TOPS: Revises the initial and continuing eligibility requirements for a TOPS-Tech award and provides for the award amount at public colleges and universities (EG +$3,200,000 GF EX See Note)

HB 482 proposes to increase the TOPS-Tech scholarship award amount to $4,500 annually for students enrolled in eligible programs at Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) institutions, effective for first-time freshmen enrolling in 2026-2027 or later. It revises eligibility by requiring students to meet only two of three academic benchmarks (minimum GPA, ACT score, or early college credits) instead of all three, and allows deferral of award acceptance until age 25 for LCTCS students. The bill also adjusts academic progress requirements, including a minimum 2.00 GPA and continuous enrollment standards, to maintain eligibility. These changes directly affect Louisiana students pursuing technical degrees at LCTCS colleges.