Louisiana's Tuition Opportunity Program for Students is a comprehensive program of state scholarships and one of the most innovative and progressive student assistance programs in the nation. To qualify, a student must have completed the specified core curriculum with 2.5 core GPA and earned an appropriate ACT or SAT score. For current, indepth information on the program, visit the TOPS portal.
How and When to Apply for TOPS
To apply for all TOPS awards students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year following the year he/she graduates from high school. For example, if a student will graduate from high school in school year 2007-2008, submit the 2008-2009 version of the FAFSA. Students must enter the name of a Louisiana post-secondary school on the FAFSA for the application to be considered. The FAFSA may be filed after January 1st and before April 15th for priority consideration and must be received by the state deadline of July 1st. A FAFSA may be obtained from the school guidance office, by calling the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (800) 433-3243, or on the FAFSA website.
Honorary Awards offered by the Board of Secondary Education and the Louisiana Board of Regents
Regent’s Scholar
Students must complete the TOPS/BESE Honors curriculum and earn a minimum GPA of 3.5 to receive the Regent’s Scholar Award.
BESE Academic Endorsement
Students must complete the academic area of concentration by completing the 17.5 credits of the TOPS curriculum with a 2.5 GPA and an ACT score of 23. In addition, a student must pass all four components of GEE with an average score of Basic. A student must also have earned a score of three or above on an AP exam, completed a detailed senior project, OR earned three hours non-remedial, articulated college credit in a core area. BESE Career/Technical Endorsement
Student must complete the curriculum, GPA, and ACT requirements for TOPS Opportunity or TOPS Tech award and complete four elective credits in an area of concentration as designated by BESE. In addition, the student must pass all four parts of the GEE with a score of Approaching Basic. Finally, students must complete a minimum of 90 work hours of work-based learning experience and achieve a BESE-approved industry-based certification or earn three college hours in a career technical area that relates to their career path indicated on their five year plan.
