RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 225 (SB 318) 2020 Regular Session Cathey
Prior law provided 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 required 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. Prior law further required the recipient to be a La. resident
and a U.S. citizen, and generally required the student to enroll in an eligible postsecondary
institution within one year of graduating from high school.
New law provides for alternative initial eligibility requirements for veterans who were
honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces from a military installation in
Louisiana 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 domicile within one year after discharge from military service,
provided residency is established on or after January 1, 2020.
(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
assessments.
(5)Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after notification of
eligibility for the award.
Prior law limited 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.
New law retains prior law.
New law applies to the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 academic years.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 11, 2020).
(Adds R.S. 17:5029(E))