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.
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))