Louisiana higher education board troubled by number of TOPS recipients from millionaire households

State has paid tuition for 11,000 students in top income bracket, officials say


Louisiana Board of Regents members said it was “very troubling and disappointing” to find out that over the last 10 years, TOPS funding paid the college tuition for more than 11,000 Louisiana students whose parents had an income of $1 million or more.

In a report to the board Wednesday, Susannah Craig, deputy commissioner for academic affairs, said the scholarship program has funded the tuition of more than 11,000 students from millionaire households over the past decade.

Board member Collis Temple III asked if “there was a way to put a cap on income” for TOPS recipients.

“I’m in a fortunate situation… My children will probably qualify for TOPS when the opportunity presents itself, but I wouldn’t mind saying ‘You know what? They earned it, but I’m still going to pay [their tuition] if they decide to stay in state because that money can go to somebody else,’” Temple said.

“Am I crazy for that?” he said.

Read more: https://lailluminator.com/2021/10/22/louisiana-higher-ed-board-troubled-by-number-of-tops-recipients-from-millionaire-households/