House Bill No. by Representative Turner proposes significant revisions to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS-Tech) in Louisiana, specifically targeting the eligibility requirements and award amounts for students enrolled in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). The bill establishes a new award amount of $4,500 for TOPS-Tech eligible students enrolling as first-time freshmen during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. Additionally, it introduces a new criterion for initial eligibility, allowing students to qualify if they meet at least two of three requirements: a minimum GPA, a minimum ACT score, or the completion of at least nine credit hours of early college credit through dual enrollment or validated skills.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the continuing eligibility criteria for TOPS-Tech awards. It allows students to maintain eligibility while enrolled either part-time or full-time, as opposed to the previous requirement of full-time enrollment only. The minimum cumulative GPA requirement is also lowered from 2.50 to 2.00. Additionally, students who are otherwise eligible can defer their award acceptance while retaining eligibility if they enroll in an LCTCS college before turning 25 years old. These changes aim to enhance access to educational opportunities for students in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB482 Original: 17:5027(A)(1), 17:5042(1)