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Board of Regents approves $142.3 million supplemental request in FY25–26 operating ask
Summary
The Board of Regents approved a FY25–26 state operating budget request that adds $142.3 million in recurring funding and targeted investments for dual enrollment, student supports and campus safety after staff outlined a $765 million gap to reach full funding for higher education.
The Louisiana Board of Regents on Wednesday approved its FY25–26 state general fund operating budget request, a package senior staff said would add $142.3 million in recurring funding and selected targeted investments.
Senior staff told the board the current state general fund support across higher education is about $1.3 billion and that fully funding formula needs would require roughly $2.1 billion, leaving a gap of about $765 million. Board staff recommended a more modest request that includes $89 million for institutional stability (including a $59 million formula increase and $30 million for specialized institutions) and $53.3 million in targeted requests.
"That gives some flexibility to let us grow if there’s additional money, but also to protect us if we can’t," said an operations staff presenter during the budget briefing.
The targeted request includes $20 million for expanded dual-enrollment capacity, increases for Foster Scholars and Go Grants, $10.5 million for Foster Scholars (moving that program total to $21 million), $10 million for Go Grants (need-based assistance), $10.5 million for National Cancer Institute designation work (in partnership with Tulane and other institutions), $2.3 million for Patriot Scholars (in coordination with National Guard partners), and smaller requests for cybersecurity, campus-safety assessments, textbook affordability and a $1 million expansion of hunger-free campus initiatives.
Board members pressed staff on the state’s per-capita higher-education funding and outcomes. "Louisiana’s last among 16 states with per capita funding of $244.97," one regent said during discussion, adding that affordability is the primary barrier to college enrollment.
After discussion, Regent David moved to approve the budget request and Regent Creed seconded; the board voted in favor.
The approved request will be transmitted to lawmakers as the Regents’ formal proposal for the upcoming legislative budget process. Regents staff said the package attempts to balance long-term formula needs with short-term targeted investments that support workforce alignment and student success.
What’s next: staff will distribute the formal request to the legislature and follow up with more detailed language and program-level explanations prior to the January budget cycle.
