SLS 14RS-1564 ORIGINAL
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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. 655
BY SENATOR BUFFINGTON
FUNDS/FUNDING. To authorize public or private entities to make certain donations to
various educational institutions for recipients of TOPS Awards or GO Grants. (7/1/14)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 17:3046 and enact R.S. 17:3048.1(M), relative to financial2
assistance for certain qualified students; to authorize public or private entities to3
make certain donations to various education institutions for recipients of TOPS4
awards or GO Grants; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related5
matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S.17:3046 is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 17:3048.1(M) is8
hereby enacted to read as follows: 9
§3046. Louisiana GO Grant program; legislative findings10
A. The legislature finds that a college education should be available to all11
qualified students, regardless of their financial means, and declares that the12
Louisiana GO Grant program established by the Board of Regents has enhanced13
access to postsecondary educational opportunities for Louisiana students with14
demonstrated financial need by providing critically needed assistance to help cover15
the cost of attending postsecondary education institutions in the state. The legislature16
further finds that leveraging access to postsecondary education for students with17 SB NO. 655
SLS 14RS-1564 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
demonstrated financial need ensures that all qualified students are afforded an1
opportunity to achieve their full educational potential, increase their overall quality2
of life, and maximize their contribution to the state's economic development.3
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary,4
any public or private entity, including any nonprofit organization, may make5
a directed donation to any eligible postsecondary institution for a student who6
is a recipient of a Louisiana GO Grant.7
* * *8
§3048.1. Program awards; eligibility; amounts; limitations; funding; administration9
* * *10
M. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary,11
any public or private entity, including any nonprofit organization, may make12
a directed donation to any eligible postsecondary institution for a student who13
is a recipient of a Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students award.14
* * *15
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2014; if vetoed by the governor16
and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become effective on July 1,17
2014, or on the day following such approval by the legislature, whichever is later.18
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jay R. Lueckel.
DIGEST
Buffington (SB 655)
Present law provides for the establishment of the GO Grant program by the Board of
Regents to meet the financial need of certain students.
Present law provides for the establishment of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for
Students (TOPS) award. Provides for the eligibility of the various TOPS awards and the
administrative requirements of TOPS.
Proposed law retains present law relative to Go Grant and TOPS and also provides that any
public or private entity, including any nonprofit organization, may make a directed donation
to any eligible postsecondary institution for a student who is a recipient of a Louisiana GO
Grant or a Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students award.
Effective July 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 17:3046; adds R.S. 17:3048.1(M))