Understanding TOPS: Eligibility Requirements for Louisiana's Tuition Opportunity Program
Louisiana's Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) stands as a cornerstone of the state's commitment to higher education, offering scholarships to eligible Louisiana high school graduates who choose to pursue their studies at a Louisiana public college or university. TOPS is a comprehensive program of state scholarships and one of the most innovative and progressive student assistance programs in the nation. It is administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). This article delves into the intricate eligibility requirements for TOPS, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective students and their families.
Initial Eligibility Requirements for TOPS
To be considered for TOPS, several criteria must be met, encompassing academic performance, standardized test scores, curriculum completion, and residency. Each year, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) evaluates the records of all Louisiana high school graduates whose parents are also Louisiana residents. Eligibility is determined through high school transcripts and student ACT scores.
High School Attendance and Approval
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. If the student attends a non-public school, it must be approved by BESE in order for the student to be considered for TOPS.
Curriculum and GPA Requirements
A student must have a minimum 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). The TOPS Core Curriculum GPA is distinct from the overall cumulative GPA, and TOPS does not round GPAs.
The required curriculum consists of specific core units that must be completed during high school. Students 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. 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.
Read also: TOPS Eligibility Requirements
Standardized Test Scores: ACT and SAT
Earning a satisfactory score on the ACT or SAT is crucial for TOPS eligibility. A student must earn a minimum ACT score of 17 or the Silver level score on the ACT WorkKeys. TOPS does not accept an ACT Superscore.
Students may use an equivalent SAT score to meet the TOPS ACT requirement. TOPS does not use the Essay portion of the test as a qualifier for the TOPS Scholarship. Students must achieve the minimum score for one of the four award levels of the TOPS Scholarship.
Here's a breakdown of the required ACT scores for different TOPS awards:
- TOPS Opportunity Award: Never less than a 20, prior year Louisiana state average (currently, a 20)
- TOPS Performance Award: 23
- TOPS Honors Award: 27
- TOPS Excellence Award: 31
- TOPS Tech: Minimum score of a 17 or ACT Silver Workkeys.
Here's a breakdown of the required SAT scores for different TOPS awards:
- TOPS Opportunity Award: SAT Score of 1030
- TOPS Performance Award: SAT Score of 1130
- TOPS Honors Award: SAT Score of 1260
- TOPS Excellence Award: SAT Score of 1390
- TOPS Tech: SAT Score of 920
Important Considerations for ACT/SAT:
- For the TOPS Scholarship: The ACT is required for students to meet the initial eligibility requirements for the Taylor Opportunity Programs for Students (TOPS).
- Students may substitute an SAT test to meet this requirement.
- TOPS does not use the Essay portion of either test as a qualifier for the TOPS Scholarship.
- TOPS requires a composite score and does not accept ACT Superscores.
- The April National Test Day is the last opportunity for students to receive a qualifying score without a penalty for the TOPS Scholarship.
- Students who use a qualifying score for the June or July test will receive a one semester reduction of their TOPS Award.
- Make sure to include the ACT TOPS code of 1595 and/or the SAT TOPS code of 9019 on all ACT/SAT test registrations.
Enrollment and Residency Requirements
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.
Read also: Understanding TOPS Eligibility
Residency: Louisiana resident as of the day the FAFSA is filed, and Louisiana is the student's actual and fixed domicile as reported on the FAFSA.
Maintaining TOPS: Renewal Requirements
Maintaining TOPS eligibility requires continuous effort and adherence to specific academic standards throughout college. Students must meet the following requirements each semester to receive payment for TOPS:
- Be enrolled full-time on the 15th day of class each semester.
- Maintain continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters.
- Maintain the required GPA for specific TOPS award.
- Earn 24 credit hours by the end of the academic year. Academic year is defined as fall, spring, summer, and interim sessions.
- Earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each fall, spring, and all interim sessions.
The following cumulative GPA’s will be checked at the end of each summer semester in order to maintain the award:
- TOPS Opportunity Recipients
- Below 24 hours earned - 2.00 GPA
- 24-47 hours earned - 2.30 GPA
- 48 or above hours earned - 2.50 GPA
- TOPS Performance, Honors, and Excellence Recipients
- 3.00 GPA
Consequences of Not Meeting Renewal Requirements
Failure to meet the renewal requirements can lead to suspension or cancellation of the TOPS award. 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. 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. During any period of TOPS suspension, you must continue enrolling full time even though you are self-paying.
At the end of each Spring semester, you must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 or higher and have passed 24 credit hours. 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.
Read also: Tops for College Women
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!
TOPS Award Components and Amounts
TOPS has four award components. The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) provides Louisiana high school graduates meeting specific eligibility requirements with a scholarship if they choose to attend a Louisiana public college or university.
Award amounts to eligible students are based on the institution's allocation and their packaging policy. The number of students awarded varies each academic year due to limited funding for the Louisiana Go Grant. All eligible students will not receive this grant, students are awarded in priority of the packaging policy listed below. SUBR will award the Max. Annual Award ($3000) to students enrolled in twelve (12) or more hours. Students with less than six (6) hours are not eligible for disbursement.
Here's an overview of the different TOPS awards, their corresponding ACT/GPA requirements, and estimated award amounts:
| Award | ACT | GPA | Fall Award | Spring Award | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPS Excellence (High Cost Programs*) | 31 | 3.5 | $4,601.50 | $4,601.50 | $9,203.00 |
| TOPS Excellence | 31 | 3.5 | $4,521.50 | $4,521.50 | $9,043.00 |
| TOPS Honors Award (including stipend) | 27 | 3.5 | $3,226.11 | $3,226.10 | $6,452.21 |
| TOPS Performance Award (including stipend) | 23 | 3.25 | $3,026.11 | $3,026.10 | $6,052.21 |
| TOPS Opportunity Award | 20 | 2.5 | $2,826.11 | $2,826.10 | $5,652.21 |
| TOPS Tech Award (Industrial Technology AAS) | 17 | 2.5 | $1,190.00 | $1,190.00 | $2,380.00 |
*TOPS award estimates include stipends a student is potentially eligible for.*Eligible TOPS Excellence recipients enrolled in a High Cost Program will receive an annual award amount of $9,203.00.
Additional Award Information
- The maximum annual award is $5,000.
- Scholarship awards shall be applicable only to the cost of tuition, required fees, and textbooks and instructional materials required for the course of study.
TOPS National Guard Award
TOPS National Guard Award:
| Award | ACT | GPA | Fall Award | Spring Award | Annual Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPS National Guard Excellence Award | 31 | 3.5 | $1,300.00 | $1,300.00 | $2,600.00 |
| TOPS National Guard Honors Award (including stipends) | 27 | 3.5 | $1,100.00 | $1,100.00 | $2,200.00 |
| TOPS National Guard Performance Award (including stipends) | 23 | 3.25 | $700.00 | $700.00 | $1400.00 |
| TOPS National Guard Opportunity Award | 20 | 2.5 | $300.00 | $300.00 | $600.00 |
*TOPS award estimates include stipends a student is potentially eligible for.
Students eligible for both institutional National Guard tuition waivers and TOPS awards must accept the institutional National Guard tuition waiver. If you are eligible for National Guard and TOPS, you will receive a reduced TOPS award.
How to Apply for TOPS
Complete the FAFSA by July 1 each year. Students can expect to receive the notification towards the end of June, or beginning of July. This notification will provides the student with the TOPS level.
Additional Information and Resources
- Students must become familiar with the TOPS Award Recipients Rights and Responsibilities.
- TOPS can only be used within one year of high school graduation. Remaining semesters of TOPS eligibility can be used for graduate school if used within one year.
- If a student loses TOPS eligibility, he/she can apply to have the circumstances considered. Exception Forms should be sent directly to LOSFA.
- 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!
- 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 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.
- The Student Hub is an online system to help students track TOPS status while in high school and throughout the student’s 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.
- Funding is contingent upon appropriations by the Louisiana Legislature.
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