SLS 18RS-256 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 450
BY SENATOR MORRISH
TOPS. Changes award amounts and creates a new TOPS award. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:5002, 5024, 5027(C), 5029(B)(3)(b)(iii) and the introductory
3 paragraph of (D)(1), the introductory paragraph of 5041 and (1)(c) and (4), and
4 5043(1), and to enact R.S. 17:5002.1 and 5024.1, relative to the Taylor Opportunity
5 Program for Students; to provide for a new award; to provide relative to the
6 monetary amounts and eligibility for awards granted; and to provide for related
7 matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 17:5002, 5024, 5027(C), 5029(B)(3)(b)(iii) and the introductory
10 paragraph of (D)(1), the introductory paragraph of 5041 and (1)(c) and (4), and 5043(1) are
11 hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 17:5002.1 and 5024.1 are hereby enacted to read
12 as follows:
13 §5002. Awards and amounts
14 A.(1) A student shall be eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, Honors,
15 or TOPS-Tech Award based on his academic achievement.
16 (2) The award amount shall be as provided in Subsection B or D of this
17 Section unless the legislature, by law, increases the award amount.
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1 B.(1) Any student who is eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors
2 Award pursuant to this Chapter and who has enrolled:
3 (1)(a) In any public college or university in this state, any regionally
4 accredited independent college or university in the state which is a member of
5 the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, or in an
6 out-of-state college or university that is specifically designed to accommodate
7 deaf and hard-of-hearing students under R.S. 17:5027(C) shall be awarded by the
8 state an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition charged
9 by the public college or university during the 2016-2017 academic year receive the
10 sum of two thousand dollars per semester or equivalent term, or four thousand
11 dollars per academic year.
12 (2) At any regionally accredited independent college or university in the state
13 which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
14 Universities to pursue an academic undergraduate degree, shall be awarded by the
15 state an amount to be determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted
16 average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending public colleges and
17 universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees at the baccalaureate level
18 during the 2016-2017 academic year.
19 (3)(b) In a school that has a valid and current certificate of registration issued
20 by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology in accordance with law and that is
21 accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States
22 Department of Education or in any proprietary school that has a valid and current
23 license issued by the Board of Regents in accordance with law and that is accredited
24 by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of
25 Education, shall be awarded by the state the lesser of an amount determined by the
26 administering agency to equal the weighted average of the tuition amounts charged
27 to students attending public colleges and universities during the 2016-2017 academic
28 year, or two thousand dollars per semester, or equivalent term, or four thousand
29 dollars per academic year, and who are enrolled in the permitted skill or
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1 occupational training, as may be applicable.
2 (4) In an out-of-state college or university that is specifically designed to
3 accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students under R.S. 17:5027(C), shall be
4 awarded an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted
5 average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending Louisiana public
6 colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees during the 2016-
7 2017 academic year.
8 C.(1) A student who is eligible for the Performance Award shall receive the
9 sum of two hundred dollars per semester or four hundred dollars per academic year
10 in addition to the amount provided for in Subsection B of this Section.
11 (2) A student who is eligible for the Honors Award shall receive the sum of
12 four hundred dollars per semester or eight hundred dollars per academic year in
13 addition to the amount provided for in Subsection B of this Section.
14 (2) Any student who is eligible for the Performance, Honors, or Honors
15 Plus Award and who has enrolled:
16 (a) In any public college or university in this state shall be awarded by
17 the state an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition
18 charged by the public college or university during the 2016-2017 academic year.
19 (b) At any regionally accredited independent college or university in the
20 state which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges
21 and Universities to pursue an academic undergraduate degree shall be awarded
22 by the state an amount to be determined by the administering agency to equal
23 the weighted average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending
24 public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees at
25 the baccalaureate level during the 2016-2017 academic year.
26 (c) In a school that has a valid and current certificate of registration
27 issued by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology in accordance with law and
28 that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United
29 States Department of Education or in any proprietary school that has a valid
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1 and current license issued by the Board of Regents in accordance with law and
2 that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United
3 States Department of Education shall be awarded by the state an amount
4 determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted average of the
5 tuition amounts charged to students attending public colleges and universities
6 during the 2016-2017 academic year and who are enrolled in the permitted skill
7 or occupational training, as may be applicable.
8 (d) In an out-of-state college or university that is specifically designed to
9 accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students under R.S. 17:5027(C), shall
10 be awarded an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the
11 weighted average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending
12 Louisiana public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate
13 degrees during the 2016-2017 academic year.
14 (3) Any student who is eligible for the Honors Award shall receive the
15 amount provided for in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection plus a stipend. The
16 stipend will be highest amount provided, determined by either the student's
17 grade point average, calculated on the core curriculum requirements
18 established by this Chapter, or the student's composite score on the 1990 version
19 of the ACT or equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or revised version
20 of such test or on the SAT, as follows:
21 (a) A student with an ACT score of twenty-seven or a cumulative grade
22 point average of 3.50 through 3.59 shall receive a stipend of four hundred
23 dollars per semester or eight hundred dollars per academic year.
24 (b) A student with an ACT score of twenty-eight or a cumulative grade
25 point average of 3.60 through 3.69 shall receive a stipend of five hundred fifty
26 dollars per semester or one thousand one hundred dollars per academic year.
27 (c) A student with an ACT score of twenty-nine or a cumulative grade
28 point average of 3.70 through 3.74 shall receive a stipend of seven hundred fifty
29 dollars per semester or one thousand five hundred dollars per academic year.
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1 (4) Any student who is eligible for the Honors Plus Award shall receive
2 the amount provided for in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection plus a stipend. The
3 stipend will be the highest amount provided, determined by either the student's
4 grade point average, calculated on the core curriculum requirements
5 established by this Chapter, or the student's composite score on the 1990 version
6 of the ACT or equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or revised version
7 of such test or on the SAT, as follows:
8 (a) A student with an ACT score of thirty or a cumulative grade point
9 average of 3.75 through 3.79 shall receive a stipend of nine hundred dollars per
10 semester or one thousand eight hundred dollars per academic year.
11 (b) A student with an ACT score of thirty-one or a cumulative grade
12 point average of 3.80 through 3.89 shall receive a stipend of one thousand
13 dollars per semester or two thousand dollars per academic year.
14 (c) A student with an ACT score of thirty-two or a cumulative grade
15 point average of 3.90 through 3.99 shall receive a stipend of one thousand one
16 hundred dollars per semester or two thousand two hundred dollars per
17 academic year.
18 (d) A student with an ACT score of thirty-three or a cumulative grade
19 point average of 4.0 or higher shall receive a stipend of one thousand two
20 hundred fifty dollars per semester or two thousand five hundred dollars per
21 academic year.
22 D.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, a C. A student who
23 is eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter and who is enrolled:
24 (a)(1) In an eligible public college or university that does not offer an
25 academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level in those associate's degree
26 or other shorter-term training and education programs that are aligned to state
27 workforce priorities as determined by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana
28 Workforce Investment Council shall be awarded by the state an amount determined
29 by the administering agency to equal the tuition charged by the college or university
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1 during the 2016-2017 academic year. If the Board of Regents and the Louisiana
2 Workforce Investment Council determine that a program is no longer aligned with
3 those priorities, an otherwise eligible student who had previously received an award
4 and enrolled in that program may continue to use the award.
5 (b)(2) In an eligible college or university other than as provided for in
6 Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph in those associate's degree or other shorter-term
7 training education programs that are aligned to state workforce priorities as
8 determined by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Workforce Investment
9 Council, shall be awarded by the state an amount determined by the administering
10 agency to equal the weighted average of the tuition amounts charged to students
11 attending an eligible public college or university that does not offer an academic
12 undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level during the 2016-2017 academic year.
13 If the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council determine
14 that a program is no longer aligned with those priorities, an otherwise eligible
15 student who had previously received an award and enrolled in that program may
16 continue to use the award.
17 (2) A student who graduated prior to the 2016-2017 school year, who is
18 eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Chapter, and who is enrolled:
19 (a) In an eligible college or university that does not offer an academic
20 undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level, shall be awarded by the state an
21 amount determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition charged by the
22 college or university during the 2016-2017 academic year.
23 (b) In an eligible college or university other than as provided for in
24 Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be awarded by the state an amount
25 determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted average of the tuition
26 amounts charged to students attending an eligible public college or university that
27 does not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level during
28 the 2016-2017 academic year.
29 E.D.(1) No student shall be eligible for tuition payment pursuant to this
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1 Section for the Opportunity Award, the Performance Award, or the Honors Award,
2 or the Honors Plus Award for more than eight semesters or an equivalent number
3 of units in an eligible institution which operates on a schedule based on units other
4 than semesters, unless an extension is granted by the administering agency in
5 accordance with its rules.
6 (2) No student shall be eligible for tuition payment pursuant to this Section
7 for the TOPS-Tech Award for more than two years unless an extension is granted by
8 the administering agency in accordance with its rules.
9 (3)(a) Any student receiving an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or
10 Honors Plus Award who successfully completes an academic undergraduate degree
11 in less than the eight semesters or its equivalent of award benefits provided by this
12 Subsection shall be eligible to continue to receive all applicable award benefits, in
13 accordance with the limitations as specified in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph,
14 for any remaining semester or semesters or the equivalent thereof of eligibility not
15 used to obtain the undergraduate degree if the student pursues a postgraduate
16 academic degree at an eligible institution and the student continues to meet all
17 academic and other requirements provided by this Section and by rule of the
18 administering agency for continued receipt of the award as an undergraduate except
19 as such requirements, including requirements provided by this Section for
20 undergraduate students, may be modified by the administering agency as necessary
21 to apply such requirements to postgraduate study.
22 (b) In developing rules to implement this Paragraph, the administering
23 agency shall establish reasonable time lines and deadlines for receipt of any
24 information required to implement this Paragraph both for current and subsequent
25 students receiving Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or Honors Plus awards
26 and for any student previously receiving such an award who successfully completed
27 an academic undergraduate degree in less than eight semesters. Such rules shall also
28 provide for appropriate notice to all such students of the time lines, deadlines, and
29 rules governing implementation of this Paragraph.
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1 (c) The amount of the award benefits as provided for in Subparagraph (a) of
2 this Paragraph shall not exceed the amounts determined by the administering agency
3 to equal the tuition charged for the postgraduate study or for undergraduate full-time
4 enrollment charged by the highest cost public college university in the state,
5 whichever amount is less.
6 F. E. No student shall receive a grant pursuant to this Section in an amount
7 greater than the tuition charged by the institution attended or, if the student is the
8 recipient of a Performance or an Honors or Honors Plus Award as provided for in
9 Subsection C B of this Section, the amount stipulated therein. The institution shall
10 credit any amount in excess of the cost of tuition to the student's account to pay room
11 and board or other cost of attendance.
12 G.F. In lieu of the payment of tuition as provided in this Section, any student
13 participating in the program provided by R.S. 29:36.1 for persons serving in the
14 Louisiana National Guard shall receive the tuition exemption as provided therein. In
15 addition to any other payments provided for by R.S. 29:36.1:
16 (1) For any student who also meets the qualifications provided in this Section
17 for receipt of an Opportunity Award or a TOPS-Tech Award, the state shall pay on
18 behalf of such student a sum of three hundred dollars per semester or six hundred
19 dollars per academic year to be applied toward the cost of books and other
20 instructional materials.
21 (2) For any student who also meets the qualifications provided in this Section
22 for receipt of a Performance Award, the state shall pay on behalf of the student a sum
23 of three hundred dollars per semester or six hundred dollars per academic year to be
24 applied toward the cost of books and other instructional materials plus the sum of
25 four hundred dollars per semester or eight hundred dollars per academic year for
26 other educational expenses as defined by the administering agency.
27 (3) For any student who also meets the qualifications provided in this Section
28 for receipt of an Honors Award, the state shall pay on behalf of the student a sum of
29 three hundred dollars per semester or six hundred dollars per academic year to be
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1 applied toward the cost of books and other instructional materials plus the sum of
2 eight hundred dollars per semester or one thousand six hundred dollars per academic
3 year for other educational expenses as defined by the administering agency.
4 (4) For any student who also meets the qualifications provided in this
5 Section for receipt of an Honors Plus Award, the state shall pay on behalf of the
6 student a sum of three hundred dollars per semester or six hundred dollars per
7 academic year to be applied toward the cost of books and other instructional
8 materials plus the sum of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars per semester
9 or two thousand five hundred dollars per academic year for other educational
10 expenses as defined by the administering agency.
11 §5002.1. Awards and amounts; exceptions
12 A. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 17:5002(B), a student who
13 graduates prior to the 2021-2022 school year and who is eligible for an
14 Opportunity Award pursuant to this chapter and who has enrolled:
15 (1) In any public college or university in this state shall be awarded by
16 the state an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition
17 charged by the public college or university during the 2016-2017 academic year.
18 (2) At any regionally accredited independent college or university in the
19 state which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges
20 and Universities to pursue an academic undergraduate degree shall be awarded
21 by the state an amount to be determined by the administering agency to equal
22 the weighted average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending
23 public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate degrees at
24 the baccalaureate level during the 2016-2017 academic year.
25 (3) In a school that has a valid and current certificate of registration
26 issued by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology in accordance with law and
27 that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United
28 States Department of Education or in any proprietary school that has a valid
29 and current license issued by the Board of Regents in accordance with law and
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1 that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United
2 States Department of Education shall be awarded by the state an amount
3 determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted average of the
4 tuition amounts charged to students attending public colleges and universities
5 during the 2016-2017 academic year and who are enrolled in the permitted skill
6 or occupational training, as may be applicable.
7 (4) In an out-of-state college or university that is specifically designed to
8 accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students under R.S. 17:5027(C) shall
9 be awarded an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the
10 weighted average of the tuition amounts charged to students attending
11 Louisiana public colleges and universities that offer academic undergraduate
12 degrees during the 2016-2017 academic year.
13 B. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 17:5002(C), a student who
14 graduated prior to the 2016-2017 school year is eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award
15 pursuant to this Chapter, and who is enrolled:
16 (1) In an eligible public college or university that does not offer an
17 academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level, shall be awarded by
18 the state an amount determined by the administering agency to equal the tuition
19 charged by the college or university during the 2016-2017 academic year.
20 (2) In an eligible college or university other than as provided for in
21 Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, shall be awarded by the state an amount
22 determined by the administering agency to equal the weighted average of the
23 tuition amounts charged to students attending an eligible public college or
24 university that does not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the
25 baccalaureate level during the 2016-2017 academic year.
26 C.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 17:5002(B), a student who
27 graduates from high school prior to the 2021-2022 school year and who is
28 eligible:
29 (1) For the Performance Award shall receive the sum of two hundred
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1 dollars per semester or four hundred dollars per academic year in addition to
2 the amount provided for in Subsection A of this Section.
3 (2) For the Honors Award shall receive the sum of four hundred dollars
4 per semester or eight hundred dollars per academic year in addition to the
5 amount provided for in Subsection A of this Section.
6 D. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter, a student who
7 graduates prior to the 2021-2022 school year shall not be eligible for an Honors
8 Plus Award.
9 * * *
10 §5024. Academic requirements
11 A.(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Subsection, students Students
12 shall meet the following minimum grade point average requirements, calculated on
13 a 4.00 scale using only the grades obtained by the student in completing the core
14 curriculum requirements established by this Chapter, for the respective awards:
15 (a) For an Opportunity Award, a minimum cumulative grade point average
16 of 2.50.
17 (b) For a Performance Award, a minimum cumulative grade point average
18 of 3.25 3.0.
19 (c) For an Honors Award, a minimum cumulative grade point average of
20 3.50.
21 (d) For an Honors Plus Award, a minimum cumulative grade point
22 average of 3.75.
23 (d)(e) For a TOPS-Tech Award, a minimum cumulative grade point average
24 of 2.50.
25 (2)(a) For a student who graduated prior to the 2002-2003 school year, the
26 minimum cumulative grade point average shall be calculated by using the grades
27 obtained by the student in completing all classes taken.
28 (b) For a student who graduated prior to the 2007-2008 school year, the
29 minimum cumulative high school grade point average necessary for such student to
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1 be eligible for a Performance Award or Honors Award shall be 3.50 on a 4.00 scale.
2 (c)(i) For a student who graduated during or after the 2007-2008 school year
3 but prior to the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum cumulative high school grade
4 point average necessary for such student to be eligible for an Opportunity Award
5 shall be 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
6 (ii) For a student who graduated during or after the 2007-2008 school year
7 but prior to the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum cumulative high school grade
8 point average necessary for such student to be eligible for a Performance Award
9 shall be 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
10 (iii) For a student who graduated during or after the 2007-2008 school year
11 but prior to the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum cumulative high school grade
12 point average necessary for such student to be eligible for an Honors Award shall be
13 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
14 (3)(a) The calculation of the minimum cumulative grade point average
15 specified in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall use a five-point scale for grades
16 earned in certain Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses,
17 gifted and talented courses, honors courses, articulated courses for college credit, and
18 dual enrollment courses as approved by the Board of Regents and the State Board of
19 Elementary and Secondary Education, which may result in a student earning a
20 cumulative grade point average that exceeds 4.00. For such courses, five quality
21 points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "A", four quality points shall be assigned
22 to a letter grade of "B", three quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "C",
23 two quality points shall be assigned to a letter grade of "D", and zero quality points
24 shall be assigned to a letter grade of "F".
25 (b) The provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph do not apply to
26 students who graduated prior to the 2017-2018 school year.
27 B.(1) Except as otherwise provided by this Subsection, a A student shall earn
28 the following minimum test scores for the respective awards:
29 (a)(1) For an Opportunity Award, a composite score on the 1990 version of
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1 the ACT which is at least equal to or higher than the state's average composite score,
2 truncated to a whole number, reported for the prior year but never less than twenty
3 or an equivalent concordant value on an enhanced or revised version of such test or
4 on the SAT.
5 (b)(2) For a Performance Award, a composite score on the 1990 version of
6 the ACT of twenty-three or higher or an equivalent concordant value on any
7 enhanced or revised version of such test or on the SAT.
8 (c)(3) For an Honors Award, a score of twenty-seven or higher on the 1990
9 version of the ACT or an equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or revised
10 version of such test or on the SAT.
11 (d)(4) For an Honors Plus Award, a score of thirty or higher on the 1990
12 version of the ACT or an equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or
13 revised version of such test or on the SAT.
14 (5) For a TOPS-Tech Award, a composite score on the specified ACT of
15 seventeen or higher or an equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or revised
16 version of such test or on the SAT. The student may, as an alternative requirement,
17 have attained a silver level score on the assessments of the ACT WorkKeys system.
18 (2)(a) For a student who graduated prior to the 2010-2011 school year, the
19 ACT WorkKeys system is not an alternative assessment for establishing eligibility
20 for a TOPS-Tech Award.
21 (b) For a student who graduated prior to the 2000-2001 school year, the
22 minimum ACT score for a TOPS-Tech Award is nineteen.
23 C. A student who graduated after the 2002-2003 school year but prior to the
24 2006-2007 school year is eligible to receive a Performance Award pursuant to this
25 Chapter if he meets the other requirements of this Chapter and each of the following
26 conditions is met:
27 (1) The student has a composite score on the 1990 version of the ACT of
28 twenty-four or higher or an equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or revised
29 version of such test or on the SAT.
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1 (2) The student achieved a minimum cumulative high school grade point
2 average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale when calculated in accordance with applicable rules
3 adopted by the administering agency and such calculation is based on ten or more of
4 the grades being grades for completion of honors curriculum courses, gifted
5 curriculum courses, or advanced placement courses, or any combination of such
6 courses, and the high school awards grades for such courses on a 4.0 scale or higher.
7 §5024.1. Academic requirements; exceptions
8 A. Exceptions to the academic eligibility requirements established in R.S.
9 17:5024(A) pertaining to a student's grade point average, are as follows:
10 (1) A student shall meet the following minimum grade point average
11 requirements, calculated on a 4.00 scale using only the grades obtained by the
12 student in completing the core curriculum requirements established by this
13 Chapter, for the respective awards as follows:
14 (a) For a student graduating during or after the 2007-2008 school year
15 but prior to the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum cumulative high school
16 grade point average necessary for such student to be eligible for a Performance
17 or Honors Award shall be 3.00 on a 4.0 scale.
18 (b) For a student who graduated during or after the 2007-2008 school
19 year but prior to the 2020-2021 school year, the minimum cumulative high
20 school grade point average necessary for such student to be eligible for an
21 Opportunity Award shall be 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
22 (c) For a student who graduated prior to the 2007-2008 school year, the
23 minimum cumulative high school grade point average necessary for such
24 student to be eligible for a Performance Award or Honors Award shall be 3.50
25 on a 4.00 scale.
26 (d) For a student who graduated prior to the 2002-2003 school year, the
27 minimum high school cumulative grade point average shall be calculated by
28 using the grades obtained by the student in completing all classes taken.
29 B. Exceptions to the academic requirements established by R.S.
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1 17:5024(B) pertaining to a student's ACT score, are as follows:
2 (1) For a student who graduated prior to the 2010-2011 school year, the
3 ACT WorkKeys system is not an alternative assessment for establishing
4 eligibility for a TOPS-Tech Award.
5 (2) For a student who graduated prior to the 2000-2001 school year, the
6 minimum ACT score for a TOPS-Tech Award is nineteen.
7 C. Notwithstanding R.S. 17:5024, a student who graduated after the
8 2002-2003 school year but prior to the 2006-2007 school year is eligible to
9 receive a Performance Award pursuant to this Chapter if he meets the other
10 requirements of this Chapter and each of the following conditions:
11 (1) The student has a composite score on the 1990 version of the ACT of
12 twenty-four or higher or an equivalent concordant value on any enhanced or
13 revised version of such test or on the SAT.
14 (2) The student achieved a minimum cumulative high school grade point
15 average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale when calculated in accordance with applicable
16 rules adopted by the administering agency and such calculation is based on ten
17 or more of the grades being for completion of honors curriculum courses, gifted
18 curriculum courses, or advanced placement courses, or any combination of such
19 courses, and the high school awards grades for such courses on a 4.0 scale or
20 higher.
21 D. Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter, a student who
22 graduates prior to the 2021-2022 school year shall not be eligible for an Honors
23 Plus Award.
24 * * *
25 §5027. Postsecondary institution enrollment
26 * * *
27 C. Notwithstanding any provision of Subsection B of this Section, any
28 student who meets all applicable initial and continuing program eligibility
29 requirements of this Chapter for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or Honors
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1 Plus Award may use such award at an out-of-state nonpublic college or university
2 when each of the following conditions is met:
3 * * *
4 §5029. Alternative initial eligibility requirements
5 * * *
6 B. * * *
7 (3)(b)(iii) For a student qualifying for an initial Performance, or Honors, or
8 Honors Plus Award for the 2008-2009 award year or thereafter pursuant to this
9 Subsection, the student shall have a composite score on the 1990 version of the ACT
10 which is at least one point higher than that required by R.S. 17:5024(B) for the
11 particular award or an equivalent concordant value on an enhanced or revised version
12 of such test or on the SAT.
13 * * *
14 D.(1) Beginning with the 2004-2005 award year, a student who does not
15 graduate from high school or complete a home study program shall be eligible to
16 receive an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or Honors Plus Award pursuant
17 to this Chapter if each of the following conditions is met:
18 * * *
19 §5041. Maintaining eligibility; Honors, Performance, Opportunity
20 To maintain continued state payment of any amount pursuant to an
21 Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or Honors Plus Award once enrolled in
22 college a student shall meet all of the following:
23 (1) * * *
24 (c) If at any time a student fails to maintain the cumulative grade point
25 average required for continuation in the program or, as of the end of any semester or
26 term during the academic year, fails to make steady academic progress as defined by
27 the administering agency, such student shall become ineligible for further payments.
28 Payments limited to those provided in R.S. 17:5002(B), regardless of whether the
29 originally granted award was an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors, or Honors
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1 Plus Award, may be reinstated upon attainment of the grade point average required
2 by this Section for a student to maintain continued state payments once enrolled in
3 college and the standards for steady academic progress as defined by the
4 administering agency, provided that the student has maintained other continuation
5 requirements and the period of ineligibility did not persist for more than two years
6 from the date of loss of eligibility. If this two-year period is interrupted due to a
7 student's active duty service in the United States Armed Forces, the two-year period
8 shall be extended for a length of time equal to the student's active duty service, not
9 to exceed four years, unless the student reenlists in the United States Armed Forces
10 and maintains continuous active duty, in which case the period shall be extended for
11 a length of time equal to the student's active duty service; or unless the student is
12 granted an exception for cause by the administering agency.
13 * * *
14 (4)(a) For students qualifying to receive a Performance, or an Honors, or
15 Honors Plus Award, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00
16 scale at the end of each academic year.
17 (b) However, if at any time an otherwise eligible student receiving a
18 Performance Award or an Honors Award in accordance with the provisions of this
19 Chapter fails to have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
20 at the end of any academic year but has and continues to maintain a cumulative grade
21 point average at least equal to that required by Paragraph (3) of this Subsection for
22 continued participation by a recipient of an Opportunity Award, the student receiving
23 a Performance Award or an Honors Award shall remain eligible for state payments
24 but only in the amount provided for in R.S. 17:5002(B) for a recipient of an
25 Opportunity Award. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall apply to all students
26 who receive state payments pursuant to a Performance Award, or an Honors Award,
27 or Honors Plus Award including all such students from the beginning of the
28 program.
29 * * *
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1 §5043. Returning students
2 Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, any otherwise
3 qualified student who meets each of the following conditions and who enrolls as a
4 first-time freshman in an out-of-state college or university, or beginning with the
5 2009-2010 academic year, first enrolls as a first-time freshman in an eligible college
6 or university in Louisiana and subsequently enrolls in an out-of-state college or
7 university, may use the program award provided for by this Section at an eligible
8 college or university in Louisiana in accordance with this Subsection and other
9 applicable provisions of this Chapter; however, the time period of award eligibility
10 set forth in R.S. 17:5002(E) shall be reduced by an equivalent number of units as
11 may be applicable for each semester or equivalent time period that the student is
12 enrolled in an out-of-state college or university:
13 (1) The student has been determined by the administering agency to meet the
14 initial eligibility requirements established by this Section for an Opportunity,
15 Performance, or Honors, or Honors Plus Award.
16 * * *
17 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
18 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
19 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
20 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
21 effective on the day following such approval.
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
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$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)
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