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TOPS

How to Apply

1. Complete the  or  by July 1 each year
2. Receive an official award letter from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) during late summer after high school graduation

Award Amount & Requirements

Students are notified of their TOPS level in their initial eligibility letter.

Award Retention

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
• Earn 24 credit hours each year over the fall, winter session, spring, spring intersession, and summer semesters
• Continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters
• Maintain the required GPA for specific TOPS award
• 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each fall, intersession or summer semesters
• The following GPA’s will be checked at the end of each summer semester:
  • Below 24 hours earned – 2.00 GPA
  • 24 - 47 hours earned – 2.30 GPA
  • 48 or above hours earned – 2.50 GPA
  • Performance or Honors Recipient – 3.00 GPA
• The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) calculates a specific GPA for TOPS eligibility. This GPA does not recognize º£½ÇÉçÇø’s plus/minus grading scale therefore your TOPS GPA will differ from your º£½ÇÉçÇø cumulative GPA. You may reference the GPA calculator below to assist you with TOPS GPA calculation. This is provided as a courtesy and does not guarantee TOPS or any other qualification.
  • Please contact LOSFA at custserv@la.gov or 1-800-259-5626 ext. 1012 if you have concerns about your TOPS GPA.
    • GPA Calculator

Disbursement

A TOPS credit is applied to the fee bill of those who are eligible. Disbursement of TOPS funds takes place mid-semester.

Study Abroad

• All regular TOPS requirements must be observed for study abroad use
• Students must be enrolled for full time hours; if host institution is on quarter system then the student must make sure hours earned transfer into full time º£½ÇÉçÇø hours
• If the student returns with fewer hours than expected, the student will be responsible for repaying the TOPS funds that were awarded to them
• Students should complete an enrollment verification form after the 14th day of class and return to Financial Aid & Scholarships to verify TOPS eligibility
• Student must submit their transcript to º£½ÇÉçÇø by appropriate deadline or TOPS will be returned and the current anticipated credits will be cancelled.
  • Fall Deadline: April 1
  • Spring, Summer, and Yearlong Program Deadline: November 1
• Student participating in a study abroad program through another Louisiana university should notify Financial Aid & Scholarships; TOPS will be disbursed from the host institution

Special Notes about TOPS

• Students may file a to appeal a TOPS cancellation or suspension. Exception forms should be sent directly to LOSFA.
• 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