By Anna Puleo
LSU Manship School News Service
The Louisiana House Education Committee on Wednesday advanced two significant pieces of legislation aimed at updating and expanding the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), the state’s signature college scholarship program.
House Bill 77, introduced by Rep. Christopher Turner, R-Ruston, would adjust the current scholarship amounts to reflect tuition rates beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. Presently, awards are based on tuition levels from the 2016-2017 school year. The revised awards would range from $3,000 to $11,300 annually, depending on the student’s award level and the institution they attend. The proposed changes are projected to cost the state approximately $50 million more each year and will next be reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee.
The bill also introduces a new “Excellence” award tier for students who achieve an ACT score of 31 or higher. This new level would add to the existing four award categories—TOPS-Tech, Opportunity, Performance, and Honors—and aims to encourage high-achieving students to remain in Louisiana for their college education. Fewer than 1,000 students are expected to qualify for this top-tier award.
In response to concerns that the proposed increase may not sufficiently cover tuition at higher-cost institutions like LSU, lawmakers amended the bill to include an additional $350 per semester—or $700 per academic year—for eligible students attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge or the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.
Another key component of HB77 would redefine “tuition” to include mandatory fees, allowing TOPS awards to cover a broader range of educational expenses.
In addition to HB77, the committee also advanced House Bill 275, authored by Rep. Stephanie Berault, R-Slidell. This proposal would extend TOPS eligibility to Louisiana residents who pursue undergraduate studies out of state but return for medical or dental school. The initiative is intended to help address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in the state and is estimated to cost over $1 million annually.
Both bills are part of a broader effort to modernize TOPS and increase its impact on student retention, affordability, and access to higher education within Louisiana.