The Tuition Opportunity Program for Students has been a blessing to many students, both at the University and other state colleges. Now, with a new governor soon to be elected, many people wonder what the future of the program will be.
Travis Lavigne, chairman of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, said the program first was enacted by state Rep. Charles McDonald, D-Bastrop, in the 1997 regular legislative session.
“Apparently, Rep. McDonald believed that the expansion of existing student aid programs was essential to encourage all students to improve their academic performance and to pursue higher education in the state, the effect of which would be to improve the state’s economy to the benefit of all residents,” Lavigne said. Lavigne stressed that the implementation of TOPS has been a combined effort of members of the state Legislature and Gov. Mike Foster.
The first funds under the TOPS banner were distributed in the 1998-1999 fiscal year, Lavigne said. Those funds amounted to more than $54 million. Since then, the state has given more than $417 million to students to attend college.
Lavigne said all the money has come from the state legislature designating funds specifically for the TOPS program.
Lavigne said Foster has supported TOPS and has been strong in his commitment to continue it, working with the state Legislature to ensure funds for the program.
“Through the years since enactment, the governor has signed every bill passed by the Legislature that amended the TOPS program,” Lavigne said. “The governor also promoted a bill that provided an opportunity for students to be able to apply for TOPS after the application deadline had passed, subject to certain penalties.”
Lavigne said the TOPS program is expected to have a budget of $103.8 million for 2003-2004. However, Lavigne said the act that designates these funds has a “more or less” estimation, meaning that whatever the cost of the program, it will be fully funded this budget year.
“If this amount is not sufficient to fund all eligible students, additional funds will be made available for that purpose,” Lavigne said.
Lavigne said the role of the governor is important because he or she must provide the overall support for the program.
“It starts with the governor’s support for the initiative,” Lavigne said. “While the governor does not micro-manage the program, he does give his support.”
Lavigne said since funding is dependent upon legislative appropriations, “no assurance of funding after the current year can be provided.”
Lavigne said Louisiana’s next governor, as well as members of the state Legislature, will have to continue to fully finance the program through legislative appropriations.
“It’ll be extremely important for the next governor to support the program,” Lavigne said. “It sets the tone for the Legislature.”
Lavigne said this will pose a challenge, particularly in light of the expected 2004-2005 budget shortfall.
Lavigne said the shortfalls may occur because there is no expected increase in federal or other outside dollars in the upcoming years.
“Someone will need to prioritize, much as the legislature did this year, and tough decisions will have to be made,” Lavigne said.