Louisiana鈥檚 Taylor Opportunity Program 鈥淭OPS鈥� For Students
If you are not going to be enrolled in at least 12 hours in the Fall and 12 hours
in the Spring, there are steps you must follow to receive your TOPS. (Wintersession classes are not calculated in the 12 hour semester requirement for
TOPS purposes)
You need to reach out to the ULM Financial Aid Office at finaid@ulm.edu or 318-342-5320.
If you do not reach out and complete the requirements for less than full time enrollment,
you are at risk of losing your TOPS.
If you are less than 12 hours, your TOPS may be posted initially. However, it will
be cancelled eventually if you do not reach out to us to see what needs to be completed
to qualify to keep it.听
听
***If you are approved to take less than 12 hours and complete the required documentation,
your TOPS will be prorated to the amount of hours you are enrolled in for that term.
***
The four different award components of the TOPS Program are:
The TOPS Opportunity Award
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click听听to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- If the student is enrolled in Home Study through the Louisiana Department of Education,
click听听for TOPS home study requirements.
- Minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 2.50 (GPA computed on TOPS Core Curriculum courses
only)
- Completion of the 19.0 Core Units of the TOPS Core Curriculum
- Minimum ACT Score听of the prior year state average but never less than a 20 (Click听听needed to be added to your test registrations)
- Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the first semester following the
first anniversary of high school graduation
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Meet TOPS Louisiana residency requirements
*BESE-Approved Home Study Eligibility 鈥� ACT/SAT Score of 2 points above standard 鈥�
Currently 22
*Louisiana Residents graduating from an eligible out-of-state/country high school
鈥� ACT/SAT Score of 3 points above standard 鈥� Currently 23
Renewal Requirements
- Minimum 2.30 GPA at the end of the first Academic Year(between 24-47 hours of earned
credit)听1
- Minimum 2.50 GPA at the end of all other Academic Years (once 48 hours have been earned)听1
- Maintain steady Academic Progress at the end of all other semesters/terms (2.00 Cumulative
GPA)听1
- 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 enrollment2
- Earn at least 24 Credit Hours for 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)
- Hours earned during the Intersession between Fall and Spring Semesters will be counted
toward meeting the 24 Hours Annual Requirement but not toward Full-Time Enrollment.
1听Suspended Award will be reinstated if appropriate GPA regained within 24 months.
2听Failure to enroll full time, maintain continuous enrollment or earn 24 hours results
in cancellation of award and it cannot be reinstated without an听Approved Request听for
Exception to the Initial, Continuous, Full-Time Enrollment听and/or 24 Hour Requirement.
听
How to Apply
Complete the听. We strongly encourage you to submit your initial (first) FAFSA before July 1 immediately
following your high school graduation so that you will receive TOPS credit on your
college鈥檚 fee bill for the Fall semester after graduation. The absolute deadline to
receive your initial TOPS application without a reduction in your award is July 1st
following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation.
If you file your initial FAFSA after July 1 of your year of high school graduation,
your TOPS payment will be made when your FAFSA has been received and your TOPS eligibility
has been determined. Once you are determined TOPS eligible, your TOPS payments will
be made beginning with the first semester you enrolled as a full time student in an
eligible Louisiana college. Further payments will be made only if you meet the TOPS
Continuing Eligibility Requirements.
If your initial TOPS application is received on or after July 2 but no later than
October 29 following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation TOPS
award will be reduced by one semester if received no later than August 30 or two semesters
if received no later than October 29.
Students who can verify听听may forgo the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply via听
The TOPS Performance Award
The TOPS Performance Award pays the TOPS Award Amount set by the administering agency
for a student at a particular institution during the 2022-2023 academic year unless
increased by Act of the Legislature plus an annual stipend of $400. If a student attends
a college within the , the award amount will be the weighted average award amount that was set for public
colleges and universities during the 2022-2023 academic year plus an annual stipend
of $400.
Click听听for the award amount at your school
听
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click听听to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- If the student is enrolled in Home Study through the Louisiana Department of Education,
click听听for TOPS home study requirements.
- Minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 3.00 (GPA computed on TOPS core courses only)
- Increases to 3.25 TOPS Core Curriculum GPA beginning with the graduating class of
2022
- Completion of the 19.0 Core Units of the TOPS Core Curriculum
- Minimum ACT Score () of 23听(Click听听needed to be added to your test registrations)
- Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the first semester following the
first anniversary of high school graduation
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements
*BESE-Approved Home Study Eligibility 鈥� ACT/SAT Score of 24 (1 point above standard
in lieu of core units and GPA)
*Louisiana Residents graduating from an eligible out-of-state high school 鈥� ACT/SAT
Score 26 (3 points above standard in lieu of core units and GPA)
听
Renewal Requirements
鈥� Minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of all Academic Years听1
鈥� Maintain Steady Academic Progress at the end of all other semesters/terms (2.00
Cumulative GPA)听1,2
鈥� 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 enrollment3
鈥� Earn at least 24 Credit Hours for 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)听3
鈥� Hours earned during the Intersession between Fall and Spring Semesters will be counted
toward meeting the 24 Hours Annual Requirement but not toward Full-Time Enrollment听
1听If Cum GPA less than 3.00 but 2.30 or greater with 24 鈥� 47 hours, award will be continued
as Opportunity Award (no Stipend); if less than 3.00 but 2.50 or greater with 48 and
greater hours, award will be continued as Opportunity Award (no Stipend).
2听If Cum GPA less than 2.30 with 24 鈥� 47 hours or less than 2.50 with 48 or greater
hours, award will be suspended but will be reinstated if appropriate GPA regained
within 24 months.
3听Failure to enroll full time, maintain continuous enrollment or earn 24 hours results
in cancellation of award and it cannot be reinstated without an听Approved Request听for
Exception to Initial, Continuous Full-Time Enrollment, and/or 24 Hour Requirement.
How to Apply
Complete the听. We strongly encourage you to submit your initial (first) FAFSA before July 1 immediately
following your high school graduation so that you will receive TOPS credit on your
college鈥檚 fee bill for the Fall semester after graduation. The absolute deadline to
receive your initial TOPS application without a reduction in your award is July 1st
following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation.
If you file your initial FAFSA after July 1 of your year of high school graduation,
your TOPS payment will be made when your FAFSA has been received and your TOPS eligibility
has been determined. Once you are determined TOPS eligible, your TOPS payments will
be made beginning with the first semester you enrolled as a full time student in an
eligible Louisiana college. Further payments will be made only if you meet the TOPS
Continuing Eligibility Requirements.
If your initial TOPS application is received on or after July 2 but no later than
October 29 following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation TOPS
award will be reduced by one semester if received no later than August 30 or two semesters
if received no later than October 29.
Students who can verify听听may forgo the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply via听
The TOPS Honors Award
The TOPS Honors Award pays the TOPS Award Amount set by the administering agency for
a student at a particular institution during the 2022-2023 academic year unless increased
by Act of the Legislature plus an annual stipend of $800. If a student attends a college
within the , the award amount will be the weighted average award amount that was set for public
colleges and universities during the 2022-2023 academic year plus an annual stipend
of $800.
Click听听for current TOPS Award Amounts by Institution.
听
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click听听to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- If the student is enrolled in Home Study through the Louisiana Department of Education,
clickfor TOPS home study requirements.
- Minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 3.00 (GPA computed on TOPS core courses only)
- Increases to 3.50 TOPS Core Curriculum GPA beginning with the graduating class of
2022
- Completion of the 19.0 Core Units of the TOPS Core Curriculum
- Minimum ACT Score () of 27听(Click听听needed to be added to your test registrations)
- Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the first semester following the
first anniversary of high school graduation
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements
*BESE-Approved Home Study Eligibility 鈥� ACT/SAT Score of 28 (1 point above standard
in lieu of core units and GPA)
*Louisiana Residents graduating from an eligible out-of-state high school 鈥� ACT/SAT
Score 30 (3 points above standard in lieu of core units and GPA)
Renewal Requirements
鈥� 3.00 GPA at the end of all Academic Years听1
鈥� Maintain steady Academic Progress at the end of all other semesters/terms (2.00
Cumulative GPA)听1,2
鈥� 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 enrollment3
鈥� Earn at least 24 Credit Hours for 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)听3
鈥� Hours earned during the Intersession between Fall and Spring Semesters will be counted
toward meeting the 24 Hours Annual Requirement but not toward Full-Time Enrollment听
1听If Cumulative GPA less than 3.00 but 2.30 or greater with 24 鈥� 47 hours, award will
be continued as Opportunity Award (no Stipend); if less than 3.00 but 2.50 or greater
with 48 or greater hours award, will be continued as Opportunity Award (no Stipend).
2听If Cumulative GPA less than 2.30 with 24 to 47 hours or less than 2.50 with 48 and
greater hours, award will be suspended but will be reinstated if appropriate GPA regained
within 24 months.
3听Failure to enroll full time, maintain continuous enrollment or earn 24 hours results
in cancellation of award and it cannot be reinstated without an听Approved Request听for
Exception to the Initial, Continuous, or Full-Time Enrollment, and/or 24 Hour Requirement.
听
How to Apply
Complete the听). We strongly encourage you to submit your initial (first) FAFSA before July 1 immediately
following your high school graduation so that you will receive TOPS credit on your
college鈥檚 fee bill for the Fall semester after graduation. The absolute deadline to
receive your initial TOPS application without a reduction in your award is July 1st
following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation.
If you file your initial FAFSA after July 1 of your year of high school graduation,
your TOPS payment will be made when your FAFSA has been received and your TOPS eligibility
has been determined. Once you are determined TOPS eligible, your TOPS payments will
be made beginning with the first semester you enrolled as a full time student in an
eligible Louisiana college. Further payments will be made only if you meet the TOPS
Continuing Eligibility Requirements.
If your initial TOPS application is received on or after July 2 but no later than
October 29 following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation TOPS
award will be reduced by one semester if received no later than August 30 or two semesters
if received no later than October 29.
Students who can verify听听may forgo the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply via听
TOPS Tech
Where Can I Use My TOPS Tech Award?听
- In a technical program at a public college or university: the Award Amount set by
the administering agency for a student at that school during the 2022-2023 academic
year;
- 听In an associate鈥檚 degree program/shorter term training and education program at a
2 year public college or university: the Award Amount set by the administering agency
for a student at that school during the 2022-2023 academic year;
- 听In an approved program at a four year public college or university that does not
offer a baccalaureate degree in the approved program: the Award Amount set by the
administering agency for a student at that school during the 2022-2023 academic year;
- 听In an approved program at a four year public college or university that does offer
a baccalaureate degree in the approved program AND at approved听: the average of the TOPS Award Amount for students enrolled in technical programs
of study in public colleges and universities during the 2022-2023 academic year
Click听听for the TOPS Tech Usage document.
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click听听to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- If the student is enrolled in Home Study through the Louisiana Department of Education,
click听听for TOPS home study requirements.
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click here (Hyperlink:https://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/nonpublic-schools)
to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- In order to be considered for TOPS, the 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. Click here (Hyperlink:https://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/nonpublic-schools)
to choose the Approval by Brumfield v Dodd document for the year the student graduated/will
graduate from high school to determine if your child鈥檚 non-public school is approved.
- If the student is enrolled in Home Study through the Louisiana Department of Education,
click here (Hyperlink: https://mylosfa.la.gov/students-parents/home-study-students/)
for TOPS home study requirements.
- Minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA of 2.50 (GPA computed on TOPS Core Curriculum courses
only)
- 21 units that comprise the TOPS Tech JumpStart Core Curriculum
- Students 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
- Minimum ACT Score () of 17听or the Silver level score on ACT WorkKeys (Click听听needed to be added to your test registrations)
- Must enroll full time as a first time freshman, by the first semester following the
first anniversary of high school graduation
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Meet TOPS Louisiana Residency requirements
Renewal Requirements
- Minimum Cum GPA of 2.50 at end of every Spring Semester.听1
- Minimum Cum GPA of 2.00 (Steady Academic Progress) at end of all other semesters.听1
- Enroll full-time (as defined by your institution) as of the 15th class day at a semester
school or as of the 10th class day at a quarter school every semester or quarter they
enroll and maintain continuous enrollment;听2听and
- Earn 24 or more hours for Academic Year (Fall Semester, Spring Semester and Summer
Session).听2听
1听Award will be reinstated if 2.50 GPA regained within 12 months.
2听Failure to enroll full time, maintain continuous enrollment or earn 24 hours results
in cancellation of award and it cannot be reinstated without an听听and/or 24 Hour Requirement.
How to Apply
Complete the听. We strongly encourage you to submit your initial (first) FAFSA before July 1 immediately
following your high school graduation so that you will receive TOPS credit on your
college鈥檚 fee bill for the Fall semester after graduation. The absolute deadline to
receive your initial TOPS application without a reduction in your award is July 1st
following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation.
If you file your initial FAFSA after July 1 of your year of high school graduation,
your TOPS payment will be made when your FAFSA has been received and your TOPS eligibility
has been determined. Once you are determined TOPS eligible, your TOPS payments will
be made beginning with the first semester you enrolled as a full time student in an
eligible Louisiana college. Further payments will be made only if you meet the TOPS
Continuing Eligibility Requirements.
If your initial TOPS application is received on or after July 2 but no later than
October 29 following the one year anniversary of your high school graduation TOPS
award will be reduced by one semester if received no later than August 30 or two semesters
if received no later than October 29.
Students who can verify听听may forgo the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply via听
听
*BESE-Approved Home Study Eligibility 鈥� ACT/SAT Score of 19 (2 points above standard
in lieu of core units and GPA)
*Louisiana Residents graduating from an eligible out-of-state high school 鈥� ACT/SAT
Score 20 (3 points above standard in lieu of core units and GPA)
* The minimum test scores for the awards above are higher for students enrolled in
an approved home study听program.
** The TOPS awards are funded for 4 years/8 semesters by the Louisiana Office of Student
Financial Assistance听(LOSFA) and are subject to change. Eligible students must continue
to meet renewal requirements.
*** It is the student鈥檚 responsibility to comply with all governing statutes and rules
applicable to the TOPS听program, which may change, whether disclosed or not. For more
information, you may refer to the Rights and听Responsibilities issued by The Louisiana
Office of Student Financial Assistance, also found on your Student Hub听account via
Louisiana Awards System鈥檚 website.
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听
听Questions & Answers听
Visit the following site for LOSFA FAQ Information
听
Questions not answered?
Please contact the 橙子视频 Office of Financial Aid at 1-318-342-5320 or email finaid@ulm.edu. More detailed information can be found on the Louisiana Office of Student Financial
Assistance TOPS website听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 (). You may also contact them by email at (custserv@la.gov).
听
听
For more information, please visit our website(s) listed below:
听
For more information on TOPS, please visit our TOPS FAQ information or use the LOSFA
link above or contact LOSFA at the contact information below:
听
For more information on Scholarships,听contact:
橙子视频 Admissions & Scholarships听| Sandel Hall 102| Phone: 318.342.5321 | Email:听scholarships@ulm.edu
To discuss other financial aid options, including education loans, please contact:
听| Sandel Hall 115| Phone: 318.342.5320 | Email: finaid@ulm.edu
To discuss Fee Bill questions or concerns, please contact:
Student Account Services | Coenen Hall | Phone: 318.342.5128 or听318.342.5124 | Email: sas@ulm.edu听
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听
听
Office of Financial Aid