TOPS (or lack of it) and the effect on LSU

The new student housing complexes are fricked.

quote:

---

Do you here

---

I think so

I'd rather see them make the GPA and ACT requirements for TOPS tougher and give full TOPS scholarships to fewer students than to give small TOPS scholarships to a bunch of kids, a large chunk of which might not graduate anyway

Enrollment by in state students will decrease, usage of federally backed student loans will increase, schooarships will likely stay the same, out of state enrollment will increase, graduation rate will increase, housing bubble near campus will burst and burst hard.

TOPS is still a great deal for those who qualify.

Before they tightened the belt, any swinging dick could get a good sum of money to go to LSU. In a lot of cases, marginal students would spend a few semesters at LSU, paying the bare minimum, and then leave or flunk out; making any tuition paid through tops essentially dead money.

Louisiana higher Ed is fricked until people get this "chicken in every pot" mentality out of their heads. College isn't for everyone, we don't need a four year university in every Podunk town in the state, and just because little Johnny can fill out out his name on an ACT scantron, shouldn't mean that he's entitled to free money to attend college.


ETA

quote:

---

Which in the grand scheme of things, $500 per semester isn't that bad of a deal if you're getting a degree in return.

---

its an incredible deal. The fact that people complain (I'm not saying that you are) that they have to pay a few hundred or even a few thousand a year to attend a four year univeristy is mind boggling.

Very few other states make education this accessible and this affordable. And not surprisingly, Louisiana ranks at or near the bottom in most higher education categories, because of the wasted funds and the devaluation of a Lousiana degree compared to other state universities.

quote:

---

Really hurting and costing me!!

---

Hopefully they have a worthwhile major and make them take out student loans.
My parents somewhat force me to take one out to pay for my housing every year.

If they have their head on straight, get a good degree+job upon graduation, and are frugal enough to pay off their debt then it's not a huge deal IMO.

quote:

---

What's the word on TOPS around campus?

---

Nothing yet. Still waiting to see what comes out of the regular session in April.

There have been a number of ideas thrown around by the Board of Regents including selling naming rights to TOPS, scaling payments based on academic level (fresh, soph, etc), and increasing retention requirements. So far, nothing has been approved or really agreed on. Don't expect much to change in terms of barrier to entry.

The real numbers and future will come from the regular session.

Administrators are aware of the merit scholarship values and the comparisons to other schools.

It's funny how conservatives hate socialist programs and free stuff for people that cant afford things until you take theirs away.

I can't tell you how many kids I know that had no intention of ever going to school for more than one year that got TOPS and took advantage of it.

They used it as a one year frick off period before dropping out and going to work. The money being wasted is insane.

Check out this link:

LINK

Shows an average cost breakdown for everything. You can also use the links at the bottom of the page to see the actual costs for housing, meal plans, etc.

If you have any specific questions, let me know.