By Greg Hilburn, Lafayette Daily Advertiser, published on June 25, 2021.
Louisiana adults will be able to access grants to pay for education for high-demand, high-paying careers beginning next summer at the state’s community and technical colleges after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the MJ Foster Promise program into law.
Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan describes the program as “TOPS for grown folks,” referring to the state’s popular college tuition program.
But unlike TOPS, there are no academic requirements for securing the grants beginning next summer. “It’s an exciting day,” Sullivan told USA Today Network. “It’s going to make an impact on generations to come.”
Applicants must only be 21 or older and enroll in programs supporting five growing industry sectors — construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and transportation and logistics.
Republican Senate President Page Cortez’s Senate Bill 148 — now Act 457 — was named after the late former Gov. Mike Foster, who is considered the father of the state’s community college system. Foster died earlier this year. “The MJ Foster Promise Program is the first of its kind in our state’s history and will provide opportunity and access to jobs for thousands of Louisianans,” Cortez said. “Employers across the state are seeking skilled workers who often lack the resources they need for training.
“I’m proud to author this landmark legislation that bridges that gap, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on our economy and the future of our state.”
Eligible training can range from a two-year associate nursing degree to a 10-week commercial driving course. Sullivan said the maximum $6,400 award will cover all of the eligible training and degree programs “without having to come out of their pocket.” “It’s a transformational opportunity more for 1.1 million adults in our state whose education and training is a high school diploma or less,” Sullivan said.
The Legislature will fund the program with $10.5 million annually.
