in this state.

(3)(a) Has a score on the American College Test or the Scholastic Aptitude Test which is, or is the equivalent of, an eighteen on the 1989 edition of the American College Test, or

(b) Has a score on the American College Test or the Scholastic Aptitude Test which is, or is the equivalent of, an eighteen on the 1989 edition of the American College Test and a cumulative high school grade point average of at least three and no-hundredths on a four point scale, or

(c) Has a college or university grade point average of at least three and no-hundredths on a four point scale.

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

B. The authority of the commission to make loans to persons eligible as provided in this Chapter shall be exercised in accordance with and be subject to the provisions of this Chapter. In addition, the provisions of R.S. 17:3021, 3022, 3023(A)(3), (6), (8), (9), and (11), 3023.6, 3023.7, and 3023.8 shall be applicable to the administration and implementation of this Chapter. The provisions of R.S. 17:3023(A)(1), (2), (4), (5), (7), and (10), 3023.1, 3023.3, 3023.4, 3023.4.1, 3023.8.1, 3023.9, 3024, 3024.1, 3024.2, 3030, 3031, 3035, 3036, and 3036.1 shall not be applicable to the administration and implementation of this Chapter.

C. The commission may make a loan to each applicant it deems to be qualified upon such terms and conditions as the commission may impose in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

D. Any student to whom the commission has made a loan shall be required to maintain a cumulative college grade point average of at least three and no-hundredths on a four point scale. The commission, by rule, may provide exceptions to this grade point average requirement for a period not exceeding one school year. The commission, by rule, also may provide that a loan made to a student who leaves school for not in excess of one school year for reasons specified by rule may be continued at the discretion of the commission.

E. It shall be the duty of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission or its successor, hereinafter referred to in this Chapter as "the commission", to:

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

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

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

F. The commission may prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this Chapter.

G. (1) There shall be an advisory committee of law enforcement officers to advise the commission regarding the conduct of this program. The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation.

(2) The members of the advisory committee shall be as follows:

(a) One state policeman selected by the superintendent of the state police.

(b) Two police officers selected by the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association.

(c) Two sheriffs selected by the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association.

Added by Acts 1990, No. 898, Sec. 1, eff. July 25, 1990.