Adds the Excellence award level for students who score 31 or higher on the ACT and allows award qualification based on the Classic Learning Test (EN +$3,012,092 SG EX See Note)
HB 77 revises Louisiana’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) to create a new, higher “Excellence Award” tier for students who earn a 31 or higher on the ACT, or an equivalent score on the SAT or Classic Learning Test. The bill also adds a new GPA requirement for that award level, setting a 3.50 cumulative GPA threshold, and updates related eligibility provisions so the Excellence Award is treated alongside the existing Opportunity, Performance, Honors, and TOPS-Tech awards.
The bill expands how TOPS eligibility can be established and maintained. It authorizes award qualification based on the Classic Learning Test, defines “tuition” for Excellence Award purposes as annual resident tuition and fees reported in the Board of Regents survey, and allows Excellence Award recipients at public Louisiana institutions to receive the lesser of actual tuition or $12,000, or at qualifying independent Louisiana institutions the lesser of actual tuition or $8,500. It also updates rules for home study students, returning students, and students who need to regain eligibility after losing it, while preserving existing semester limits and continuation standards.
HB 77 also modifies the interaction between TOPS and Louisiana National Guard tuition benefits. Students in the Guard program who also qualify for TOPS awards may receive additional state payments for books and other instructional materials, and in some cases extra educational expense stipends, with the amount varying by award level. The bill further clarifies that Excellence Award core curriculum requirements align with the same curriculum framework used for other TOPS awards, and it applies the Excellence Award and Classic Learning Test provisions to students graduating in or after the 2024-2025 school year.
The overall sentiment around the bill was strongly favorable. Final passage votes in both chambers were overwhelmingly positive, and the bill ultimately advanced with near-unanimous support after conference adjustments. The vote history suggests broad agreement on expanding and modernizing TOPS, especially by recognizing a higher-achieving award tier and accepting an additional standardized test option.
The main points of contention appear to have centered on amendments and procedural motions during House consideration rather than on the bill’s core purpose. Two House amendment motions failed, and a motion to recommit to committee was also defeated, indicating some disagreement over the details or timing of changes. However, those disputes did not prevent final approval, and the final conference report passed unanimously in both chambers.
HB 77 amends multiple provisions of Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17 governing TOPS awards, adding a new Excellence Award category, establishing its eligibility standards, and adjusting award amounts and tuition definitions. It also updates academic, testing, home study, returning student, and continuation rules, and it coordinates TOPS benefits with Louisiana National Guard tuition exemption provisions. The bill affects students, colleges and universities, and the administering agency responsible for TOPS rules and implementation.
The bill was generally received positively and passed with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. The strong final votes, including unanimous adoption of the conference report, indicate broad bipartisan agreement on expanding TOPS and recognizing higher academic achievement. Earlier amendment votes and a recommittal motion show some debate over details, but not sustained opposition to the bill itself.
The notable contention involved proposed amendments and a motion to recommit during House debate, suggesting some members wanted different language or further committee review. The bill text itself also includes a contingency clause tied to House Bill 378, indicating possible coordination or conflict between related TOPS legislation, particularly regarding test-score provisions for home study and alternative eligibility. Despite these issues, the core policy change—creating the Excellence Award and adding the Classic Learning Test—appears to have broad support.