Calling all Education Advocates!
State Representative Matthew Willard graciously sponsored legislation that we presented to him. It has become HB52 of the 2025 legislative session!
The Cowen Institute has strategized and organized, and now, we need YOU to mobilize! Below are two ways to support the legislation. Please complete the form below to confirm your involvement.
In-Person
When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 (9:00 AM)
Where: Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge
Who: You and any Louisiana high school senior or graduate who is willing to advocate in support of high schools helping students with accessing grants and scholarships.
How: Submit a green witness card of support or a white witness card of neutrality for HB No. 52 that specifies your support of students receiving in-school help and education about applying for scholarships, grants, and loans to fund education after high school. Resource: Citizen’s Guide to House Committee Meetings
Note: The bill is second on the agenda (~9:30 AM). Once it’s discussed and voted on by the House Education Committee, we are free to go about our day. You may also stay longer to be more immersed in the legislative process and visit the hearings of various committees.
Virtually
When: Any time before 11:59 PM Tuesday, April 22, 2025
How: Via email to h-educ@legis.la.gov + BCC nola_ccan@tulane.edu
Relevant talking points are bulleted below.
Who: You and any Louisiana high school senior or graduate who is willing to advocate in support of high schools helping students with accessing grants and scholarships.
Students are encouraged to detail how in-school financial aid support was crucial to their understanding, access, and award of grants, scholarships, and wise loan decisions (if applicable).
Note: Statements submitted concerning a specific instrument or matter under consideration by the committee or concerning any matter within the committee's scope of authority, and the information contained therein, are public records and subject to disclosure pursuant to public records laws.
The Why:
Students are more likely to apply for grants, scholarships, and loans when they have the in-school support to do so prior to graduation.
Education after high school for many Louisianans simply wouldn’t be attainable without financial aid—many of the funding sources from the federal government.
College affordability increases the pursuit of postsecondary education, which increases the GDP and home values in Louisiana, improves incomes, expands the tax base, and generates more jobs throughout the economy (source with specific numbers).
Maintain the relevance and awareness of FAFSA in Louisiana high schools.
Louisiana finished #2 in the nation for FAFSA completions in 2024; as of 4/11/25, Louisiana is #28.
For the high school class 0f 2024, $47 million went unclaimed by Louisiana students who were eligible but did not complete the FAFSA.
For more education bills to watch, click here. *Email nola_ccan@tulane.edu if you have questions or to possibly carpool.*