Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Louisiana · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 482: TOPS: Revises the initial and continuing eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award and provides for the award amount at public colleges and universities (EG +$3,200,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 482 proposes to increase the TOPS-Tech scholarship award amount to $4,500 annually for students enrolled in eligible programs at Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) institutions, effective for first-time freshmen enrolling in 2026-2027 or later. It revises eligibility by requiring students to meet only two of three academic benchmarks (minimum GPA, ACT score, or early college credits) instead of all three, and allows deferral of award acceptance until age 25 for LCTCS students. The bill also adjusts academic progress requirements, including a minimum 2.00 GPA and continuous enrollment standards, to maintain eligibility. These changes directly affect Louisiana students pursuing technical degrees at LCTCS colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases TOPS-Tech scholarship funding to $4,500/year and lowers eligibility requirements, expanding access to higher education financial aid at LCTCS institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · Senate May 22, 2026

SB 105: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS eligibility. (8/1/26) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 105 amends Louisiana's TOPS program to expand eligibility for the TOPS-Tech Award to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. military installations located in Louisiana. To qualify, veterans must earn a 17+ ACT score (or equivalent SAT/ACT WorkKeys silver level) and submit their DD-214 discharge documents. The bill specifically applies to the 2020-2023 academic years and targets veterans who served at Louisiana military bases. It modifies existing eligibility rules without changing funding or creating new benefits, focusing solely on qualifying veterans for technical college financial aid.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans by modifying TOPS-Tech eligibility criteria without reducing funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands TOPS-Tech eligibility for Louisiana veterans with military discharge docs, meeting ACT score requirement, directly advancing educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

died · Louisiana · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 910: TAX CREDITS: Exempts the Dept. of Education from enrollment verification requirements for certain students

HB 910 exempts the Louisiana Department of Education from verifying student enrollment in public schools for scholarship recipients from school tuition organizations. Specifically, it removes the requirement that the Department check if students were enrolled in Louisiana public schools on October 1st or February 1st for those attending public elementary/secondary laboratory schools operated by colleges or universities. This change streamlines administrative processes for these specific students without altering the tax credit eligibility rules. The bill directly affects students in public lab schools and the Department of Education’s verification workflow. It does not impact other scholarship recipients or the tax credit amount itself.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves administrative barrier for scholarship students in college-operated lab schools, facilitating access to educational funding without direct funding increase.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 274: HIGHER EDUCATION: Provides relative to initial eligibility requirements for the M.J. Foster Promise Program (OR INCREASE SD EX See Note)

HB 274 amends Louisiana's M.J. Foster Promise Program eligibility rules to allow students with certain criminal convictions to qualify for financial aid. It removes disqualification for 12 specific non-violent offenses (like second-degree battery, simple robbery, and aggravated arson) that were previously listed as disqualifying crimes. Previously, any conviction for a "crime of violence" barred applicants, but this bill creates exceptions for these 12 offenses under R.S. 13:5401(B)(1)(f). The change directly affects students enrolled in two-year public colleges or qualifying programs who were previously ineligible due to these specific convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves disqualification for 12 non-violent offenses from financial aid eligibility, promoting rehabilitation access and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers to higher education financial aid by allowing students with certain non-violent convictions to qualify, expanding educational access under the M.J. Foster Promise Program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Student Financial Aid

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signed · Louisiana · House Jun 8, 2026

HB 325: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 325 revises Louisiana's TOPS-Tech scholarship eligibility by adding a new pathway for students to qualify. Instead of requiring only a minimum GPA or ACT score, students can now qualify by completing at least nine credit hours of early college coursework (through dual enrollment or technical programs) or equivalent validated skills. This change applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in college during or after the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects Louisiana students seeking this career-focused scholarship by expanding how they can meet academic requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds alternative pathway for TOPS-Tech eligibility via early college coursework, expanding access to higher education scholarships for Louisiana students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Louisiana · House Jun 1, 2026

HB 448: STUDENT/LOANS-SCHOLARSHP: Authorizes scholarships provided for firefighters and police officers injured in the line of duty and spouses of firefighters and police officers injured or killed in the line of duty to be used for any postgraduate degree (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 448 expands existing scholarship programs to allow firefighters injured in the line of duty (or their spouses if the firefighter was killed or seriously injured resulting in inability to work) to use their benefits for master's degree programs, not just bachelor's degrees. The bill maintains full tuition and fee waivers (including room and board) and a $250-per-semester book stipend for qualifying individuals who maintain a "C" average. Eligibility requires meeting college entrance requirements and academic standards as full-time students. The policy change, funded by Louisiana's general state fund, applies to both injured firefighters and their spouses directly affected by on-duty injuries or fatalities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship eligibility to include master's degrees for firefighters' families, enhancing higher education access and opportunity within existing funding structure.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands educational benefits for firefighters injured on duty, supporting career advancement and worker welfare through master's degree eligibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 935: TOPS: Provides for TOPS awards to students enrolled in graduate medical sciences at certain institutions (OR +$45,600 GF EX See Note)

HB 935 amends Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program to allow students who complete undergraduate degrees early (in under eight semesters) to continue receiving full scholarship benefits for graduate medical sciences programs. It applies only to nonpublic colleges or universities that meet four specific criteria: offering graduate medical sciences programs, being physically collocated with a public university since 2020, billing tuition through that public institution, and not being part of Louisiana's independent colleges association. Students must maintain academic standards to retain the award. This policy change expands TOPS coverage to graduate medical education at qualifying institutions without altering the core scholarship structure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends TOPS scholarship funding to graduate medical programs, expanding higher education access and financial support for students in specific STEM fields.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 935 expands funding for medical education by allowing TOPS scholarships for graduate medical sciences, directly supporting healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Louisiana · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 394: SCHOOLS: Allows parents to voluntarily sign a limited waiver of student privacy rights in order to streamline and expedite tuition payments for LA Gator students who are enrolled full time in BESE approved nonpublic schools. (gov sig) (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

SB 394 modifies Louisiana's LA GATOR Scholarship Program to allow parents of full-time students enrolled in BESE-approved nonpublic schools to voluntarily sign a limited privacy waiver. This waiver permits the state to share specific student information (like name, birth date, and enrollment status) with the scholarship program manager and school, enabling faster tuition payments to avoid disruptions in student attendance or reserved spots. The waiver is strictly limited in scope - only for tuition payment processing - and does not override all privacy rights; parents can revoke consent in writing at any time. The bill also mandates data security safeguards for protected information and requires a clear, standardized consent form explaining what data is shared and why.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill streamlines tuition payments for LA GATOR scholarship students in nonpublic schools, expanding educational access by removing bureaucratic barriers to enrollment in approved institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Louisiana · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 678: TOPS: Authorizes students who qualify for a TOPS award but graduate from an out-of-state college to apply unused award amounts to medical or dental school in Louisiana and requires repayment unless certain conditions are met (OR +$367,110 GF EX See Note)

HB 678 allows Louisiana students who qualified for a TOPS scholarship but completed their undergraduate degree at an out-of-state college to use unused TOPS funds for medical or dental school in Louisiana. Students must sign a repayment agreement for the unused amount plus interest, but are exempt from repayment if they complete a residency program or practice medicine/dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after residency. The bill limits unused funds to eight semesters or equivalent and caps payments at the tuition cost of Louisiana’s highest-cost public university. It requires the Board of Regents to establish rules for repayment collection and exceptions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows unused TOPS funds to support medical/dental education in Louisiana, expanding access to higher education opportunities for students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill redirects scholarship funds to medical/dental education with repayment exemptions for in-state practice, directly expanding healthcare workforce access and retention in Louisiana.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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