The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 450 Original 2018 Regular Session Morrish
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). Further provides for
award types, monetary award amounts, and eligibility requirements for each award granted through
the program.
Proposed law changes the existing awards as follows:
(1)Changes the Opportunity Award amounts from the 2016-2017 award amount to a flat $4,000
annual award for all recipients, except those enrolled at a proprietary school. Recipients at
a proprietary school will receive the 2016-2017 award amount or $4,000 a year, whichever
is less.
(2)Removes the Performance Award annual stipend of $400.
(3)Changes the Honors Award stipend from an annual award of $800 to a graduated amount
based on GPA or ACT score, with an annual maximum amount of $1,500.
Proposed law adds another award level (Honors Plus) for students who graduate from high school
with at least a 3.75 GPA, based upon the TOPS core curriculum, and who earn at least a 30 on the
ACT. The award amount would be the 2016-2017 fully funded tuition amount plus a graduated
stipend amount based on the student's GPA or ACT score. The annual maximum amount of the
stipend is $2,500.
Proposed law also provides that the cumulative GPA for the Performance Award would revert to a
3.0.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:5002, 5024, 5027(C), 5029(B)(3)(b)(iii) and (D)(1)(intro para), 5041(intro para),
(1)(c) and (4), and 5043(1); adds R.S. 17:5002.1 and 5024.1)