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)]
Harrison HB No. 1153
Abstract: Relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, provides relative to award
amounts and eligibility requirements for the Opportunity Award.
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 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
school year and thereafter, increases the requisite ACT to a minimum of 22; however, eliminates
the need for a minimum ACT score if the student's GPA is 3.0 or greater.
Present law 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 retains present law for those students enrolling as a first-time freshman
on or before June 20, 2018, but thereafter, provides for an award equal to a percentage of tuition
as follows: 80% for first two semesters; 90% for third and fourth semesters; 100% for fifth and
sixth semesters; and 120% for seventh and eighth semesters.
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(b)(i), (2), (4)(intro. para.), and (5)(b)(i)