Earlier today, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance alerted universities across the state of an immediate suspension of TOPS payments in direct relation to the uncertainty of the state budget.

The Nicholls State University Office of Communications released a statement after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ live statewide address this evening. Nicholls Spokeswoman Stephanie Verdin said that the University is waiting on additional details from the state and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance to determine how the suspension of TOPS would impact Nicholls students.

“Currently, we do not have enough information to further comment on its potential impact,” Verdin said. “Nicholls will continue to provide high-quality education at the level which the people of Louisiana decide that they want it, as expressed through their representatives. About a third of Nicholls students are on TOPS currently.”

During his speech, Edwards announced that a three-week special session on state financial problems will begin Sunday.

“The Louisiana TOPS scholarship fund is now so depleted that fewer high school students will receive awards and current recipients are in jeopardy of losing their existing scholarships,” Edwards said. “Even with additional revenue, higher education this year will need to cut $42 million. This will be combined with a $28 million cut in TOPS scholarship funds that the universities will have to absorb, resulting in the largest mid-year cut in Louisiana history.”

The current state budget faces up to a $940 million shortfall this year. In his address, Edwards urged listeners to contact their state legislators, otherwise higher education will face “catastrophic cuts over the next 4 months.”