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: the Opportunity Award, Performance Award, Honors Award, and Tech Award. For further information regarding each award, go to www.osfa.la.gov.

To apply for TOPS, the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov or the TOPS On-line Application at www.osfa.la.gov. The FAFSA must be completed by students who qualify for federal grant aid, and by students who are seeking other forms of financial aid. The TOPS On-line Application may only be completed by students who can certify that they do not qualify for federal grant aid. IMPORTANT: In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS On-line Application in lieu of the FAFSA will be the first to lose their TOPS award.

The following powerpoint presentation was given by Ms. Kate Herke, a representative with the Lousiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, at our 2008 Senior Parents’ Meeting held in September. This presentation will assist parents in obtaining more information on TOPS and the FAFSA, which is the preferred application for TOPS. To view this presentation, click on the title below.

Graduates of 2010---You MUST have an application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or TOPS On-line) receipt date no later than July 1, 2010 to receive your TOPS award funding beginning with the upcoming college academic year, 2010-2011. Initial applications received after July 1, 2010 will not be funded until the subsequent college academic year, 2011-2012. Be sure to PRINT and RETAIN your dated FAFSA confirmation page that includes the confirmation number in case verification of timely filing is required.

Don’t Blow Your TOPS Renewal!

For those former graduates who are currently TOPS recipients, to renew your TOPS award for the 2010-2011 academic year, you must complete the 2010-2011 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA by July 1, 2010, unless you can demonstrate that you do not qualify for federal grant aid.Be sure to PRINT and RETAIN your dated FAFSA confirmation page that includes the confirmation number in case verification of timely filing is required.


For further critical information regarding qualifications for either initial TOPS awards or renewing TOPS go to www.osfa.la.gov