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LCTCS board votes to remove tuition cap for 13–15 credit hours; system staff estimate roughly $5 million in additional revenue
Summary
After extensive debate about student affordability and completion, the LCTCS Board approved removing the tuition cap for students taking 13–15 credit hours, aligning those hours with the standard per-credit hourly rate and requiring colleges to set aside 10% of added revenue for institutional aid.
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors voted June 11 to remove the long-standing tuition cap that froze student charges for 13–15 credit hours, replacing the cap and the excess-credit fee with the system’s standard per-credit hourly tuition rate.
System staff told the board that, spread across the 12 colleges, the change could generate roughly $5 million in additional revenue annually; under existing board policy, colleges must dedicate 10% of new tuition revenue to institutional aid to help students with demonstrated need.
The proposal touched off an extended discussion. Several board members and student representatives warned of potential financial stress on students who habitually enroll for heavier course loads—often to accelerate credential completion or to accommodate compressed/accelerated program schedules. A student board member said she takes 13–15 hours during accelerated terms and urged caution, saying the board should “hear more of the students’ voice” and ensure institutional aid safeguards are robust.
System presenters and chancellors described mitigations: colleges already operate financial-aid and hardship-waiver processes, and board policy would require colleges to add 10% of any new tuition revenue into institutional-aid pools. Staff also noted a high proportion of LCTCS students receive federal Pell grants, and federal policy changes under discussion could further offset any added costs for qualifying students.
Supporters argued the change simplifies billing and captures missed revenue opportunities without raising the base tuition rate; board staff noted the system has not raised base tuition in roughly a decade. Opponents asked that chancellors monitor impacts on student progression and return with further data if unintended barriers emerge.
After debate, the board passed the staff recommendation to remove the 13–15 credit-hour cap and align BRCC’s tuition rate with the rest of the system where applicable. Board members asked staff to monitor student impact and to ensure institutional-aid plans address any adverse effects.
The change is effective for the 2025–26 academic year; colleges must implement institutional-aid adjustments consistent with board policy.
