Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)
Louisiana’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a comprehensive program
of state scholarships and one of the most innovative and progressive student assistance
programs in the nation. TOPS has four award components. Learn moreinformation on
eligibility and renewal requirements.
How to Apply
- Complete the FAFSAby July 1 each year.
- Receive an official TOPS award letter, via email, from the Louisiana Office of Student
Financial Assistance (LOSFA). 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.
Award Amount and Requirements
| Award | ACT | GPA | Fall Award | Spring Award | Annual Total |
| TOPS Honors Award (including stipend) | 27 | 3.5 | $3226.11 | $3226.10 | $6452.21 |
| TOPS Performance Award (including stipend) | 23 | 3.25 | $3026.11 | $3026.10 | $6052.21 |
| TOPS Opportunity Award | 20 | 2.5 | $2826.11 | $2826.10 | $5652.21 |
| TOPS Tech Award (Industrial Technology AAS) | 17 | 2.5 | $1190.00 | $1190.00 | $2380.00 |
*TOPS awardestimates include stipends a student is potentially eligible for.
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 by the end of the academic year. Academic year is defined as
Fall, Spring, Summer, andInterim 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
- 24 hours earned – 2.00 GPA
- 24-47 hours earned – 2.30 GPA
- 48 or above hours earned – 2.50 GPA
- TOPS Performance and Honors Recipients
- 3.00 GPA
- TOPS Opportunity Recipients
- Maintain continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters.
TOPS National Guard
| Award | ACT | GPA | Fall Award | Spring Award | Annual Total |
| TOPS National Guard Honors Award (including stipends) | 27 | 3.5 | $1100.00 | $1100.00 | $2200.00 |
| 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 awardestimates 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. Additional information can be found here.
Things to Consider
- 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 circ*mstances considered.
Exception Forms should be sent directly to LOSFA. - For any questions regarding initial eligibility, award retention, or loss of eligibility,
students can contact LOSFA at 1-800-259-5626 or email at [emailprotected].
