For college students who choose to stay in-state, there could be new changes coming to the requirements for the TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) scholarship.
Earlier this week Louisiana lawmakers signed off on a bill that allows students to substitute computer coding for a foreign language when being considered for TOPS eligibility.
Senate Bill 191 by Senator Sharon Hewitt amends the requirements of eligibility for a TOPS scholarship. Students can use two credits of computer coding in high school, instead of two credits of a foreign language.
Opponents of the bill were worried it could lead to districts cutting language programs. But Sen. Hewitt says they can still take both.
Supporters of the move say it was a long time coming because the jobs in the field are endless. More than 50,000 students across Louisiana receive tuition payments through TOPS.
Gov. John Bel Edwards will have twenty days to consider signing the bill or not, or he could just let it become law without any obstruction.
