re: Check in here if you already graduated so you DGAF about this TOPS suspension

Don't recall when it started but the floodgates open in 1997 when income requirements were removed

In 1997, State Representative Charles R. McDonald of Bastrop in Morehouse Parish joined in a bipartisan fashion with Republican Governor Murphy J. Foster, Jr., to procure passage of Act 1375, a plan which opened the TOPS scholarships to all with a 2.5 grade point average and at least a score of 19 on the ACT. Family income was removed as a consideration for eligibility. Those with higher grades received $400 to $800 in extra funding to help meet the costs of other college expenses. McDonald's legislation was approved unanimously in both the House and Senate.

Edit: started in 1989 with a income cap which was removed in 1997
LINK /

In 1989, the original Louisiana Taylor Plan became law as a result of Mr. Patrick F. Taylor’s educational initiatives. Governor Roemer signed ACT 789 into law creating the first state-funded, merit-based college tuition program in the country called the Louisiana College Tuition Plan (LCTP). Students were required to earn 17.5 units in the core curriculum, score a minimum 18 composite score on the ACT, and earn a 2.5 grade point average. In 1992, the program was renamed the Tuition Assistance Plan (TAP) by ACT 887 and ACT 718. Both programs had an income cap.

In 1997, Governor Foster signed into law ACT 1375 and ACT 287 changing TAP to the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). The income cap was removed, the program was broadened and the core curriculum was adjusted to 16.5 units. With this law, all Louisiana students became eligible for awards based on their academic performance.