Louisiana spends too much on subsidizing education for students who can afford it through the TOPS program and spends far below the national average on need-based aid, according to a report released by the Louisiana Budget Project.
The report by the state policy group parallels comments made by higher education leaders late last week.
The report states since the income cap was removed from the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students — or TOPS — the percentage of recipients coming from higher income families has increased drastically.
According to the report, 39 percent of students receiving the TOPS awards come from families with annual income between $75,000 and $149,000.
The report also takes issue with the state’s allocation of need-based financial aid, saying Louisiana spends 17 percent of student financial assistance on need-based aid. The report claims that is less than a third of the national average.
The report suggests phasing in more stringent academic requirements for the program than the 2.5 GPA required in high school to receive the smallest TOPS award.
This suggestion was echoed by Chancellor Michael Martin at an unrelated panel discussion on higher education issues Friday.
“If it is going to be merit based, as it allegedly is now, then it really should have more merit in it than it does,” Martin said.
Martin said students are more motivated when they have more invested in completing their education.
“If you have your own skin in the game, you are more inclined to take it seriously,” Martin said. “I do believe there are students who take TOPS and use it without necessarily being fully committed because there is no real cost for them.”
Martin said the state should consider ways to move some of the $130 million it invests annually into TOPS to need-based programs like the University’s Pelican Promise program.
The Pelican Promise covers costs for students who receive all other need-based aid but still have educational costs to be covered.
“The evidence suggests that the best form of financial aid with respect to success is work study,” Martin said. “I do think we have to think about a mix that includes TOPS and some other programs.” 
 
 
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contact Xerxes A. Wilson at [email protected]