Budget approved, TOPS will be fully funded for the fall semester

BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers introduced and passed a plan to fully fund TOPS for the fall semester, but students will still have to pay more out of pocket come the spring. The House also passed a budget with about 40 minutes to go before the end of the session.

The plan front-loads TOPS funding for the next fiscal year which covers the fall and spring semesters. That means that TOPS scholarships will be paid in full for students now, but they'll have to pick up the tab on the other 30% when spring rolls around unless more revenue is generated between now and December.

LSU president @lsuprez not a fan of front-loading TOPS. "We're really rolling the dice on this one." #lalege pic.twitter.com/PkJMF8fjnq — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016



After that bill was passed, it became crunch time in the house, but with just about an hour to go before the end of the Special Session, there was a temporary blackout in the House chambers.

The moments before and after House blackout. Can only see @MelindaDeslatte illuminated by her computer #lalege pic.twitter.com/53Svd4gnBG — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016

After the lights came back on and some more debate, a House passed a budget that fully funds TOPS for the fall.

House passes budget 56-43 #lalege — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016

Gov. John Bel Edwards addressed the media following the conclusion of the session.

JBE notes successes of budget like fully funding higher-ed. Colleges were made whole with last year's budget #lalege — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016

JBE says he's not proud of cuts to K-12 #lalege — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016

JBE says he had a plan to fully fund TOPS but #lalege didn't approve — Mark Armstrong (@TvMarkArmstrong) June 24, 2016