2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 17 — Education
RS 17:3048.5 — Tops-tech early start award; purpose; eligibility; award amounts limitations; administration; implementation; reports


LA Rev Stat § 17:3048.5 What's This?

§3048.5. TOPS-Tech Early Start Award; purpose; eligibility; award amounts limitations; administration; implementation; reports

A. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award is hereby established as part of the Louisiana Taylor Opportunity Program for Students for eligible eleventh and twelfth grade students attending Louisiana public high schools.

B.(1) A TOPS-Tech Early Start Award may be used at a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution for the purpose of pursuing an industry-based occupational or vocational education credential as defined by the Board of Regents when such credential also meets all of the following conditions:

(a) Is identified by the Occupation Forecasting Conference as a credential for an occupation in top demand in Louisiana.

(b) Is recognized by the State Industry-Based Certification Council.

(c) Is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and by the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges.

(2) An eligible recipient may receive a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award for two semesters during the eleventh grade and two semesters during the twelfth grade, excluding summer sessions.

(3) The administering agency, on behalf of a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award recipient, shall pay to the Louisiana postsecondary education institution in which the student is enrolled in an eligible program of studies an amount of one hundred fifty dollars for each three credit-hour or equivalent time course taken by the student, not to exceed two such courses per high school semester for an eleventh-grade student and two such courses per high school semester for a twelfth-grade student.

(4) Implementation of the provisions of this Section shall be subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose.

C. An application for a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award shall be required at a time and in a manner and form established by the administering agency. At a minimum, information necessary to fully inform Louisiana public high school students and their parents on the requirements of and procedures for applying for the award shall be made available by the administering agency in the same manner as required by law for other awards provided by the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students.

D. To be eligible for an initial TOPS-Tech Early Start Award, a student shall meet each of the following conditions and comply with other applicable provisions of this Section and administering agency rules:

(1) Be in the eleventh or twelfth grade in a Louisiana public school.

(2) Have prepared a five-year education and career plan, including a sequence of related courses with a career focus as provided by Subpart A-1 of Part III of Chapter 1 of this Title.

(3) Have a cumulative high school grade point average on all courses attempted of not less than 2.0 when calculated on a 4.0 scale.

(4) Have at least the minimum scores required to pass the mathematics and English portions of the graduation exit exam established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(5) Score at least fifteen on the English subsection and fifteen on the mathematics subsection of the ACT PLAN assessment administered as part of Louisiana's Educational Planning and Assessment System.

E. To maintain continuing eligibility for a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award, a student must meet each of the following conditions and comply with other applicable provisions of this Section and administering agency rules:

(1) Be a student in good standing in a Louisiana public high school.

(2) Maintain a cumulative high school grade point average on all courses attempted of not less than 2.0 when calculated on a 4.0 scale.

(3) Be a student in good standing while enrolled in a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution and continue to pursue one or more courses leading to an industry-based credential.

F.(1) The provisions of this Section shall be administered by the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, herein referred to as the "administering agency". Except as otherwise provided by this Section, the authority granted to and limitations placed on the administering agency by R.S. 17:3048.1 relative to administering other awards pursuant to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students shall be deemed to apply also to the administration of the TOPS-Tech Early Start Award.

(2) The agency shall adopt, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, rules to implement and administer the provisions of this Section. Such rules shall include but not be limited to necessary guidelines, policies, procedures, forms, and time lines.

(3) The administering agency, in accordance with a plan approved by the Board of Regents, may implement the provisions of this Section initially on a pilot basis. However, if implemented on a pilot basis, it is the intention of the legislature that full implementation be achieved at the earliest time possible.

G. Prior to the convening of each regular legislative session, the Board of Regents, in consultation with the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, shall provide to the governor, the House Committee on Education, and the Senate Committee on Education a written review and analysis of TOPS-Tech Early Start awards relative to award use by students and the benefits therefrom as well as the impact on subsequent use by students of TOPS-Tech awards.

Acts 2005, No. 348, §1, eff. June 30, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 652, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.

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