HLS 13RS-1138 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 612
BY REPRESENTATIVE GREENE
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Permits use of TOPS awards at eligible La.
institutions by otherwise qualified students who graduated from out-of-state colleges
or universities
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:3048.1(Y), relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to2
provide for the use of awards at eligible Louisiana institutions by otherwise qualified3
students who enroll as first-time students in and graduate from an out-of-state4
college or university; to provide for the use of awards by such students to pursue a5
postgraduate academic degree; to provide conditions and limitations; to provide for6
award amounts; to provide for effectiveness; to provide an effective date; and to7
provide for related matters.8
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:9
Section 1. R.S. 17:3048.1(Y) is hereby enacted to read as follows:10
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration11
* * *12
Y.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, an13
otherwise qualified student who meets each of the following conditions and who first14
enrolls as a full-time student in an out-of-state college or university and remains in15
and graduates from an out-of-state college or university may use the program award16
provided for by this Section to pursue a postgraduate academic degree at an eligible17
institution provided that the student continues to meet all academic and other18
requirements provided by this Section and by rule of the administering agency for19 HLS 13RS-1138 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 612
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
continued receipt of the award as an undergraduate except as such requirements,1
including requirements provided by this Section for undergraduate students, may be2
modified by the administering agency as necessary to apply such requirements to3
postgraduate study:4
(a) The student has been determined by the administering agency to meet the5
initial eligibility requirements established by this Section for an Opportunity,6
Performance, or Honors award.7
(b) The student graduated from an out-of-state college or university and the8
out-of-state college or university is accredited by a regional accrediting organization9
recognized by the United States Department of Education.10
(c) While enrolled in such an out-of-state college or university the student11
met all requirements of this Section that would have been applicable to such student12
for continuation of the initial award if the student had enrolled in an eligible college13
or university in Louisiana.14
(d) The student graduated from high school during the 2008-2009 school15
year or thereafter.16
(2) The amount of the award benefits relative to tuition as provided for in17
this Subsection shall not exceed the amounts determined by the administering agency18
to equal the tuition charged for the postgraduate study or for undergraduate full-time19
enrollment charged by the highest cost public college university in the state,20
whichever amount is less.21
(3) A student may receive the award under this Subsection for the number22
of semesters authorized by Subsection H of this Section, provided that the number23
of semesters shall be reduced as required by Subsection C of this Section.24
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not25
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature26
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If27
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become28
effective on the day following such approval.29 HLS 13RS-1138 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 612
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Greene HB No. 612
Abstract: Permits use of TOPS awards to pursue a postgraduate academic degree at eligible
La. institutions by otherwise qualified students who enroll as first-time students in
and graduate from out-of-state colleges or universities.
Proposed law, relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), adds that
notwithstanding present law to the contrary, an otherwise qualified student who meets each
of the following conditions and who first enrolls as a full-time student in an out-of-state
college or university and remains in and graduates from an out-of-state college or university
may use the program award to pursue a postgraduate academic degree at an eligible
institution if the student continues to meet all academic and other requirements for continued
receipt of the award as an undergraduate except as such requirements are modified by the
administering agency to apply to postgraduate study:
(1)The student meets the initial eligibility requirements for an Opportunity,
Performance, or Honors award.
(2)The student graduated from an out-of-state college or university accredited by a
regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
(3)While enrolled in such an out-of-state college or university, the student met all
requirements that would have been applicable to such student for continuation of the
initial award if the student had enrolled in an eligible La. college or university.
(4)The student graduated from high school during the 2008-2009 school year or
thereafter.
Provides that the amount of the tuition award shall not exceed the amounts determined by
the administering agency to equal the tuition charged for the postgraduate study or for
undergraduate full-time enrollment charged by the highest cost public college university in
the state, whichever is less. Permits student to receive the award for the number of semesters
authorized by present law (no more than eight semesters or its equivalent), as reduced
pursuant to present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3048.1(Y))