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TOPS Benefit

Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:40 pm
Posted by RoosterCogburn585
Member since Aug 2011
1804 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:40 pm
Do you think that the TOPS program has led to the overall increase of cost of college in Louisiana? From when I went to college 20 years ago to now, the cost of college has increased over 200%.
This post was edited on 7/8/24 at 3:44 pm
Posted by O
Mandeville
Member since Oct 2011
6780 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:41 pm to
It's great for sending well qualified grads to Texas.
Posted by BeerMoney
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2012
8871 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:42 pm to
Increase of attendance? Probably. I wouldn’t have gone without it.
Posted by AwesomeSauce
Das Boot
Member since May 2015
11313 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:42 pm to
quote:

Do you think that the TOPS program has led to the overall increase of college in Louisiana? From when I went to college 20 years ago to now, the cost of college has increased over 200%.
I'd argue federally backed student loans has been a much larger factor.
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
178086 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:42 pm to
i think it do but i always don't know
Posted by tylerlsu2008
Monaco
Member since Jul 2015
1524 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:43 pm to
Increase in what, costs? College has increased in costs everywhere, that is not Louisiana specific.

IIRC, LSU tuition has always been very reasonable compared to peers.

All I know is I doubt TOPS ever did what they thought it may do -- stop the brain drain. I took advantage of it and hit the road a few weeks later after graduation. Until they can better build the economy / make it more attractive, the brain drain will continue.

Posted by RoosterCogburn585
Member since Aug 2011
1804 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:45 pm to
I'd have to agree with you. Any time the government gets involved, what is going to limit price increases? The commodity becomes insulated from true market forces of supply and demand.
Posted by AwesomeSauce
Das Boot
Member since May 2015
11313 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:47 pm to
quote:

Any time the government gets involved, what is going to limit price increases?
Government involvement just means quality will diminish and price will skyrocket because the bill will be paid by the taxpayer in the long run.
Posted by CaptainJ47
Gonzales
Member since Nov 2007
7774 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:48 pm to
I would love to measure TOPS as a % of total attendance costs. I know when my son went to UL they couldn’t raise tuition because TOPS paid for so much so in turn they raised fees. I bet the % of attendance cost covered by TOPS has plunged thereby making it less effective.
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
34183 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:49 pm to
TOPS should be a forgivable loan that is dissolved after you file 4-5 tax returns in Louisiana after graduating.
Posted by GhostofLesticleMiles
High Plains Drifter
Member since Sep 2019
1142 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:50 pm to
If the LA tax payer is paying for this, maybe a requirement of staying and working in state should be attached to the recipients. 2 years or more?
Posted by tigerfoot
Alexandria
Member since Sep 2006
61271 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:04 pm to
I went to NLU. Yes, dumb and poor!

My last semester the check from my parents for tuition and fees was in the 800 dollar range. Let’s say 875. That was fall semester of 91.

I just looked it up, it is 4594.94 per semester for 12 hours

That is amazing


This post was edited on 7/8/24 at 4:05 pm
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
20231 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:05 pm to

Housing around LSU instantly went up in quality and cost right after TOPS started.
Posted by jizzle6609
Houston
Member since Jul 2009
19679 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:09 pm to
It has been a contributor.

Many many folks got to go to school for free in Louisiana, no strings attached, then bailed for money in Texas asap.

No one in my immediate family (sisters/brother in laws) have paid for college because of TOPS. Its kind of comical at this point see what TOPS is now. Sucks for eveyrone who took it for granted and didnt utilize it properly but the state fumbled by not making students repay a portion if they were moving out of state.

LOL. Louisiana, it never fails.
Posted by jizzle6609
Houston
Member since Jul 2009
19679 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:11 pm to
quote:

It's great for sending well qualified grads to Texas.


Facts

The program helped the state Westbound.

It really did.
Posted by KamaCausey_LSU
Member since Apr 2013
17547 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:13 pm to
quote:

From when I went to college 20 years ago to now, the cost of college has increased over 200%.

More than 200% for sure.

Annual Tuition, Fees, Housing, and Meal Plan (From LSU's website; does not include books, extracurriculars, club fees, etc.)

2004-2005: $10,108
2024-2025: $26,650

And LSU is one of the cheapest flagship schools in the nation.
Posted by nicholastiger
Member since Jan 2004
55467 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:15 pm to
The legislature still has authority over tuition that universities set and whether or not to approve

it's the fees that LSU has raised to offset cost of attendance and yes those are outrageous plus the ridiculous food plan you are required to have while living on campus
Posted by GrammarKnotsi
Member since Feb 2013
10127 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:28 pm to
quote:

Facts

The program helped the state Westbound.

It really did.


I'm confused as to how a scholarship that only pays for in state schools, drove kids to Texas
Posted by EvrybodysAllAmerican
Member since Apr 2013
12789 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:31 pm to
quote:

All I know is I doubt TOPS ever did what they thought it may do -- stop the brain drain.


Simple solution was to require people to stay in state a year for every year of tops tuition received . Leave early and you have to pay it back. Many would get established in state and stay for good.
Posted by Dragula
Laguna Seca
Member since Jun 2020
6737 posts
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:32 pm to
quote:


It's great for sending well qualified grads to Texas.


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