LA HB678

Students who qualified for TOPS (Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award) upon high school graduation but completed their undergraduate degree out-of-state may apply unused award amounts toward medical or dental school at Louisiana institutions starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Eligible programs include doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathic medicine, or doctor of dentistry degrees at Louisiana public institutions, LAICU member colleges, or Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine campuses in the state.

Students must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay all award amounts plus interest upon graduation or leaving the program.

Repayment is waived if the student practices medicine or dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after completing residency; payments are also deferred during residency.

Award amounts are capped at the lesser of the medical/dental program tuition or the highest-cost Louisiana public university undergraduate tuition, with a maximum of eight semesters of unused awards.