HLS 25RS-584 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 70
BY REPRESENTATIVE BRASS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
TOPS: Revises initial academic eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 17:5024(D), relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to revise
3 academic initial eligibility criteria for a TOPS-Tech award; to provide for
4 qualification based on the attainment of certain early college credits; to provide for
5 applicability; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:5024(D) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง5024. Academic requirements
9 * * *
10 D.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a student who is
11 otherwise eligible for a TOPS-Tech award pursuant to this Chapter shall qualify for
12 the award if he meets at least two of the following requirements as determined by the
13 administering agency:
14 (a) Attainment of a minimum grade point average on the core curriculum as
15 provided in Subsection A of this Section.
16 (b) Attainment of a minimum ACT score as provided in Subsection B of this
17 Section.
18 (c) Successful completion of either at least nine credit hours of early college
19 credit, which may be attained through academic or technical dual enrollment courses,
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-584 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 70
1 or equivalent validated skills and learning measures as approved by the Statewide
2 Articulation and Transfer Council.
3 (2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection are applicable to
4 students enrolling in an eligible college or university as first-time freshmen during
5 or after the 2025-2026 academic year.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 70 Original 2025 Regular Session Brass
Abstract: Expands eligibility criteria for a TOPS-Tech award to include the attainment of
early college credit in high school through completion of dual enrollment courses or
other approved skills and learning measures.
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), a merit
scholarship program for students who meet certain academic criteria in high school and other
requirements. Provides for four award levels, including TOPS-Tech, for which academic
initial eligibility criteria include both of the following:
(1)GPA of at least 2.5 on the specific TOPS-Tech high school core curriculum provided
in present law.
(2)ACT score of at least 17 or silver on WorkKeys.
Proposed law adds a third academic criterion, at least nine credit hours of early college credit
attained through dual enrollment courses or equivalent validated skills and learning measures
as approved by the Statewide Articulation and Transfer Council. Provides that a student
qualifies for a TOPS-Tech award if he meets at least two of the three requirements provided
in present law and proposed law. Applicable to students enrolling in college as first-time
freshmen beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.
(Adds R.S. 17:5024(D))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.