re: Note to Out of State Alums

My daughter starts college about this time next near. Her mom, me, and her step mom all have degrees from LSU, and me/her step mom still live here. She will graduate high school in Texas. When the rumblings of this cut first started, I was really upset by it, but after talking to some of those "in the know" folks down there, I really don't think it will affect all of the students that would have received Legacy scholarships.

It's my understanding that for the strongest students, out of state tuition can just be wavied - poof - it's gone.

As many posters know, scholarships/grants, etc, run through that FASFA clearing house. Many kids that were getting out of state Legacy scholarships would have made up at least a piece of that money through others monies found via the clearing house. I realize that's not a guarantee, but I'm just saying don't panic just yet. Let the clearinghouse/fasfa run it's course, then determine how much this loss of funding really hurts you.

In my case, LSU is last on my daughter's list (I know - shitty parenting obviously), but really, don't freak out just yet, out of state applicants. Maybe it won't affect you that bad.

quote:

---

It's my understanding that for the strongest students, out of state tuition can just be wavied - poof - it's gone.

---

true...several scholarships are automatic based on ACT/GPA scores.

quote:

---

So, you give all this money to your alma matta but you're going to all of a sudden quit because they didn't offer your kid an OOS tuition waiver? LSU doesn't owe you anything, it sounds like you give your money for a purpose...athletic tickets

---

At no point did I say I was not going to allow my daughter to attend LSU or stop giving. I was just commenting on the timing and implementation of the announcements in general. And I have been giving to the tradition fund before I ever "had to give". Basketball season tickets did not have tradition fund requirements until two years ago.

I know for a fact that McNeese and Lamar have OOS waivers for students in their respective areas; i.e. Southwest Louisiana students can receive OOS waivers to attend Lamar and Southeast Texas students can receive OOS waivers to attend McNeese.

quote:

---

They put no tax money into the State...then they LEAVE. What money has the tax payer seen for his 1/3 investment? None.

---

first of all, do you have stats on how many actually leave, what about in-state students that leave? Second, my wife and I owned a house and worked 12 years in Louisiana before we moved. Hell, I may buy a small house in BR before it's said and done.

I certainly have empathy for the budget woes and understand doing away with this program...but the implication that somehow OOS kids of alums are stealing from Louisiana is a bit over the top.

quote:

---

Sounds like a rational thinking to me....if someone lives out of state, they are NOT paying Louisiana taxes and should have to pay the same as anyone else not paying Louisiana taxes.

Grow up people....

---

So on the flip side...since I put my kids in private school can I refuse to pay the portion of my real estate taxes that fund the school board? That would be a nice big refund over the past 21 years of home ownership.

I'm sure you answer is "No" because obviously putting my kids in private school was my position I am in a good position that I can afford it. Fact of the matter is, LSU was, until recently, in a financial position where they could reward their alumni with these Bengal Legacy scholarships. Fortunately my son got the Bengal Legacy scholarship right before they ended the program and LSU has honored it. I also have the Florida Pre-paid College Tuition plan for all of my kids. My son forfeited the FL version (Bright Futures) of the TOPS award to attend LSU. He could go to any FL school including room & board for probably less than $3,000 a year. It costs me probably $18K a year at LSU. His semester fee bill last week (for tuition and fees only)after the Bengal Legacy scholarship and the FL Pre-paid were applied was till about $2,800 because of the tuition differential between FL and LA and 25% of the non-resident fee. Unfortunately, my daughter who is an outstanding student and graduatesy this coming May has accepted the fact that she will probably have to got to UF or FSU. Fact of the matter is that LSU is better off getting 25% of the non-resident fee than admitting an in state student. I'm not saying that is fair. I'm sure there are some pissed off LA parents whose kids didn't get into LSU that weren't happy about OOS students getting 75% off the non-resident fee.

quote:

---

first of all, do you have stats on how many actually leave, what about in-state students that leave?

---

If I could have any stat, I would like to know what other State subsidized schools have these alumni waivers.

quote:

---

I certainly have empathy for the budget woes and understand doing away with this program...but the implication that somehow OOS kids of alums are stealing from Louisiana is a bit over the top.

---

Stealing? Not at all. You can't steal something that's given to you. I think that its not in the University's best position to offer freely OOS Legacy tuition waivers.

I have three friends that graduated with me that had OOS Legacy Tuition waivers. Two from Georgia, one from Tennessee. None live in LA. All moved away. Their parents havent lived in LA since the 70s. No, I don't think they should have received a waiver when that [lost] money could have gone to rewarding scholastic achievement.

quote:

---

Unfortunately, my daughter who is an outstanding student and graduatesy this coming May has accepted the fact that she will probably have to got to UF or FSU

---

Why? If your daughter is an outstanding student, she would get one of the automatic ACT/GPA scholarships available.

Flagship Scholars Award

Criteria: ACT score of 33 to 36 or a critical reading and math SAT score of 1440 to 1600 AND a 3.0 cumulative computed, six semester high school GPA. (not selected as a Chancellor’s Alumni Scholar)

Award: $13,000 per year plus the opportunity to earn up to an additional $1550 by participating in the Chancellor’s Student Aide Program.


That brings your Out of State tuition to $3,184/semester, $4 higher than the current resident tuition.

So, if your daughter is that outstanding, she can nullify the loss of the Bengal Legacy scholarship.

While so many are focusing on the OOS Legacy Program, LSU has plans for you in state people as well. I just wonder how citizens of a state with income averages ranked second lowest in the country are going to find a way to pay tution and fees similar to its southern peers like Georgia and Florida (approximately $4,500 per semester) as described in the LSU plan.

If you think Martin is only focusing on OOS, think again. He has now turned his stepping stone at LSU to the in state people as well. Martin is a very engaging individual and could probably do standup comedy if he chooses.

See the facts below and look at his press conference on Youtube at the 17:30 mark.

THE LSU PLAN FOR GREATER IMPACT ON LOUISIANA
The financial problems of the State of Louisiana for Fiscal Years 2011, 2012, and 2013 will cause
additional funding reductions for state agency and higher education budgets. To best prepare LSU for these significant budgetary challenges, the University is implementing the “LSU Plan for Greater Impact on Louisiana”, a strategy to position the University for the next three years and beyond. Several aspects of the LSU Plan are consistent with the Executive Budget and the LA Grad Act that Governor Jindal.

Financial Goal for Autonomy:
Minimum of $14 million net increase in tuition/fee revenue annually.
LSU requires greater authority and autonomy over its operational variables so it may provide
the best educational value to the students and citizens of Louisiana.

A. Tuition and Fee Authority

1. Amount of Increase – LSU needs the ability to charge students a sufficient rate to
maintain a quality classroom experience. Tuition and fees remain the primary means to
counteract reductions in state funding. Governor Jindal’s proposed LA Grad Act would
permit a 10% annual increase in tuition, which is an amount more closely reflecting
what LSU will need in the upcoming years.

2. Peer Analysis – LSU seeks to increase tuition and fees to a rate that is similar to its peers.
LSU’s current tuition and fees are $2,761 per year less than the average of its peers.

-----------------------------------

Martin Press Conference

Good Luck to all in Louisiana, but I don't see a future in Martin's OOS or IS plans. I only see it bettering Martin and not the people of Louisiana.

LSU's instate fees are cheap as hell. They should be raising them. Probably the cheapest for instate students of schools equal size and caliber.

quote:

---

CajunRevolution

---

You still have not responded to my earlier post. I'll repeat it here for your convenience.

quote:

---

An important thing to keep in mind is that people receiving this scholarship still had to pay 25% of tuition not covered by the non-res exemption, which ends up being the same amount of $ as in-state tuition (~4k). Out of state students pay this out of pocket, while in state students receive money from TOPS -- the state pays for them.

---

The enormous majority of LSU students pay NOTHING in tuition via TOPS. The state takes care of 100%. So it could be argued that OOS students are the ONLY ones paying tuition.