Changes to TOPS Program Take Center Stage in House Committee Today

The House Education Committee is set to meet today to talk about several possible changes to the TOPS Scholarship Program.

One big change would make the money a loan if students drop out or fail classes. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says when you offer something for free, there will always be people who will abuse the system.

"Making sure these students take this opportunity seriously, that's one of the easier calls for me."

Stokes says many students who drop out of college do it in their freshman year. She says lawmakers will look at an amendment so student would not be penalized if they are able to graduate later.

Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey has a proposal that would raise the GPA requirement to retain the scholarship once a recipient is in college. The bill would raise the minimum GPA from a 2.3 to a 2.5 for the first year, and from a 2.5 to a 2.75 for the last three years.

Ivey says the TOPS program was always intended to be performance-based. He says these small changes to TOPS will keep the program intact for more students in the future.

Minden Representative Gene Reynolds is on the House Education Committee and he supports making some minor changes to protect the future of TOPS.