Patrick F. Taylor conceived the idea of the “Taylor Plan” in 1988 when he was asked to speak to 183 underachieving inner-city students at Livingston Middle School in New Orleans East. Just a year later, the original Louisiana Taylor Plan became law as a result of his initiatives and today the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is among the most innovative and progressive student assistance programs in the nation. TOPS offers scholarships to state residents who attend either one of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana approved Proprietary and Cosmetology Schools or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Under this program high school graduates with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average can earn a scholarship equal to tuition at a public college or university.