House Bill No. HLS 25RS-155 introduces significant enhancements to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) in Louisiana by establishing a new "Excellence Award" for students who achieve a score of 31 or higher on the ACT, as well as expanding eligibility to include scores from the Classic Learning Test. The bill revises the eligibility criteria for the TOPS-Tech award, allowing students to qualify based on the completion of early college credits. Additionally, it permits students to apply any unused award amounts toward medical or dental school tuition, with specific conditions for repayment and eligibility. The legislation also specifies that students receiving the Excellence Award must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing law to include the Excellence Award alongside the Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards, and establishes that students who do not graduate from high school or complete a home study program can still qualify for the Excellence Award under certain conditions. It also revises the TOPS-Tech award eligibility by requiring at least nine credit hours of early college credit through dual enrollment courses. The Excellence Award is capped at $12,000 or the amount of tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less, and provisions are included for students qualifying for both TOPS and National Guard tuition exemptions to ensure they receive a higher stipend if they qualify for the Excellence Award. Overall, the bill aims to broaden financial assistance criteria and enhance educational opportunities for Louisiana students.

Statutes affected:
HB77 Original: 17:5025, 17:5027(C), 17:5029(B)(3), 17:5041, 17:5043(1)
HB77 Engrossed: 17:5025, 17:5027(C), 17:5029(B)(3), 17:5041, 17:5043(1)
HB77 Reengrossed: 17:5002(A), 17:5025, 17:5029(B)(3), 17:5041, 17:5043(1)