The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance announced today that it will resume TOPS payments for up to 80 percent of students’ award amounts next Thursday while Nicholls administrators are creating contingency plans to make up for the remaining 20 percent.

“This morning, Nicholls was notified that TOPS would pay 80 percent of what they owe each institution, and universities would be required to absorb the unpaid costs,” Stephanie Verdin, spokesperson for Nicholls State University said. “At Nicholls, this loss of TOPS funding amounts to a $1.04 million budget cut that must be wholly absorbed in the final four months of the year.”

In Governor John Bel Edwards’ live statewide address last night, he announced that a special three-week session would begin on Sunday to address the state budget issues. Verdin said that as the governor’s special session is underway, Nicholls administrators are discussing numerous contingency plans for the rest of this fiscal year and for next year.

“If additional state funding is withheld following the special session, the impact would be devastating to all Louisiana universities, causing irreparable harm to thousands of college students and future generations of Louisianans,” Verdin said.

Yesterday, University President Bruce Murphy held special presentations for students and faculty on the future of higher education. A video of the presentation is available to view on the Nicholls website. Murphy urged everyone to contact their legislators and voice their concerns for higher education.