HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1023
BY REPRESENTATIVE KLECKLEY
STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Provides relative to Taylor Opportunity Program for
Students award payments and eligibility criteria
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(i), (2), and (5)(b)(i), and (H)(3)(c), and to2
enact R.S. 17:3048.1(Y); relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students;3
to provide relative to award amounts; to provide relative to payment of awards; to4
provide relative to eligibility requirements for awards; to provide an effective date;5
and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Taylor Opportunity8
Program for Students-Performance, Accountability, and Tuition Sustainability (TOPS-9
PATS) Act".10
Section 2. R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(i), (2), and (5)(b)(i), and (H)(3)(c) are hereby11
amended and reenacted and R.S. 17:3048.1(Y) is hereby enacted to read as follows:12
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration13
A.(1) As part of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, the14
state shall financially assist any student who enrolls on a full-time basis in a public15
college or university in this state or a regionally accredited independent college or16
university in the state that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent17
Colleges and Universities, hereafter in this Chapter referred to collectively as18
"eligible colleges and universities", to pursue an academic undergraduate degree or,19
as provided by this Subsection, skill or occupational training as defined by the Board20 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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of Regents, including a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma1
program or a nonacademic undergraduate degree, and who meets the qualifications2
of Subparagraph (b), (c), or (d) of this Paragraph and all of the applicable following3
qualifications:4
* * *5
(b)(i) Has been certified as provided in Subsection D of this Section to have6
graduated from a public high school or a nonpublic high school which has been7
approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, has a8
minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 calculated on a 4.00 scale for9
students graduating during the 2016-2017 school year or before, or 2.75 for students10
graduating during the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 school years, or 3.0 for11
students graduating during the 2020-2021 school year or thereafter, has a composite12
score on the 1990 version of the American College Test which is at least equal to or13
higher than the state's average composite score, rounded to the nearest whole14
number, reported for the prior year but never less than twenty for students graduating15
during the 2016-2017 school year or before, never less than twenty-two for students16
graduating during the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 school years, and17
never less than twenty-four for students graduating during the 2020-2021 school year18
or thereafter or an equivalent concordant value on an enhanced or revised version of19
such test or on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, and, unless granted an exception for20
cause by the administering agency, has enrolled in an eligible college or university21
as a first-time freshman not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or22
sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student23
graduated from high school or, if the student joins the United States Armed Forces24
within one year after graduating from high school, has enrolled in an eligible college25
or university as a first-time freshman not later than the semester, excluding summer26
semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date that27
the student graduated from high school; however, effective for the 1996-1997 school28
year and thereafter, if, on or prior to the fifth anniversary of the date that the student29 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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graduated from high school, the student reenlists in the United States Armed Forces1
and maintains continuous active duty, the five-year period shall be extended to the2
semester immediately following the one-year anniversary of the student's separation3
from active duty service. As distinguished from all other students qualifying for this4
program, a student who meets the requirements of this Subparagraph shall be the5
recipient of an "Opportunity Award" for the purposes of this program.6
* * *7
(2)(a) Any student who applies for an Opportunity Award in accordance with8
Subparagraph (A)(1)(b), who enrolled in any public college or university in the state9
to pursue an academic undergraduate degree or skill or occupational training,10
including a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma program or a11
nonacademic undergraduate degree, and who meets the qualifications enumerated12
in Subparagraphs (A)(1)(a), (e), and (f), shall be awarded by the state an amount13
determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition charged by the public14
college or university attended in the state pursuant to Subsection Y of this Section.15
(b) For any student who meets such qualifications and applies for an16
Opportunity Award in accordance with Subparagraph (A)(1)(b), who has enrolled17
at any regionally accredited independent college or university in the state which is18
a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to19
pursue an academic undergraduate degree or skill or occupational training, including20
a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma program or a nonacademic21
undergraduate degree, the state shall award an amount to be determined by the22
administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this23
Section for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic24
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount to be determined by25
the administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this26
Section for students attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in27
the permitted skill or occupational training, as may be applicable pursuant to28
Subsection Y of this Section.29 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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* * *1
(5)2
* * *3
(b)(i) For any student who is the recipient of an Opportunity Award and who4
is eligible to use the award at an out-of-state nonpublic college or university pursuant5
to the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the award amount to pursue6
an academic undergraduate degree shall be an amount determined by the7
administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this8
Section for students attending Louisiana public colleges and universities that offer9
academic undergraduate degrees pursuant to Subsection Y of this Section.10
* * *11
H.12
* * *13
(3)14
* * *15
(c) The amount of the award benefits relative to tuition as provided for in16
Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not exceed the amounts determined by the17
administering agency to equal the tuition charged for the postgraduate study or for18
undergraduate full-time enrollment charged by the highest cost public college19
university in the state, whichever amount is less or, for Opportunity awards an20
amount to be determined in accordance with the provisions of Subsection Y of this21
Section.22
* * *23
Y. Purpose. The legislature finds that postsecondary education should24
remain available to all qualified students, regardless of their financial means, and25
declares that enhanced access to postsecondary educational opportunities for26
Louisiana students by providing critically needed assistance to help cover the cost27
of attending postsecondary education institutions in the state is paramount. The28
legislature further finds that leveraging access to postsecondary education for29 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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students ensures that all qualified students are afforded an opportunity to achieve1
their full educational potential, increase their overall quality of life, and maximize2
their contribution to the state's economic development. The legislature also finds that3
challenging our students by providing rigorous but achievable standards will4
empower our students to better prepare for their postsecondary educational5
opportunity and be more successful during and after their academic career. The6
legislature further finds that any funds that may be realized through savings in the7
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students should be used to further the purposes of8
programs established by the state Board of Regents to enhance access to9
postsecondary educational opportunities for Louisiana students with demonstrated10
financial need.11
(1) Awards granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section to persons who12
commence full-time studies at a covered postsecondary education institution as a13
first-time freshman on or before June 30, 2015, shall be calculated as follows:14
(a) Opportunity Award. (i) A student qualifying for an award pursuant to15
Subparagraph (A)(2)(a) of this Section shall be awarded in accordance with16
Paragraph (4) of this Subsection by the state an amount determined by the17
administering agency to equal the tuition charged by the public college or university18
attended in the state.19
(ii) A student qualifying for an award pursuant to Subparagraph (A)(2)(b)20
or Item (A)(5)(b)(i) of this Section shall be awarded in accordance with Paragraph21
(4) of this Subsection an amount determined by the administering agency to equal22
the weighted average of amounts paid under this Section for students attending23
public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees at the24
baccalaureate level or an amount determined by the administering agency to equal25
the weighted average of amounts paid under this Section for students attending26
public colleges and universities who are enrolled in the permitted skill or27
occupational training, as may be applicable.28 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, awards1
granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section to a first-time freshman who2
qualifies for an award pursuant to the provisions of this Section on and after July 1,3
2015, and on or before June 30, 2016, shall be calculated as follows:4
(a) Opportunity Award. (i) For a freshman qualifying for an award pursuant5
to Subparagraph (A)(2)(a) of this Section, prior to commencement of the academic6
period the student or the student's legal guardian shall pay an amount equal to ten7
percent of the net tuition due to the institution attended by the student after8
application of any scholarships or other financial assistance received by the student9
for the payment of tuition. In accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection, the10
administering agency shall pay directly to the institution to which payment is due an11
amount equal to the remaining ninety percent of such tuition.12
(ii)(aa) For a freshman qualifying for an award pursuant to Subparagraph13
(A)(2)(b) or Item (A)(5)(b)(i) of this Section, prior to commencement of the14
academic period the administering agency shall pay in accordance with Paragraph15
(4) of this Subsection directly to the institution to which payment is due an amount16
equal to ninety percent of the weighted average of amounts paid under this Section17
for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic18
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount to be determined by19
the administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this20
Section for students attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in21
the permitted skill or occupational training, as may be applicable.22
(3) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, awards23
granted pursuant to the provisions of this Section to persons who qualify for an24
award on and after July 1, 2016, shall be calculated as follows:25
(a) Opportunity Award. (i)(aa) For a freshman qualifying for an award26
pursuant to Subparagraph (A)(2)(a) of this Section, prior to commencement of the27
academic period the student or the student's legal guardian shall pay an amount equal28
to twenty percent of the net tuition due to the institution attended by the student after29 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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application of any scholarships or other financial assistance received by the student1
for the payment of tuition. In accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection, the2
administering agency shall pay directly to the institution to which payment is due an3
amount equal to the remaining eighty percent of such tuition.4
(bb) For a sophomore qualifying for an award pursuant to Subparagraph5
(A)(2)(a) of this Section, prior to commencement of the academic period the student6
or the student's legal guardian shall pay an amount equal to ten percent of the net7
tuition due to the institution attended by the student after application of any8
scholarships or other financial assistance received by the student for the payment of9
tuition. In accordance with Paragraph (4) of this Subsection, the administering10
agency shall pay directly to the institution to which payment is due an amount equal11
to the remaining ninety percent of such tuition.12
(ii)(aa) For a freshman qualifying for an award pursuant to Subparagraph13
(A)(2)(b) or Item (A)(5)(b)(i) of this Section, prior to commencement of the14
academic period the administering agency shall pay in accordance with Paragraph15
(4) of this Subsection directly to the institution to which payment is due an amount16
equal to eighty percent of the weighted average of amounts paid under this Section17
for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic18
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount to be determined by19
the administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this20
Section for students attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in21
the permitted skill or occupational training, as may be applicable.22
(bb) For a sophomore qualifying for an award pursuant to Subparagraph23
(A)(2)(a) or Item (A)(5)(b)(i) of this Section, prior to commencement of the24
academic period the administering agency shall pay in accordance with Paragraph25
(4) of this Subsection directly to the institution to which payment is due an amount26
equal to ninety percent of the weighted average of amounts paid under this Section27
for students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic28
undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level or an amount to be determined by29 HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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the administering agency to equal the weighted average of amounts paid under this1
Section for students attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in2
the permitted skill or occupational training, as may be applicable.3
(iii) Juniors and seniors shall receive awards pursuant to Subparagraph (1)(a)4
or (1)(b) of this Subsection, as applicable based on the institution attended.5
(4) A payment by the administering agency to an institution pursuant to the6
provisions of this Section shall be made directly to the institution to which such7
payment is due after notice to the institution that the state shall pay, on behalf of the8
qualifying student, the applicable amount stipulated in this Subsection and after9
notice from the institution that the student has actually enrolled.10
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2014; if vetoed by the governor11
and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,12
2014, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.13
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)]
Kleckley HB No. 1023
Abstract: Relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, provides relative to
award amounts, payment of awards, eligibility requirements for awards.
Present law provides relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS).
Provides with respect to certain qualifications for participation in the program and provides
for scholarship awards and payments of awards.
Present law relative to eligibility requirements to receive a TOPS Opportunity award,
requires that students have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and an
American College Test (ACT) score equal to the state's average composite score, but never
less than 20. Proposed law, effective for students graduating in the 2017-2018, 2018-2019,
and 2019-2020 school years, increases requisite grade point average to 2.75 and ACT score
to 22 for such an award and for students graduating in the 2020-2021 school year and
thereafter, increases requisite grade point average to 3.00 and ACT score to 24 for such an
award.
Present law provides for payment at the beginning of the academic period directly to the
educational institution on behalf of the student for a TOPS Opportunity award. Provides that
Opportunity award recipients enrolled in a public institution or vocational program receive
full tuition and Opportunity award recipients enrolled in an independent institution or
vocational program receive an amount equal to the weighted average of amounts paid by
TOPS for students attending public institutional or vocational schools, as applicable. HLS 14RS-1374 ORIGINAL
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Proposed law establishes a new payment schedule and amount for such award.
Effective July 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(i), (2), and (5)(b)(i), and (H)(3)(c); Adds R.S.
17:3048.1(Y))