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HB 935

TOPS: Provides for TOPS awards to students enrolled in graduate medical sciences at certain institutions (OR +$45,600 GF EX See Note)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Turner

Expands Louisiana's TOPS scholarship program to graduate medical sciences, costing $45,600 in state funds to boost physician workforce development and retention.

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Bill Summary · HB 935

Legislative bill overview

HB 935 expands Louisiana's TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) scholarship to cover graduate medical sciences programs at eligible institutions. Currently, TOPS primarily supports undergraduate education; this bill extends the program to graduate-level medical training, requiring approximately $45,600 in additional general fund expenditures.

Why is this important

Louisiana faces physician shortages, particularly in rural areas, and expanding TOPS to graduate medical education could incentivize medical school graduates to remain in-state for specialized training and practice. This directly affects healthcare workforce development and the state's ability to retain trained medical professionals who might otherwise relocate after completing their degrees elsewhere.

Potential points of contention

  • Budget impact during fiscal constraints: The $45,600 general fund expense adds to state spending when Louisiana may face competing budget priorities in education, healthcare, and infrastructure
  • Program scope creep: Expanding TOPS beyond undergraduate education changes the program's original mission and could create pressure to extend benefits to other graduate disciplines (law, engineering, business), multiplying costs
  • Equity and accessibility questions: Graduate medical programs typically serve students from higher-income backgrounds; critics may argue TOPS funds should prioritize undergraduate access for lower-income students first
  • Retention effectiveness uncertainty: No guarantee that scholarship recipients will remain in Louisiana after graduation, potentially wasting state investment if they practice elsewhere

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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