The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 470 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Morrish
Present law provides that in the event the legislature fails to appropriate sufficient money to fund all
awards made to students who qualify for a TOPS award, the administering agency will establish a
procedure to reduce the number of students who will receive awards based on ACT scores and the
student's ability to pay tuition, as determined by federal guidelines for determining student financial
need.
Provides that the first cohort of students eliminated will be those who score lowest on the ACT.
Further provides that within this cohort, those students whose families are most able to pay the
student's tuition will be eliminated first. If funding is still insufficient after the elimination of all
students in this cohort, this procedure will be repeated with each succeeding score cohort.
Provides that among students so denied their awards, students whose families have the least capacity
to pay shall be the first to receive their awards if monies become available. Students for whom the
expected family contribution cannot be determined shall be denied their award until the legislature
appropriates sufficient monies to fund all awards to qualifying students.
Proposed law retains present law, but provides that the number of students who can receive a TOPS
award shall not be reduced, unless JLCB fails to approve a reduction in award amounts for all
students who received a TOPS award.
Proposed law provides that before reducing the number of students eligible to receive a TOPS award
as provided in present law, the administering agency, subject to approval by the Jt. Legislative
Committee on the Budget (JLCB), shall equitably reduce the amount of all program awards,
including the stipends for the Performance and Honors awards, by an equal percentage on a pro rata
basis. Provides that the total amount of all awards in any award year shall not exceed available funds,
either from legislative appropriation or another source.
Proposed law provides that if JLCB fails to approve a pro rata reduction in all award amounts, the
provisions of present law providing for a reduction in the number of students to whom awards shall
be made will apply.
Proposed law provides that if TOPS award amounts are reduced, public postsecondary institutions
may bill a student for the difference between the student's TOPS award and the amount of tuition
established for the institution in which he is enrolled, unless the student is granted a tuition waiver.
Proposed law provides that if the number of students eligible to receive a TOPS award is reduced,
postsecondary institutions may bill a student for the full amount of tuition established for the
institution in which he is enrolled, unless the student is granted a tuition waiver. Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5065(D))