Is the TOPS Program Spending Too Much?

A new report says Louisiana spends too much on college tuition through the TOPS program for students who can afford college and short-changes those who can't. 

The policy group Louisiana Budget Project recommends strengthening the academic requirements for TOPS and capping the program. 

The $139-million-a-year program pays full tuition at state schools for any Louisiana resident, regardless of income, who has a 2.5 high school grade-point average and scores 20 or above on the ACT college aptitude test.
The report says Louisiana's standards are lower than similar programs in other states — and have resulted in millions of tax dollars subsidizing mediocre students from wealthy families who would pay for their children's education if TOPS weren't available.