LAC 28:IV.1001. General Provisions

A. Legislative Authority. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award was created by Act 348 of the 2005 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature and amended by Act 737 of the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature. B.1. Description, History and Purpose. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award is established as part of the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) to provide grants for Louisiana residents taking a technical or applied course in pursuit of occupational or vocational training while being dually enrolled in a state public high school at the 11th and 12th grade levels and at a Louisiana public or nonpublic postsecondary institution or in an approved training program that offers an occupational or vocational education credential in a top demand occupation. The purpose of TOPS-Tech Early Start is to provide an incentive for qualified Louisiana public high school students to prepare for and pursue an industry-based occupational or vocational education credential in a top demand occupation while still in high school. 2. Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year (college), a TOPS-Tech Early Start Award may be used to fund any qualified program as determined by the M.J. Foster Promise Program Advisory Council. C. Effective Date. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award shall be first awarded beginning with the 2005-2006 award year to 11th and 12th grade students meeting the eligibility criteria set forth in this Chapter. D. Eligible Terms. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award is limited to 6 credit hours per semester and 12 credit hours each academic year (college). TOPS-Tech Early Start is not payable for summer semesters or sessions. E. Award Amount. The TOPS-Tech Early Start Award provides a payment not to exceed $300 for up to six credit hours each semester or $600 each academic year (college) at a rate of $50 per credit hour.