1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

This Senate budget proposal will negatively impact professional and graduate education, disproportionately affecting middle-class students and families. Imposing limits of $100,000 for graduate borrowing and $200,000 for professional programs like medical school is short-sighted and detrimental. These caps fail to account for the significant costs associated with advanced degrees that lead to high-earning careers benefiting society. This legislation threatens to price out talented students from valuable educational opportunities simply due to their financial circumstances. Institutions like Tulane University and Louisiana State University are crucial drivers of economic growth and professional development within the state. Curtailing access to financing options will hinder their ability to attract top students and produce highly-skilled graduates who contribute to Louisiana's workforce and overall prosperity. Rather than arbitrary borrowing limits that close doors, a more balanced approach supporting affordable, quality education across all levels is needed to cultivate a thriving local economy and community.