SLS 14RS-389 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 190
BY SENATOR MORRISH
TOPS. Establishes a cap on TOPS award amounts. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:3048.1(Y), relative to the monetary amounts of awards granted pursuant2
to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to provide for maximum award3
amounts; to provide for future adjustments of maximum award amounts; to provide4
for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:3048.1(Y) is hereby enacted to read as follows:7
ยง3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration8
* * *9
Y.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary,10
beginning with the 2014-2015 award year, the amount awarded by the state to11
a student who is the recipient of any award granted pursuant to this Chapter12
shall not exceed an amount equal to the award amount paid for the 2013-201413
award year, plus an amount equal to ten percent of the 2013-2014 award14
amount.15
(2) Beginning with the 2015-2016 award year, the administering agency16
may consider any adjustments necessary to align the award amounts granted17 SB NO. 190
SLS 14RS-389 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
pursuant to this Chapter with changes in the Consumer Price Index and1
recommend any such adjustment to the legislature for approval during2
legislative sessions held in odd-numbered years.3
(3) The maximum award amounts specified in this Subsection shall be4
exclusive of any additional amounts awarded to students who receive a5
Performance Award or an Honors Award.6
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not7
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature8
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If9
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become10
effective on the day following such approval.11
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Morrish (SB 190)
Present law provides as follows relative to the dollar amount awarded to Taylor Opportunity
Program for Students (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.
(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)For a student who is the recipient of an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors award
who enrolls in a cosmetology school registered by the La. State Board of
Cosmetology or a proprietary school licensed by the Board of Regents, the amount
is equal to the amount determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted average of
amounts for students attending public colleges and universities who are enrolled in
the permitted skill or occupational training. SB NO. 190
SLS 14RS-389 ORIGINAL
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
(5)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 amount determined by LASFAC to equal the weighted
average of amounts paid for students attending public institutions who are enrolled
in the permitted skill or occupational training.
Proposed law provides that, beginning with the 2014-2015 award year:
(1)The amount awarded by the state to a student who is the recipient of any TOPS
award shall not exceed an amount equal to the award amount paid for the 2013-2014
award year, plus an amount equal to ten percent of the 2013-2014 award amount.
(2)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 2015-2016 award year, the administering
agency may consider any adjustments necessary to align TOPS award amounts with changes
in the Consumer 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))