Louisiana TOPS Scholarship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a Louisiana scholarship program that provides financial assistance to Louisiana high school graduates who meet specific academic requirements and choose to attend a Louisiana public college or university. Administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), TOPS aims to reward academic achievement and encourage students to pursue higher education within the state. This article provides a detailed overview of the TOPS scholarship, including eligibility criteria, award amounts, renewal requirements, and other important information.

Understanding the TOPS Scholarship Program

The TOPS scholarship program offers several award levels, each with its own set of eligibility requirements and award amounts. These awards include:

TOPS Opportunity Award
TOPS Performance Award
TOPS Honors Award
TOPS Excellence Award

Eligibility for these awards is primarily determined by a student's ACT score and TOPS Core Curriculum GPA.

TOPS Awards

TOPS Opportunity Award

The TOPS Opportunity Award pays the TOPS Award Amount, which is based on the cost of tuition set by the administering agency for a student at that particular institution for the 2016-2017 academic year unless increased by an Act of the Legislature.

TOPS Performance and Honors Award

Students are eligible to receive up to 4 academic years for the TOPS Performance and Honors Award. Funding is contingent upon appropriations by the Louisiana Legislature.

Read also: LSU Calendar Guide

TOPS Excellence Award

The TOPS Excellence Award was added by Act 347 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Eligibility for the TOPS Excellence Award begins with high school students graduating in the 2024 -2025 academic year.

Award Amount: Tuition and Fees or $12,000 (whichever is less)
If a student attends a public institution in Louisiana, the award pays an annual amount equal to tuition and fees as reported to the Board of Regents in the annual mandatory survey on tuition and fees, or $12,000, whichever is less.
LAICU Award Amount: Tuition and Fees or $8,500 (whichever is less)
If a student attends a private institution within the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU), the Award pays an annual amount equal to tuition and fees as reported to the Board of Regents in the annual mandatory survey on tuition and fees or $8,500, whichever is less.

Read also: Louisiana Scholarship Eligibility
LA National Guard Award Amount: Tuition Exemption + $600 Annual Book/Materials Stipend + $2000 Annual Educational Stipend
Students who are serving in the Louisiana National Guard will receive the tuition exemption as mandated by Louisiana state law. Students who are serving in the Louisiana National Guard and eligible for the Excellence Award, will receive a sum of $300 per semester ($600 per academic year) to be applied toward the cost of books and other instructional material. In addition, Louisiana National Guard Excellence Award recipients receive $1,000 per semester ($2,000 per academic year) for other educational expenses.

Initial Eligibility Requirements for TOPS

To be eligible for a TOPS scholarship, students must meet several requirements related to high school coursework, GPA, ACT score, and residency.

High School Requirements

Approved High School: A student must attend a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) APPROVED HIGH SCHOOL. All Louisiana public schools are approved. If the student attends a non-public school, it must be approved by BESE in order for the student to be considered for TOPS.
Home Study: If the student is enrolled in an approved home study program through the Louisiana Department of Education, they must meet specific TOPS home study requirements.

Academic Requirements

TOPS Core Curriculum GPA: A student must have a minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 2.50 (GPA computed on TOPS Core Curriculum courses only). For the TOPS Excellence Award, a minimum GPA of 3.50 is required.
TOPS Core Curriculum: A student must complete the required number of TOPS Core Curriculum units. The standard requirement is 19 units.
ACT Score: A student must earn a minimum ACT score, which varies depending on the TOPS award. TOPS does not accept an ACT Superscore.

Other Requirements

Citizenship: A student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Residency: A student must meet the TOPS Louisiana residency requirements.
Enrollment: A student must enroll full-time as a first-time freshman by the first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation.

Specific ACT Score and GPA Requirements for Different TOPS Awards

The specific ACT score and GPA requirements vary depending on the specific TOPS award:

TOPS Opportunity: 20 ACT or 1030 SAT score, GPA 2.50 (TOPS Core Curriculum)
TOPS Performance: 23 ACT or 1130 SAT score, GPA 3.25 (TOPS Core Curriculum)
TOPS Honors: 27 ACT or 1260 SAT score, GPA 3.50 (TOPS Core Curriculum)
TOPS Excellence: 31 ACT or 1360 SAT score, GPA 3.50 (TOPS Core Curriculum)

TOPS Tech Award Requirements

The TOPS Tech Award has specific requirements tailored to students pursuing technical or vocational programs:

A student must attend a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Approved High School. All Louisiana public schools are approved.
A student must have a minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 2.50 (GPA computed on TOPS Core Curriculum courses only).
A student must complete the 21 TOPS Tech Jumpstart Core Curriculum units. A student may also qualify for the TOPS Tech Award by completing the 19 units that comprise the TOPS Core Curriculum for the Opportunity, Performance, and Honors awards.
A student must earn a minimum ACT score of 17 or the Silver level score on the ACT WorkKeys.
A student must enroll full-time as a first-time freshman by the first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation.
A student must be a US citizen or permanent resident.
A student must meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements.
Funding is contingent upon appropriations by the Louisiana Legislature.

Maintaining TOPS Eligibility in College

Once a student receives a TOPS award, they must meet certain requirements to maintain their eligibility throughout their college career.

GPA Requirements

A student must maintain a minimum GPA to remain eligible for TOPS. The specific GPA requirement varies depending on the award level.
For the TOPS Performance or Honors Award, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at the end of each Spring semester. If the GPA is below this requirement, the TOPS award will be suspended and can be regained at a TOPS Opportunity level once a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better is attained.
At no time (by the end of each semester) can your cumulative GPA drop below a 2.0. If this happens, you will be suspended from TOPS immediately and remain so until you reestablish eligibility by earning a cumulative 2.5 GPA.

Credit Hour Requirements

A student must earn at least 24 credit hours for each academic year (the TOPS academic year begins with the fall term of the award year and concludes immediately before the next fall term commences. All intersessions and summer sessions are included).
You can use hours earned in the summer sessions to meet the 24 credit hours per academic year requirement.

Enrollment Requirements

A student must be enrolled full-time as of the 15th class day at a semester institution or as of the 10th class day at a quarter institution and maintain continuous enrollment.

Other Considerations

An incomplete (I) grade makes you ineligible for TOPS until that grade is completed. An assessment will then be done to determine eligibility. This means that if you do not complete the (I) grade at the beginning of the next semester, you will have to pay your tuition and be reimbursed when you regain eligibility.
If you are graduating at the end of the semester and require fewer than 12 credits to graduate, you may be eligible for TOPS with fewer than 12 credits. Notify the Financial Aid Office!

Consequences of Not Meeting Renewal Requirements

If a student fails to meet the renewal requirements, their TOPS award may be suspended or canceled.
If you have a 2.50 cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring semester but do not have the 24 credit hours passed, you can use hours earned in the summer sessions to meet the 24 credit hours per academic year requirement.
You will have one year after your TOPS award is suspended to reestablish your eligibility, beyond this time frame, your TOPS award will be cancelled.

Additional Information

The Student Hub

The Student Hub is an online system to help students track TOPS status while in high school and throughout the studentâs college career. High school students can track TOPS core curriculum requirements, TOPS GPA requirements and ACT scores while in high school. After high school graduation, students can track TOPS award eligibility, TOPS status, and receive their award letter FIRST via their Student Hub account. Once in college, all information relating to TOPS continuing eligibility and TOPS postsecondary GPA will be delivered via the Student Hub account. In order to set up an account, you will need to use your assigned LOSFA ID or LASecureID. Once logged into your account, you will be able to check your TOPS status, ACT Score, notifications, etc.

Important Reminders for TOPS Applicants

Make sure that your name is the same on all documents (school records, ACT test registrations, FAFSA, college applications, etc.). Pick a name and stick with it. Spelling, spacing, punctuation and abbreviation matter!
Include the ACT TOPS code of 1595 and/or the SAT TOPS code of 9019 on all ACT/SAT test registrations.
List the same date of birth and home street address on all forms, documents, applications, etc.
If you are a public school student, make certain that TOPS has a consent form signed by a parent allowing LOSFA to access your grade data.
Make sure that you are taking the correct required 19 units that comprise the TOPS Core Curriculum.
Be aware that your TOPS eligibility is based on your TOPS Core GPA, not your overall cumulative GPA and that TOPS does not round GPAs.
Make certain that your Social Security number is the same on both your high school transcript and the FAFSA.
Create a Louisiana Award System account after May 1 of your senior year to track initial TOPS eligibility and your continuation eligibility throughout your postsecondary education.
If you take a dual enrollment class using TOPS Tech Early Start, the name you use to register for the course is the name your Louisiana Award System account will be created under. Also, grades earned in dual enrollment courses for college credit become part of your cumulative college GPA.

Programs Not Eligible for TOPS Tech Award

General Studies and the Louisiana Transfer Degrees are not eligible programs for the TOPS Tech award.
CNA, Electrical Construction, and Plumbing Construction programs are not eligible for TOPS.

TOPS Information for SOWELA Students

Did you know that students who score at least a 17 on the ACT can qualify to receive TOPS at SOWELA? The TOPS scholarship will only fund the tuition portion of institutional charges for two (2) academic years. It does not cover the cost of books, supplies, and fees. CNA, Electrical Construction, and Plumbing Construction are not eligible for TOPS.
Registered Nursing is an eligible program for TOPS Tech award for students that graduated high school after 2016.

Transfer Degree Guarantee (TDG)

The Transfer Degree Guarantee helps students easily transfer from a 2-year or community college to a 4-year university in the state of Louisiana.

How to Apply for TOPS

To apply for TOPS, high school graduates need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1. The Financial Aid Office recommends all students receiving TOPS renew their FAFSA every year.

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