It pays

to make good

grades!

TOPS The TOPS program was created by the

Louisiana legislature in 1997 under the administration of Governor Mike Foster 1998 was the first award year for both 1997 and

1998 graduates

TOPS is funded through the State General Fund and the Millennium Trust Fund TOPS funds must be appropriated each year by

the Legislature

What’s TOPS Worth? *Based on current figures, a student receiving the TOPS Opportunity

Award would receive the following financial benefit over four years:

Nicholls State University $10,712 Louisiana Tech University $12,344 LSU-Baton Rouge $13,976 Univ. of New Orleans $12,912 Southeastern La University $10,904 Southern-Baton Rouge $11,048 UL – Lafayette $10,216

LAICU Schools (private) $10,744

TOPS Performance Award Recipients can add $1,600 to the amounts above

TOPS Honors Award Recipients can add $3,200 to the amounts above

*these figures are using current academic year tuition amounts. This amount is subject to change.

Citizenship A student must be a U.S. citizen, or a

permanent resident who is eligible to apply for citizenship

A parent or custodian of a dependent student must have been a resident of the state of Louisiana for the 24 months prior to high school graduation; OR

Resident student must have completed final two years in an approved LA high school

Residency: Military Dependents

A member of the U.S. Armed forces, who is transferred to Louisiana under permanent change of station orders may qualify his/her child for TOPS consideration if: They change their military personnel records to

establish Louisiana as the member’s official state of residence within 180 days of reporting

Submit an Affidavit of Residency and DD Form 2058

Comply with Louisiana income tax laws

Criminal Record Have no criminal convictions

Excludes misdemeanor traffic violations

A student who has a “final criminal conviction” may not accept a TOPS award

TOPS Core Curriculum All TOPS core curriculum courses must be

completed by the date of high school graduation

Distance learning courses approved by the high school may be used to qualify for TOPS

College courses taken in the classroom, online, or by correspondence may be used to qualify for TOPS provided that they are determined to be equivalent courses and appear on the student’s official high school transcript

Verify college admissions requirements for core curriculum Admissions requirements may be different from the TOPS

Core Curriculum

TOPS Core CurriculumUnits 4 English I, II, III, IV

1 Algebra I

1 Algebra II

1 Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I or II, Pre- Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete

Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III, or AP Calculus

1 Biology I or II

1 Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com

TOPS Core CurriculumUnits

1 Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II,

Physics for Technology, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, or Agriscience I & II (two units)

1 Additional Math or Science:

Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I, Advanced Math II, Pre-Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III, AP Calculus AB,

Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, or

AP Physics C: Mechanics

TOPS Core CurriculumUnits

1 American History

1 Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined), Civics, or AP American Government

1 World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, or European History

2 Foreign Language (2 units in the same language), or American Sign

Language I & II

1 Fine Arts Survey

½ Computer Science

TOPS Core Curriculum GPA The cumulative grade point average (GPA) for a

TOPS award will be calculated on a 4.0 scale using only those grades achieved in the core curriculum courses. For high schools using other grading scales each grade shall be converted to 4.0 scale

TOPS takes the highest grade earned in a core group

“P” grades are not included in the TOPS Core GPA calculation

GPA cannot be rounded up

ACT ACT Deadlines for 2009 Graduates

Without penalty: April 4, 2009 Loss of one semester eligibility: June 13, 2009 June scores can not be used to upgrade to

Opportunity Qualifying score must be earned by July 1 of senior

year

Highest composite score will be considered TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of the ACT in

calculating the composite score needed to qualify

ACT Registration TOPS Code 1595 Social Security Number

SAT An equivalent SAT score may be

substituted for the ACT score TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of

the SAT in calculating the composite score needed to qualify

SAT Test Deadlines Without Penalty: March 14, 2009 Loss of 1 semester eligibility: May 2, 2009 and

June 6, 2009

SAT Registration Scholarship Code 9019 Social Security Number

Opportunity Award: Eligibility Requirements Eligibility Requirements

2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale A minimum score of a 20 on the ACT 940 on the SAT Complete the 17.5 core curriculum

Award Amounts Provides an amount equal to tuition at a public

college university, or LTC in Louisiana or the states weighted average cost of public tuition to a private LAICU school

Can be used for a maximum of eight semesters

or twelve quarters

LAICU SCHOOLSCentenary College

Dillard UniversityLouisiana CollegeLoyola University New OrleansNew Orleans Baptist TheologicalSeminaryOur Lady of Holy Cross CollegeOur Lady of the Lake CollegeSt. Joseph Seminary CollegeTulane UniversityXavier University

*TOPS is covering an amount of $1343/semester this academic year plus any applicable stipends

Performance Award Eligibility Requirements

3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale A minimum score of 23 on the ACT 1050 on the SAT Completion of the 17.5 core curriculum

Award Amounts Amount equal to the TOPS Opportunity Award

plus an additional $400 annual stipend

Can be used for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters

Honors Award Eligibility Requirements

3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale A minimum score of 27 on the ACT 1220 on the SAT Completion of the 17.5 core curriculum

Award Amounts Amount equal to the TOPS Opportunity Award

plus an additional $800 annual stipend

Can be used for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters

TOPS Tech Award Eligibility Requirements

2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale A minimum score of 17 on the ACT 810 on the SAT Completion of one of the Tech Core Option

curriculums or the OPH curriculum Award Amounts

Amount equal to full time tuition at any LA Technical college or community college offering a two year Tech diploma/certificate. Or the weighted amount at participating public 4 year schools or private schools

Can be used for a maximum of 2 years/4 semesters

TOPS ApplicationFAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.govStudents are applying for all state/federal aid

TOPS Online Application – www.osfa.la.govMay only be completed by students who can

certify that they do not qualify for federal grant aid

In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS Online Application will be the first to lose their TOPS award

Do not complete if you have completed the FAFSA

FAFSA KEY POINTS

Applications are available January 1st of the students senior year

Provide correct student data Social Security NumberHome AddressSelective Service if applicable

Select that you wish to be considered for loans and grants

Be prepared to provide financial information

Sign Application -both parent and student

TOPS Award Letter Students eligible for a TOPS award will be notified

by means of an official award letter from LOSFA

Students have one year in which to enroll in a Louisiana approved post-secondary institution

TOPS recipients should familiarize themselves with the Rights and Responsibilities included with their award letter

Students can check their TOPS award status online by creating a TOPS Portal Account at www.osfa.state.la.us after May 1st

TOPS recipients are personally responsible for knowing and complying with the TOPS continuation requirements

Award Acceptance Must enter an eligible institution as a full-time

student by the first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation

Military Students – join the Armed Forces on active duty within one year of high school and must return by the fall following the 5th anniversary of high school graduation with honorable discharge

TOPS Recipients serving in the National Guard

will receive the tuition exemption equal to the TOPS award amount; any applicable TOPS stipends, plus $300 annually for books and supplies

Award Acceptance: Returning Out-of-State Students

A TOPS eligible student who enrolls as a first-time full-time freshman at an out-of-state institution may return to Louisiana and accept their TOPS award if they have met the following conditions:

Must have first enrolled in the out-of-state institution no later than fall semester following the students one year anniversary of high school graduation

Must have met all program continuation requirements while out of state

Must apply for reinstatement by July 1 following the academic year in which the student returns to Louisiana

TOPS eligibility will be reduced by the number of semesters attended out-of-state

Graduate Study Any Opportunity, Performance or Honors award recipient who

successfully completes an academic undergraduate degree in less than eight semesters or 12 quarters of award benefits, may receive their award for any remaining semesters or quarters of eligibility for graduate study

Student must pursue a postgraduate academic degree at an eligible institution

Must continue to meet all TOPS retention requirements The amount of the award will be equal to graduate tuition at

their school or the equivalent of LSU-BR under graduate tuition, whichever is less. Students will also receive their stipends if applicable.

TOPS Retention: Credit Hours

Must maintain continuous full time enrollment and earn 24 credit hours each academic year Hours earned in summer session, intersession or advanced

placement may not be used towards the 24 annual hours required

Earned hours are hours successfully completed with a passing grade

LOSFA can grant an exception in certain situations

TOPS GPA Requirements Opportunity Award: 2.30 first academic year 2.50 all subsequent years Performance Award: 3.00 Honors Award: 3.00

Students falling below 3.0 would revert to Opportunity Tech Award: 2.50

Students are encouraged to renew their FAFSA each year

Contact LOSFA

www.osfa.la.gov

custserv@osfa.la.gov

(800) 259-5626 Ext. 1012

(225) 922-10128:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday