The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 81 Original 2016 Regular Session Morrish
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, 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.
(3)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 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.
(4)For a recipient who enrolls in an out-of-state college or university that is specifically
designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students, 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.
(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, in those associate's degree or other
shorter-term training and education programs that are aligned to state workforce priorities
as determined by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, the
award amount equals the actual cost of tuition.
(2)For a recipient who attends any other eligible postsecondary education institution in those
associate's degree or other shorter-term training education programs that are aligned to state workforce priorities as determined by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana 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 Bd. 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:
(1)Beginning with the 2016-2017 award year, the amount awarded by the state to a student who
is the recipient of any TOPS award shall equal the award amount paid for the 2016-2017
award year, unless the legislature increases the amounts by law.
(2) Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year and every odd-numbered year thereafter, the
legislature may increase the award amount if the administering agency recommends to the
Legislature that the award amounts increase to align with changes in the Consumer Price
Index.
(3)Retains payment of the supplemental amounts established in present law for a recipient of
a Performance or Honors award.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5002(A), (B), and (D))