Louisiana House Bill 325 updates TOPS-Tech eligibility criteria to include early college credits and allows part-time enrollment

Original title: TOPS: Provides relative to TOPS-Tech (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)

Last action · June 8, 2026: Effective date: 06/08/2026.Sponsors: Ken Brass and 48 others

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What This Bill Does

Louisiana HB 325 revises the initial and continuing eligibility criteria for the TOPS-Tech scholarship program, allowing students graduating in or after the 2026-2027 academic year to qualify through s and permitting part-time enrollment for award recipients.

Why it matters

High school and college students in Louisiana gain an alternative pathway to qualify for vocational scholarships through dual enrollment, and current recipients gain the option to maintain funding while enrolled part-time starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

TOPS-Tech award recipients

Students can maintain scholarship eligibility while enrolled part-time starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Directly affected

Louisiana high school students

Students graduating in or after the 2026-2027 academic year gain an alternative qualification path through early college credits.

Key Facts

Students graduating in or after the 2026-2027 academic year can qualify for a TOPS-Tech award by meeting at least two of three criteria: core curriculum GPA, minimum ACT score, or at least nine credit hours of early college credit or approved equivalent skills.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, TOPS-Tech recipients are permitted to maintain continued state payment while enrolled either part-time or full-time.
Payment of TOPS-Tech awards for part-time students shall be made only from monies remaining in funds appropriated for paying TOPS awards.
Maintaining eligibility requires a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and no criminal convictions other than misdemeanor traffic violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can students qualify for a TOPS-Tech award under the new rules?

Starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, students must meet at least two of three requirements: a minimum grade point average on the core curriculum, a minimum ACT score, or successful completion of at least nine credit hours of or approved equivalent skills.

Can TOPS-Tech recipients enroll part-time and still receive funding?

Yes, beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, students may maintain continued state payment while enrolled either full-time or part-time, provided part-time payments are made only from remaining appropriated funds.

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

23 actions

Jun 8, 2026HouseEnrolled
Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 794.
Jun 8, 2026House
Effective date: 06/08/2026.
Jun 1, 2026House
Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
May 31, 2026SenateEnrolled
Signed by the President of the Senate.
May 29, 2026HouseEnrolled
Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
May 28, 2026SenateFloor
Read by title, passed by a vote of 31 yeas and 2 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Show 17 earlier actions

May 28, 2026House
Received from the Senate without amendments.
May 27, 2026SenateCommittee
Rules suspended. Reported favorably. Rules suspended. Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
May 27, 2026SenateFloor
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
May 19, 2026SenateIntroduced
Read by title. Recommitted to the Committee on Finance.
May 18, 2026SenateCommittee
Reported favorably.
Apr 28, 2026SenateCommittee
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Apr 27, 2026HouseFloor
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 91, nays 6. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
Apr 27, 2026Senate
Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
Apr 23, 2026House
Scheduled for floor debate on 04/27/2026.
Apr 22, 2026HouseFloor
Read by title, amended, ordered reengrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
Apr 21, 2026House
Reported with amendments (15-0).
Apr 1, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations.
Mar 31, 2026House
Reported with amendments (13-0).
Mar 9, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Education.
Feb 27, 2026House
First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
Feb 24, 2026House
Prefiled.
Feb 24, 2026HouseCommittee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Education.

Version history

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