Louisiana GI Bill Tuition and Residency Requirements

Louisiana GI Bill Tuition Rates

Changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill in 2011 mean your state of residence may play a big role in determining your tuition benefits. Under the most recent changes, known as GI Bill 2.0, tuition benefits at public schools are capped at the rate charged to in-state students. If you opt to attend school as an out-of-state student, you may be responsible for the difference; understanding how Louisiana determines residency status may be key to deciding how to use your GI Bill benefits.

Louisiana Residency Requirements for Military Personnel

Each Louisiana university system treats military personnel slightly different for residency purposes. The University of Louisiana considers full-time servicemembers stationed in Louisiana, as well as their spouses and dependents, to be residents of the state. Louisiana State University grants these individuals temporary resident status, which also makes them eligible for in-state tuition rates. Similar benefits are available at the Southern University System colleges and schools in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.

The University of Louisiana also allows full-time servicemembers stationed in the state and their dependents to enroll as residents for up to six months after discharge. This exemption is only available to service members who were stationed in Louisiana for at least a year.

Additionally, veterans have special rights to enroll as resident students after their discharge. Louisiana State University allows individuals who were residents at the time of their induction into the Armed Forces to retain their residency for up to five years after their discharge date. Similarly, the University of Louisiana allows state residents to maintain their residency for up to two years after their discharge.

How to Apply for Louisiana Residency

Military personnel not qualifying under the above guidelines need to meet general residency requirements, which requires one year of residency in the state prior to enrollment in classes. There is no formal application process by which military personnel are considered for residency. Instead, each university registrar or admissions office makes a determination after reviewing a student's application. If a student disagrees with their classification, the decision may be appealed to a university appeals committee.

Other Tuition Benefits in Louisiana

Members of the Louisiana National Guard are exempt from tuition at any state-funded university, college or technical school. The exemption is good for up to five years or the completion of a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.

Surviving spouses and dependents of service members killed or disabled in the line of duty may also be eligible for a tuition exemption at state institutions under the state's Dependents Educational Assistance program. More details on these benefits are available from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

GIBill.com has done its best to ensure that the above information is accurate. However, GIBill.com cannot guarantee its accuracy and encourages you to check with your school for its residency requirements to qualify for in-state tuition.