Office of the President
The Special Session Clock is Ticking!
With the clock quickly ticking on special session, I want to make sure you, Grambling Students, Faculty and Staff, Alumni, and Friends, are aware that still lurking in the budget is the largest midyear cut to higher education in the state’s history. Even with the revenue-raising measures passed by the House of Representatives, some already approved and others waiting for approval by the upper chamber, a $75 million cut for higher education remains. Not only will universities receive a $42 million reduction in state funding but they will also not receive TOPS payments made on behalf of every student on TOPS. We implore you to continue to consider options to fix this gap for higher education before March 9.
No other state in the nation has cut funding to higher education more than Louisiana. Since 2008, Louisiana’s colleges and campuses have had 13 midyear cuts, three in the last 90 days. According to the Southern Regional Education Board, students enrolled in Louisiana colleges and universities receive the lowest state funding in the South. While students in surrounding states receive an average of close to $6,000 in state funding per student, Louisiana students receive only $3,200. To make up the difference, Louisiana has increased tuition 99 percent, however, even with rapidly increasing tuition costs, Louisiana continues to fall short of funding compared to every other Southern state.
Louisiana already ranks as one of the most uneducated states in the nation, ranking 48th in educational attainment or citizens with a two-year or four-year degree. Educating the citizens of our state is an investment, not a cost. On average, those with college degrees pay twice as many taxes annually as those who conclude education with a high school diploma.
Thank you for your support of Grambling State University and higher education and we look forward to working with you to ensure Louisiana has a stable and sustainable funding source for higher education so our Grambling State University and other institutions can focus on educating our citizens rather than how to trim budgets.
P.O. Box 607.403 Main Street • Grambling, LA 71245 • Office: (318) 274-6117 • Fax: (318) 274-6172 • www.gram.edu
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