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)]
HB 367 Original 2016 Regular Session Amedee
Abstract: Provides for a reduction in Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award
amounts according to the amount of a student's need-based financial aid, if any, that can be
applied to tuition; applicable to students graduating from high school during or after the
2019-20 school year.
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) as a program of merit
scholarships for students attending certain postsecondary education institutions who meet specific
initial eligibility requirements, including academic requirements pertaining to grade point average
(GPA), ACT score, and core curricula. TOPS award amounts vary depending on the type of award
and the type of college or university, as follows:
TOPS-Tech Award
Institution Type Award Amount
Public college or university that does not
offer an academic undergraduate degree at the
baccalaureate level
Tuition charged by the institution
Other eligible college or university Equal to the weighted average of amounts
paid to students attending an eligible public
college or university that does not offer an
academic undergraduate degree at the
baccalaureate level
Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award
Institution Type Award Amount
La. public college or university Tuition charged by the institution
La. nonpublic college or university Weighted average of amounts paid for
students attending La. public colleges and
universities that offer academic undergraduate
degrees at the baccalaureate level Out-of-state college or university designed to
accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing
students
Weighted average of amounts paid for
students attending La. public colleges and
universities that offer academic undergraduate
degrees
Certain cosmetology and proprietary schoolsWeighted average of amounts for students
attending public colleges and universities who
are enrolled in skill or occupational training
Proposed law retains present law for students graduating from high school prior to the 2019-2020
school year, but, applicable to students graduating during or after that school year, provides that if
a student has been awarded need-based financial aid that can be applied to tuition, his TOPS award
amount shall be the otherwise applicable award amount less the amount of the need-based financial
aid.
(Amends R.S. 17:5002(B) and (D)(2); Adds R.S. 17:5002.1)