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  • Education Leaders: Release of ACT data reveals Louisiana's score is at an all-time low

    October 14, 2020 12:44 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The state's Department of Education announced Wednesday that Louisiana's average ACT Composite score has dipped to 18.7. Based on the department's annual release of ACT data for the 2020 high school graduating class, Louisiana's score is at an all-time low since the state granted all students... more »
  • Governor suspends certain TOPS rules for students affected by Hurricane Laura

    September 24, 2020 10:24 AM

    BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) announced Thursday that Governor John Bel Edwards has suspended certain requirements of the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award for students who live in parishes affected by Hurricane Laura. The Governor signed Proclamation Number 124 JBE 2020... more »
  • Students encouraged to fill out TOPS information, ACT deadline change Play Video

    June 11, 2020 6:45 PM

    BATON ROUGE - First-year college students are being asked to get their TOPS paperwork in order, now. The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) has started processing 2020 high school graduates for TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) eligibility. Students are being asked to set up their Hub... more »
  • State officials have started processing 2020 graduates for TOPS eligibility

    June 11, 2020 9:33 AM

    BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) has begun processing 2020 high school graduates for TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) eligibility. Interested students have been directed to set up a Student Hub account so they can track their TOPS status, from initial eligibility through... more »
  • State gov urges college-bound students to complete FASFA applications as soon as possible

    April 9, 2020 9:49 AM

    BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's students are following the governor's stay at home directive, but the state government wants college-bound students to know they should still work on their Free Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) paperwork as soon as possible. In a statement released Thursday morning, the Louisiana Office of Student... more »
  • In view of COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Edwards modifies TOPS eligibility requirements

    April 3, 2020 12:39 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards' office released a statement Friday, announcing that he'd signed a proclamation that will make it easier for high school seniors and current post-secondary students to be eligible for a Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship. Before the health crisis caused by... more »
  • Special Session ends in failure; TOPS cut thirty-percent Play Video

    June 5, 2018 2:38 AM

    BATON ROUGE- Frustrated state lawmakers shouted at each other in the House of Representatives late Monday night as last-ditch efforts to raise sales taxes failed. The $29 billion state budget beginning July 1 is short $540 million with pro-rata cuts to services including the TOPS college scholarship program. TOPS... more »
  • TOPS scholarships on the chopping block again Play Video

    March 14, 2018 7:37 PM

    BATON ROUGE- Lawmakers failed to raise revenue in the recent special session, leaving TOPS scholarships in peril. Louisiana's budget is short $700 million dollars going into the regular session, with most of the cuts going toward higher education and healthcare. Some lawmakers don't expect a budget deal until another... more »
  • House votes to increase TOPS GPA requirement

    May 23, 2017 7:44 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The Lousiana House of Representatives has voted in favor of a bill that would raise the required grade point average for students looking to earn the TOPS scholarship. The house voted 53-32 in favor of the Bill 117, which would increase the GPA required for students... more »
  • TOPS could get fully funded Play Video

    May 22, 2017 6:54 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Senate President said Monday he expects his colleagues to pass a budget that fully funds the TOPS scholarship program. "In order to do that we may have to move some monies around that the House of Representatives did not allocate," said Alario. Three weeks... more »
  • TOPS cuts may continue through next year Play Video

    February 23, 2017 6:55 PM

    BATON ROUGE – The Edwards' administration proposed a state budget Thursday that keeps the cuts to the TOPS scholarship program intact. In the proposal, students would only receive 70 percent of their scholarships beginning fall 2017. It's the same amount students are receiving this year after lawmakers cut the program... more »
  • Louisiana colleges spared some cuts for now

    December 15, 2016 4:45 PM

    BATON ROUGE- Louisiana colleges took a lighter hit to their budgets Thursday than state lawmakers had feared a month earlier. Members of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget recognized a $312 million mid-year budget cut at the capitol and higher education took a $12 million hit. In November,... more »
  • Governor vows to protect, restore TOPS funding

    November 15, 2016 2:09 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards vowed not to cut additional funding from the TOPS program Tuesday. Recently, students and parents were reminded that the scholarship program will fund a little less than 42% of second semester tuition. Lawmakers significantly reduced the amount of money for the program... more »
  • Education leaders look for alternative to failed amendment Play Video

    November 9, 2016 11:54 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Louisiana higher education leaders wanted the right to raise tuition on their own, instead of going through the state legislature. In Tuesday's election, voters said no. Many students said they were glad it failed, but higher education leaders say a big problem has been left unresolved. "We're... more »
  • Lawmakers making last minute effort to fund TOPS Play Video

    June 22, 2016 7:44 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The Capitol is taking last minute efforts to put more money into the TOPS Scholarship program. The plan requires a tax hike and would only effect those who make more than $100,000 a year. However, Republicans are not in favor of the plan. The proposal for the... more »
  • TOPS not fully funded has parents and students concerned Play Video

    June 20, 2016 6:58 PM

    BATON ROUGE – The state budget has TOPS funded at only 70 percent leaving many parents worried about their children. Due to the program's current funding, no student will get a full TOPS scholarship. "It's very alarming to me as a parent. That my daughter has worked so hard though... more »
  • LSU evaluates state of higher education cuts as second session begins

    June 7, 2016 11:57 AM

    BATON ROUGE - Officials at LSU updated the university’s future outlook after lawmakers passed the operating budget over the weekend and head into a second session to try to close holes in state funding. The bill, which did change much from the version approved by the Senate around a... more »
  • Lawmakers approve budget, look to raise taxes in special session

    June 5, 2016 10:08 PM

    BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers passed a budget Sunday evening that slashes funding for both TOPS scholarships and hospitals. The approved cuts means the TOPS scholarship would be cut in half, costing an LSU student about $1,800 to go to school next year. The healthcare cuts could hurt health... more »
  • TOPS bill that would cut link to tuition wins final passage

    May 3, 2016 12:50 PM

    BATON ROUGE - A bill that would put the value of TOPS awards in the deep freeze rather than allow them to rise with tuition was met with House approval Monday. It’s the first reform to the popular tuition program of the legislative session so far to win final... more »
  • Bills aimed at cutting state consulting contracts advance to House

    April 29, 2016 10:22 AM

    BATON ROUGE - Bills aimed at cutting consulting contracts were advanced by the House Appropriations Committee this week, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. "We had $12.23 billion in contracts last year. State agencies will tell you every one of those contracts is necessary. I disagree," said Treasurer Kennedy.... more »
  • Students out of time to raise ACT score

    April 14, 2016 8:26 PM

    BATON ROUGE- Students hoping to boost their ACT scores to save their TOPS scholarships have run out of time. The last day to take the test to qualify for the next school year was Saturday. Before the latest round of state budget cuts were announced, students only needed an... more »
  • How will lawmakers curb TOPS spending? Play Video

    April 6, 2016 5:46 PM

    BATON ROUGE – The House Education Committee met Wednesday to feel out plans to curb TOPS spending. Lawmakers tossed out some ideas but didn’t agree on any one plan. One proposal would raise the minimum grade point average requirement from 2.3 to 2.5. Another plan would require students to... more »
  • Amid school cuts, local rapper makes video about paying off student loans

    February 18, 2016 5:42 PM

    NEW ORLEANS -- Amid proposed cuts to TOPS funding and threats of school closings in the area, one New Orleans rapper has found a reason to celebrate; his student loans are paid off. In a video that's gone viral, New Orleans rapper Dee-1 talks about paying "Sallie Mae Back", eight... more »
  • No college sports, a distant reality Play Video

    February 12, 2016 9:29 PM

    BATON ROUGE - University athletics are putting a lot of faith in state leaders to right the state budget gap. The state partially reinstated TOPS Friday , following a big scare to Louisiana students and their parents. Many in-state student athletes rely on TOPS. LSU baseball head Coach Paul... more »
  • High school seniors speak out about TOPS cuts

    February 12, 2016 5:34 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Decision day for Louisiana high school seniors might have gotten more difficult Thursday. While the TOPS crisis is at least partially cleared up for now, students are worried that the money won't be there for their entire college career. "I can't stay at a college... more »
  • LOSFA to resume partial TOPS scholarship payments Play Video

    February 12, 2016 12:40 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Louisiana students worried that budget cuts might result in increased tuition bills this semester can breathe a sigh of relief for now as LOSFA says the office will resume payments of TOPS, at least in part, next Thursday. A Friday release from LOSFA marks a turnabout... more »
  • Budget concerns cause state to temporarily suspend TOPS payments

    February 11, 2016 5:32 PM

    BATON ROUGE - The State Office of Student Financial Assistance has alerted Louisiana colleges Thursday that they’re suspending TOPS scholarship payments immediately due to looming potential budget cuts. TOPS eligible institutions received an email Thursday alerting schools that all TOPS payments would be halted without further notice. A spokesperson... more »
  • Healthcare and higher ed could be broke by spring Play Video

    December 14, 2015 8:00 PM

    BATON ROUGE - Health care and higher education could be broke by spring if money isn't raised for state services. There's a $227 million shortfall for Medicaid and the college tuition program, TOPS, according to Jan Moller with the Louisiana Budget Project. "This is an extremely serious situation," said Moller.... more »

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