Louisiana legislature introduces Excellence Award for top ACT students in 2025

Louisiana's House Bill 77, introduced on April 16, 2025, aims to enhance the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) by introducing a new scholarship tier and revising award amounts. This legislation is designed to incentivize academic excellence among high school students and ensure that financial support aligns with current educational costs.

The bill establishes an "Excellence" award for students achieving an ACT score of 31 or higher, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year. This new tier adds to the existing scholarship levels—TOPS-Tech, Opportunity, Performance, and Honors—each based on specific academic criteria, including GPA and core curriculum completion. By recognizing high-achieving students, the bill seeks to motivate more Louisiana students to excel academically.

In a significant shift, House Bill 77 also disconnects the calculation of award amounts from the tuition rates of the 2016-2017 academic year. Instead, it ties awards to current tuition rates, including mandatory fees, ensuring that financial assistance reflects the realities of today's educational expenses. This change is expected to provide more substantial support to students as they navigate the rising costs of higher education.

The introduction of this bill has sparked discussions among educators and policymakers regarding its potential impact on student performance and college enrollment rates. Proponents argue that the Excellence award will encourage students to strive for higher ACT scores, while critics express concerns about the sustainability of funding for these enhanced awards.

As Louisiana prepares to implement these changes, the implications for students and educational institutions could be profound. By aligning financial incentives with academic achievement, House Bill 77 aims to foster a culture of excellence in Louisiana's schools, potentially leading to increased college attendance and graduation rates in the state. The bill's progress will be closely monitored as stakeholders assess its effectiveness in achieving these goals.