Louisiana Colleges to Soon Offer Digital Student IDs

LOUISIANA - Louisiana college students may soon be able to leave one more plastic card at home.

Beginning August 1, colleges and universities across Louisiana will have the option to offer digital student identification cards through LA Wallet, making it easier for students to access campus services right from their smartphones. The change comes after a new Louisiana law was approved during the 2026 legislative session.

A Simpler Way to Carry Your Student ID

If you've ever forgotten your student ID but remembered your phone, this new option could be a game changer.

The new law allows Louisiana's four public higher education systems to decide whether they want to participate in the digital ID program through LA Wallet. Instead of carrying a physical student ID card, students at participating schools could use their phones to verify their identity and access campus services.

From laillumunator.com -

A new law goes into effect Aug. 1 that gives the state’s four higher education management systems the ability to opt-in to offering digital student IDs. The law was sponsored by Sen. Larry Selders, D-Baton Rouge, who died suddenly this month.

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Which Louisiana Colleges Could Offer Digital IDs?

The legislation applies to Louisiana's four public higher education systems:

LSU System
University of Louisiana System
Southern University System
Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)

Each school system can choose whether to implement digital student IDs, meaning the rollout could happen at different times depending on the school.

(Photo by Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images)

What Is LA Wallet?

LA Wallet is Louisiana's official digital credential app that already allows residents to carry several important documents on their phones, including:

Louisiana driver's licenses
Vehicle registration
Medicaid insurance cards
Vaccination records
Hunting and fishing licenses
Certain state-issued permits

The app is already accepted at TSA airport security checkpoints, many government buildings, and other approved locations.

When Will Students Be Able To Use Digital IDs?

Although the law officially takes effect on August 1, students shouldn't expect every campus to offer digital IDs immediately according to WAFB.com.

Currently, Louisiana colleges that will be participating in the new digital IDs are still evaluating the costs.

According to the laillumunator.com, the costs to offer digital student IDs through LA Wallet could cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

For students, that could mean one less card to carry and one more reason to keep everything they need in one place.

Louisiana’s 6 Best Private Schools Ranked

For many Louisiana parents, choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions they'll make for their children. While public schools educate the majority of students across the state, private schools continue to attract families looking for smaller class sizes, college-preparatory programs, faith-based education, and specialized learning opportunities.

With hundreds of private schools operating throughout Louisiana, a handful consistently stand out for academic excellence, student success, college placement rates, extracurricular opportunities, and overall reputation.

U.S. News & World Report has released their list of what they say are the 6 best private schools in Louisiana

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott

Source: Louisiana Colleges Will Soon Offer Digital Student IDs