House Bill No. 109, introduced by Representative Thompson, amends the Geaux Teach Program's scholarship award provisions. The bill modifies the order in which scholarship funds are applied, changing the requirement from using the scholarships only after all other state or institutional financial aid and awards have been applied, to requiring that the scholarships be used before applying any other financial aid. This adjustment aims to streamline the funding process for students enrolled in approved teacher preparation programs at postsecondary institutions.

The specific legal language changes include the deletion of the phrase "only after" and the insertion of "before" in the relevant statute, R.S. 17:7.6(G). Additionally, the bill removes the stipulation that scholarships can only be used for "any remaining balance due for" tuition, required fees, and instructional materials, thereby clarifying that the awards are applicable directly to these costs. This legislative change is intended to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of financial support for aspiring educators in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB109 Original: 17:6(G)
HB109 Engrossed: 17:6(G)