Relative to Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, provides for award dollar amounts (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Impact
The bill modifies the existing framework for financial assistance to students, aligning it with annual adjustment practices. It retains certain supplemental amounts for Performance and Honors award recipients. The new structure allows the Board of Regents to make informed recommendations based on trends in tuition rates, potentially providing more equitable support to students at public colleges and universities as well as independent institutions within the state. The role of the LSFAC remains significant in ensuring that the amounts awarded reflect actual costs and changes in educational financing.
Summary
House Bill 841 seeks to amend provisions related to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) concerning the monetary amounts awarded to qualifying students in Louisiana. It stipulates that starting from the 2013-2014 academic year, the award amounts shall be determined by the Board of Regents in consultation with the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission (LSFAC) as part of its Tuition and Financial Aid Policy. This change aims to provide a consistent framework for calculating award amounts applicable to students pursuing higher education across various institutions within the state.
Sentiment
Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 841 appears to be supportive, especially among educational stakeholders who emphasize the need for financial support within the framework of Louisiana's higher education funding. Limiting the amount to be determined and reviewed annually promotes transparency and accountability. However, there may be concerns from some quarters regarding the adequacy of the awards relative to rising education costs, which could affect student accessibility and choice, particularly for those considering independent institutions.
Contention
Debates surrounding the bill primarily focus on the efficacy of adopting a centrally determined award system. Critics may argue that a sole reliance on state-level decisions could overlook unique funding needs of regional colleges or changes in local economic conditions. Advocates, however, contend that centralization improves consistency and reduces the potential for disparities in funding between institutions. Ensuring that adjustments are proposed well in advance signifies a proactive approach to educational funding, although the actual adequacy of these adjustments remains a point of interest.
Provides relative to Taylor Opportunity Program for Students award payments for first-time recipients qualifying on or after July 1, 2017 (OR -$7,662,000 GF EX See Note)
Provides for differential Taylor Opportunity Program for Students award amounts for certain students based on their classification level (OR DECREASE GF EX See Note)
Relative to TOPS and academic excellence fees assessed by LSU; provides with respect to certain minimum criteria for eligibility, to authorized uses of program funds, to repayment of award amounts in certain circumstances, and to establishment of baseline award amounts; repeals waiver of academic excellence fees assessed by LSU (OR +$17,600,000 SG RV See Note)
Provides that students may use TOPS-Tech awards only for those degrees and programs that the Bd. of Regents and the La. Workforce Investment Council determine are aligned with state workforce priorities (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Provides that a five-point scale shall be used when calculating the grade point average for certain honors courses and talented courses. (gov sig) (EN +$1,240,000 GF EX See Note)