The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Present law provides as follows relative to the dollar amount awarded to Taylor Opportunity
Program (TOPS) recipients of Opportunity, Performance, or Honors awards:
(1)For a recipient who attends a La. public college or university to pursue an academic
undergraduate degree or skill or occupational training, the amount is an amount
determined by the La. Student Financial Assistance Commission (LASFAC) to equal the
tuition charged by the college or university attended.
(2)For a recipient who attends an eligible state nonpublic college or university, the amount is
an amount determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average amount of amounts
paid for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount determined by LASFAC to
equal the weighted average of amounts paid for students attending public colleges and
universities who are enrolled in permitted skill or occupational training, as applicable.
(3)For a recipient who is eligible to use the award at an out-of-state nonpublic college or
university to pursue an academic undergraduate degree, the amount is an amount
determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average of amounts paid for students
attending La. public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees.
(4)Provides an additional $200 per semester, or $400 per academic year, to a recipient of a
Performance Award, and provides an additional $400 per semester, or $800 per academic
year, to a recipient of an Honors Award.
Relative to the dollar amount of a TOPS-Tech Award, present law provides as follows:
(1)For a recipient who attends an eligible La. public college or university that does not offer
an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher to pursue permitted
skill or occupational training, the amount equals the actual cost of tuition.
(2)For a recipient who attends any other eligible postsecondary education institution, the
amount equals the weighted average of amounts paid for students attending public
institutions.
Proposed law provides that, beginning with the 2013-2014 award year and thereafter:
(1)The maximum TOPS award amount for a student who enrolls in any state public college
or university shall not exceed the amount determined by the administering agency to
equal the award amount paid at that public college or university for the 2012-2013 award year plus ten percent.
(2)The maximum TOPS award amount for a student who enrolls in an eligible state
nonpublic college or university shall not exceed the award amount determined by the
administering agency to equal the weighted average amounts awarded for students
attending public colleges and universities in the state for the 2012-2013 award year, plus
ten percent.
(3)Retains payment of the supplemental amounts established in present law for a recipient of
a Performance or Honors award.
Proposed law provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and every other year
thereafter, the administering agency shall consider any adjustments necessary to align TOPS
award amounts with the Higher Education Price Index and recommend any such adjustments to
the legislature for approval during legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3048.1(Y))