SLS 20RS-577 ENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 318
BY SENATOR CATHEY
TOPS. Provides for TOPS-Tech award eligibility for certain military veterans. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 17:5029(E), relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to
3 provide for eligibility for certain military veterans to receive a TOPS-Tech Award;
4 to provide relative to eligibility requirements; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 17:5029(E) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง5029. Alternative initial eligibility requirements
8 * * *
9 E.(1) Notwithstanding the initial eligibility requirements established by
10 this Chapter, effective for the 2020-2021 academic year and thereafter, an
11 individual who has been honorably discharged from a branch of the United
12 States Armed Forces shall be eligible to receive a TOPS-Tech Award, provided
13 he meets all of the following requirements:
14 (a) Had at least three years of military service prior to discharge.
15 (b) Is a citizen of the United States.
16 (c) Established Louisiana residency within one year after discharge from
17 military service.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 318
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1 (d) Earned a 17 or higher score on the ACT or an equivalent concordant
2 value on the SAT, or attained a silver level score or higher on the ACT
3 WorkKeys system of assessments.
4 (e) Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after
5 notification of eligibility for the award.
6 (2) An individual who is determined eligible for and receives a
7 TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Subsection shall be subject to all other
8 provisions of this Chapter relative to the award and the rules and regulations
9 adopted by the administering agency.
10 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
11 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
12 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
13 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
14 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett.
DIGEST
SB 318 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Cathey
Present law provides for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) as a program of
merit scholarships for students attending certain postsecondary educational institutions who
meet specific initial eligibility requirements pertaining to grade point average (GPA), ACT
score, and core curriculum requirements and certain other qualifications. The initial award
eligibility for a TOPS-Tech Award requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on the core
curriculum and a minimum ACT score of 17 or attainment of a silver level score on the ACT
WorkKeys system of assessments. Present law further requires the recipient to be a La.
resident and a U.S. citizen, and generally requires the student to enroll in an eligible
postsecondary institution within one year of graduating from high school.
Proposed law provides for alternative initial eligibility requirements for veterans who were
honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces as follows:
(1)Had at least three years of military service prior to discharge.
(2)Is a citizen of the United States.
(3)Established Louisiana residency within one year after discharge from military
service.
(4)Earned a 17 or higher score on the ACT or an equivalent concordant value on the
SAT, or attained a silver level score or higher on the ACT WorkKeys system of
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assessments.
(5)Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after notification of
eligibility for the award.
Present law limits the duration of a student's tuition payment to two years for a TOPS-Tech
Award. Requires that students meet certain requirements during these time frames in order
to maintain continued eligibility. Such requirements include but are not limited to:
(1)Making steady academic progress while earning enough credits to maintain full-time
status.
(2)Maintaining a minimum required grade point average, depending on the type of
award received.
(3)Having no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations.
Proposed law retains present law.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:5029(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Removes repayment provisions.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.