The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 79 Original 2016 Regular Session Morrish
Present law provides as follows relative to the amount awarded to 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 award 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 award
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.
(3)For a recipient who is eligible to use the award at an out-of-state nonpublic college or
university specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students to pursue
an academic undergraduate degree, the award 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 recipient 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 award 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.
(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 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 in those associate's degree or other
shorter-term training and education programs aligned to state workforce priorities as
determined by the Board of Regents and the La. Workforce Investment Council, the award
amount equals the actual cost of tuition.
(2)For a recipient who attends any other eligible postsecondary education institution that offers an associate's degree or other shorter-term training and education programs aligned to state
workforce priorities as determined by the Board of Regents and the La. Workforce
Investment Council, the award amount equals the amount determined by LASFAC to equal
the weighted average of amounts paid for students attending public institutions that do not
offer a baccalaureate degree.
Present law provides that for students who graduated prior to the 2016-2017 school year, eligibility
for a TOPS-Tech award is not contingent upon a determination by the Board of Regents and the La.
Workforce Investment Council that the students course of study is aligned with state workforce
priorities. Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that the amount awarded by the state to a student who is the recipient of any
TOPS award shall be equal to the award amount established for each respective award at the
postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled for the 2016-2017 award year, unless the
legislature, by law, increases the award amount.
Proposed law retains payment of the supplemental amounts established in present law for a recipient
of a Performance or Honors award.
Present law provides with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) that a
recipient, among other eligibility criteria, must have a composite ACT score equal to or higher than
the state average composite score, rounded to the nearest whole number, reported for the previous
year, but never less than 20 or an equivalent value on the SAT in order to receive a TOPS
Opportunity award.
Proposed law retains the requirement that a student have a minimum ACT score equal to or greater
than the state average, truncated to a whole number, but never less than 20.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5002(A), (B), and (D) and 5024(B)(1)(a))