House Bill No. by Representative Turner amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) to allow students who have received Opportunity, Performance, Honors, or Excellence Awards and completed their undergraduate degrees in less than eight semesters to continue using their award benefits for postgraduate studies. The bill specifies that these benefits can be applied at eligible institutions that meet certain criteria, including not being a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, offering a graduate program in medical sciences, being physically collocated with a public postsecondary institution in Louisiana since 2020, and billing tuition and fees through that public institution.

The proposed law retains the existing provisions of the TOPS program while adding specific eligibility requirements for institutions where students can apply their awards for postgraduate studies. This change aims to expand access to TOPS benefits for students pursuing advanced degrees in medical sciences at designated institutions, thereby enhancing educational opportunities in the state. The bill will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature.

Statutes affected:
HB935 Original: 17:5002(E)(3)