Louisiana’s First Choice for College Access
LOSFA Administered Programs
TOPS
START Saving Program
TOPS Tech Early Start Program
Chafee Educational Training Voucher (ETV) Program
Safer Volunteer Firemen’s Tuition Reimbursement
Early Start
Go Grant
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
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
Citizenship, Residency &
Criminal Convictions
 Citizenship
 A student must be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent
resident who is eligible to apply for citizenship
 Residency
 24 consecutive months for a parent or custodian of
a dependent student OR
 A student who has resided in Louisiana, completed
their last two full years of high school in an
approved school and graduated, as certified by the
high school, shall have met the residency
requirement for TOPS
 Criminal Convictions
 Must not have any criminal convictions. This does
exclude misdemeanor traffic violations
Residency: Military Dependents
 A dependent of a member of the U.S.
Armed forces, who is transferred to
Louisiana under permanent change of
station orders, will be considered a resident
for purposes of TOPS if the military
member:
 Changes his/her military personnel records to
establish Louisiana as the member’s official
state of residence within 180 days of reporting
 Complies with Louisiana income tax laws
 Submits an Affidavit of Residency and DD Form
2058
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 English
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English I
English II
English III
English IV
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Math
 Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I
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Or Applied Algebra 1
Or Algebra I – Parts 1 & 2 (two units)
Or Applied Algebra 1A & 1B (two units)
Or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units)
 Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics II
 Geometry, Applied Geometry, Calculus,
Advanced Math Pre-Calculus, Advanced Math
Functions and Statistics, Pre-Calculus,
Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics,
Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated
Mathematics III or AP Calculus BC
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Science
 Biology I or II
 Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com
 Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental
Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics,
Physics II,
AP Physics C: Electricity and
Magnetism,
AP Physics C: Mechanics,
Physics for Technology I or II, Integrated
Science, Anatomy and Physiology or
Agriscience I and II (two units)
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Additional Math or Science
 Geometry, Applied Geometry, Applied
Mathematics III, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP
Calculus BC, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus,
Advanced Math- Functions and Statistics,
Probability and Statistics, Discrete
Mathematics, Algebra III, or Integrated
Mathematics III
 Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II,
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism,
AP Physics C: Mechanics, or Anatomy and
Physiology
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Social Studies
 American History
 Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined),
Civics (1 unit), or AP Government and
Politics: United States
 World History, Western Civilization, World
Geography, or European History
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Foreign Language
 Two units in the same language
 English is not considered a foreign language
 American Sign Language (2 units)
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 Fine Arts Survey
 or two units of performance courses in
music, dance or theater*
 or two units of studio art*
 or two units of visual art*
 or both Speech III & IV*
 or both Agriscience I and Agriscience II
 or 1 unit of an elective from among the other
subjects listed in this core curriculum
* The two units may be any combination of
whole and half units
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2012 and 2013
 ½ unit of Computer Science I or II, Computer
Technology Literacy, Business Computer
Applications, Introduction to Business Computer
Applications, or Computer Science Elective
 Or substitute Word Processing, Computer Multimedia
Presentations, Desktop Publishing, Web Design,
Telecommunications, Computer Applications,
Computer Architecture, Computer Systems/Networking
I, Digital Graphics and Animation, Multimedia
Productions, Webmastering, Independent Study In
Technology Applications, AP Computer Science A, AP
Computer Science AB, Database Design and
Programming, Java Programming, Database
Programming with PL/SQL Training, Digital Media I or
II, Advanced Technical Drafting, or Computer
Electronics I or II
 or 1/2 unit of an elective from among the other subjects
listed in the core curriculum
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 English (4 units)
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English I
English II
English III
English IV
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 Math (4 Units)
 1 unit: Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I
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Or Applied Algebra 1
Or Algebra I – Parts 1 & 2 (two units)
Or Applied Algebra 1A & 1B (two units)
Or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units)
 1 unit: Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics II
 2 units: Geometry, Applied Geometry, Applied
Mathematics III, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP
Calculus BC, Advanced Math-Pre-Calculus,
Advanced Math-Functions and Statistics,
Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics,
Algebra III, or Integrated Mathematics III
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 Science (4 Units)
 1 unit: Biology I or II
 1 unit: Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com
 2 units: Earth Science, Physical Science,
Environmental Science, Biology II, Chemistry II,
Physics, Physics II,
AP Physics C: Electricity
and Magnetism,
AP Physics C: Mechanics,
Physics for Technology I or II, Integrated
Science, Anatomy and Physiology or
Agriscience I and II (both courses)
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 Social Studies (4 Units)
 1 Unit: American History
 1 Unit: Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit
combined), Civics (1 unit), or AP Government
and Politics: United States
 2 Units: World History, Western Civilization,
World Geography, European History or
History of Religion (non-public schools only)
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 Foreign Language (2 Units)
 Two units in the same language
 English is not considered a foreign language
 American Sign Language (2 units)
TOPS Core Curriculum
For students graduating in 2014 and thereafter
 Fine Arts Survey (One Unit)
 or one unit of performance courses in music,
dance or theater*
 or one unit of studio art*
 or one unit of visual art*
 or both Speech III & IV
Students no longer have the option to substitute
one unit as an elective from among the other
TOPS Core curriculum courses.
* The one unit may be any combination of half
units in a category.
ACT
 Without Penalty: April 14, 2012
 Loss of 1 semester eligibility: June 9, 2012
 Students who fail to achieve a qualifying ACT score by
July 1 of the graduating year shall not be considered for
an award
 Highest composite score will be considered
 TOPS does not consider the essay portion of the ACT
when calculating the composite score to qualify
 List TOPS code 1595 & your SSN on the ACT
SAT
 An equivalent SAT score may be substituted for the
ACT score
 SAT Test Deadlines
 Without Penalty: March 10, 2012
 Loss of 1 semester eligibility: May 5, 2012 and June 2,
2012
 Students must use the SAT scholarship code 9019
on the registration form
 TOPS does not consider the essay portion of the
SAT when calculating the composite score to
qualify
Opportunity, Performance &
Honors Awards
 GPA on a 4.00 scale (not rounded) on 17.5 core units
 Must complete the 17.5 core classes
 Maximum of eight semesters or twelve quarters
 A TOPS award may be combined with other forms of
financial aid up to the “Cost of Attendance” for the
institution
 Provides amount equal to tuition to a public school in
Louisiana or the average cost of a public education
tuition to a private school
 ($1621 per semester for 2011-2012)
TOPS Eligible Institutions: LAICU
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Centenary College
Dillard University
Louisiana College
Loyola University
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Our Lady of Holy Cross College
Our Lady of the Lake College
St. Joseph Seminary College
Tulane University
Xavier University
TOPS Awards
 Opportunity Award (tuition amount)
 2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale
 A minimum score of a 20 on the ACT (940 SAT)
 Performance Award (tuition plus $400 stipend)
 3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale
 A minimum score of 23 on the ACT (1050 SAT)
 Honors Award (tuition plus $800 stipend)
 3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale
 A minimum score of 27 on the ACT (1210 SAT)
TOPS Tech Award
 Eligibility Requirements
 2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale
 A minimum score of 17 on the ACT (810 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 if the student is enrolled in a
2-year Tech program
 Can be used for a maximum of 2 years/4 semesters
 Any Cosmetology school in Louisiana which has a current
certificate of registration issued by the State Board of
Cosmetology
 Any accredited proprietary school which has a valid
license issued by the Louisiana Board of Regents
TOPS Tech Award Eligible
Programs
 Check with the school you plan to attend to
determine the programs offered which
qualify for the TOPS Tech Award
 All programs at the Louisiana Technical College
(all campuses) are eligible
 Examples of eligible programs:
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Medical Assistant
Computer Network Technology
Pharmacy Technician
Fire Science Technology
Culinary Arts
Office Administration
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
TOPS Application
 Apply Jan 1 – July 1)
 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) – www.fafsa.ed.gov
 Must be completed if the student is eligible for
federal grant aid (Pell Grant)
 Must be completed if the student is seeking any
other form of financial aid
 The only application needed for TOPS
TOPS Processing Cycle
 STEP 1 – Student takes ACT
 ACT scores are sent to LOSFA electronically
 STEP 2 – Student files FAFSA (Jan 1-July 1)
 FAFSA data is sent to LOSFA electronically
 STEP 3 – Student completes 17.5 core units prior
to high school graduation
 Academic Records from the high schools are sent to
LOSFA electronically
 STEP 4 – Student is determined eligible for TOPS
 Students will be mailed an award letter
 College will see student online at TOPS Master Roster
 STEP 5 – College will send LOSFA a bill
 Students enrolled full-time through the 14th class day
TOPS Award Status
 Students eligible for a TOPS award will be notified
by means of an official award letter from LOSFA
 TOPS recipients should familiarize themselves with the
Rights and Responsibilities included with their award
letter
 TOPS recipients are personally responsible for knowing
and complying with the TOPS continuation requirements
 Students can check their TOPS award status
online by creating a Louisiana Award System
Account at www.osfa.la.gov after June 1, 2012
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
 TOPS Recipients serving in the National Guard will
receive: the tuition exemption equal to the TOPS
award amount; any applicable TOPS stipend; $600
annually for books and supplies
 Returning Out of State Students
 Graduate Study
 Summer Sessions
TOPS Retention Requirements
 Should apply annually by July 1st by
completing the Renewal FAFSA
 Must be continuously enrolled on a full-time
basis during the academic year
 A student is considered full-time for the
semester if they are carrying full-time hours
through the 14th class day of the semester or 9th
day of the quarter
TOPS Retention: Credit Hours
 Must earn 24 credit hours each academic
year
 Failure to earn 24 hours will result in permanent
award cancellation
 Hours earned in advanced placement may not be
used
 Hours earned in summer school or summer
intersession may not be used
 Hours earned during any intersession held between
the beginning of the fall semester and the end of
the spring semester can be used
 Hours earned in required remedial courses may be
used
 “Earned Hours” are hours successfully completed
with a passing grade
TOPS Retention: GPA
 At the end of each Academic Year, the following cumulative
GPA must be maintained:
 Opportunity Award:
2.30 first academic year
2.50 all subsequent years
 Performance Award:
3.00
 Honors Award:
3.00
 Students falling below 3.00 would revert to the
Opportunity Award
 Tech Award:
2.50
 Must meet steady academic requirements of 2.00 at the end
of any semester or quarter
 Award is reinstated upon attainment of the required GPA
 Students failing to meet their GPA requirement will be placed
on suspension not to exceed two years/one year for Tech or
Award will be canceled
What is College?
 Think of “college” as any form of education
after graduating high school:
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Public Colleges
Private Colleges
Community Colleges
Louisiana Technical Colleges
Cosmetology Schools
Proprietary Schools
 Find the perfect fit & major for you!
 2-year, 4-year, etc.
What is
Student
Financial Aid?
Financial Need
 Cost of Attendance (COA)
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Tuition and fees
Room and board
Books and supplies
Transportation
Miscellaneous personal expenses
 Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
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Income
Assets (excluding the family home)
Family size
Number of family members attending college
(excluding parents)
 Age of parents
Financial Need
COST OF ATTENDANCE
- EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION
FINANCIAL NEED
Types of Financial Aid
 Scholarships
 Gift Aid – Based on Merit
 Grants
 Gift Aid – Based on Need
 Employment Opportunities
 Loans
 Must be repaid – may be based on need
Sources of Financial Aid
 State
 Federal
 Institutional
 Private
 Military
Campus-Based Federal Aid
Programs www.studentaid.ed.gov
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FSEOG
Academic Competitiveness Grant
National SMART Grant
Federal Work Study
Pell Grant
TEACH Grant
Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant
Federal Perkins Loans
Direct Loans
Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
 General Information:
 Gift aid
 Maximum award $4,000
 Eligibility Criteria:
 Undergraduates without bachelor’s or first
professional degree
 Must demonstrate exceptional financial need
Academic Competitiveness
Grant (ACG)
 General Eligibility Requirements
 U.S. Citizen
 Pell Grant eligible
 Full-time student
 First Year Students
 Must have completed a rigorous high school
program of study
 Maximum Award Amount: $750
 Second Year Students
 Must have a 3.00 cumulative college GPA
 Maximum Award Amount: $1,300
National SMART Grant
 National Science and Mathematics Access to
Retain Talent Grant
 Available for third and fourth year students
 Maximum Award Amount: $4,000
 Eligibility Requirements
 U.S. Citizen
 Pell Grant eligible
 Full-time student
 Must be enrolled in a four-year institution
 Must major in mathematics, science, computer
sciences, technology, engineering, or a critical
foreign language
 Must have a 3.00 cumulative college GPA
Federal Work Study
 General Information:
 Wages must be not less than current minimum
wage
 Eligibility Criteria:
 Undergraduate, graduate or professional
students, including less-than-half-time students
 Must demonstrate financial need
Federal Pell Grant
 General Information
 Gift aid
 Portable - can receive at any eligible institution
 Maximum Award: $4,050
 Eligibility Criteria
 Undergraduates without a bachelor’s degree or
first professional degree
 Must demonstrate financial need
TEACH Grant
 Teacher Education Assistance for College
and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
 Grants for undergraduate and graduate
students who intend to teach full-time in highneed subject areas for at least four years at
schools that serve low-income students
 Maximum Annual Award Amount: $4,000
 Aggregate Undergraduate Limit: $16,000
 Aggregate Graduate Limit: $8,000
 Institutions are not required to participate in
this program
Iraq and Afghanistan Service
Grant
 For students whose parent or guardian died
as a result of military service in Iraq or
Afghanistan after 9/11/2001
 Student must have been less than 24 years
of age or must have been enrolled at least
half-time at the time of their parent or
guardian’s death
 Student must not have qualified for a Pell
Grant
 Maximum award is equal to maximum Pell
Grant amount
Federal Perkins Loan
 General Information:
 5% interest rate
 Annual Loan limits
 $4,000 for undergraduates
 $6,000 for graduate or professional students
 School is the lender
 Repayment begins 9 months after leaving
school
 10 year repayment period
 Eligibility Criteria:
 Undergraduate, graduate, and professional
students
 Must demonstrate financial need
 Must be willing to repay the loan
Subsidized Loan
 Loan is need-based
 Federal government pays all interest while:
 Borrower is in school, During the grace period,
During periods of deferment
 Interest rate is variable, capped at 8.25%
 Student must have Financial Need
 Student must be enrolled at least half-time
 Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) as defined by the school to
continue receiving loans
 Loan has a 6 month Grace Period after leaving
school or dropping below half-time before entering
repayment
 10 year repayment period
Unsubsidized Loan
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Loan is not need-based
Loan may replace all or part of the student’s EFC
Borrower is responsible for interest at all times
Interest rate is variable, capped at 8.25%
Student must have completed the FAFSA
Student must be enrolled at least half-time
Student must maintain Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) as defined by the school to
continue receiving loans
 Loan has a 6 month Grace Period after leaving
school or dropping below half-time before entering
repayment
 10 year repayment period
Plus Loans
 Parent may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance
less other financial aid received by the student
 Interest rate is annually variable, capped at 9%
 Borrower must be the parent of a dependent
undergraduate student
 Borrower must not have an adverse credit history
 Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully
disbursed
 10 year repayment period
Loan Limits
Total Cumulative Loan Limits
Dependent Student
$31,000
Independent Undergraduate
$57,500
Graduate Student
PLUS Loans
$138,500
No Federal Limit
Chafee Education & Training
Voucher Program (ETV)
 Administered by LOSFA on behalf of the
Louisiana Department of Social Services,
Office of Community Services
 Available to students who are or were (prior
to age 18) in the foster care system
 Maximum Annual Award: $5,000
Chafee Education & Training
Voucher Program (ETV)
 Eligibility Requirements
 Ages 15-21 (age 23 if receiving ETV at 21)
 Enrolled in Louisiana public or LAICU institution
or an approved Louisiana proprietary school
 Must complete the FAFSA annually
 Must have financial need
 Must make Satisfactory Academic Progress as
defined by the institution
 The institution will notify LOSFA of any student
meeting the eligibility criteria
SAFER
Tuition Reimbursement Program
 Administered by LOSFA on behalf of the
Louisiana State Firemen’s Association
 Program provides tuition reimbursement for
students earning a degree or certificate at a
Louisiana public institution
 Applicants must serve two years with a
volunteer fire department as a Fire Fighter
or EMS First Responder before the award
will be paid
 Concurrent with education – priority awards
 Completed after graduation
SAFER
Tuition Reimbursement Program
 Applicants must earn a Fire Fighter I or
National Registry Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) within 1 year of award
 Maximum Award Amount:
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$2,000 per semester
Two-year Program Total: $8,000
Four-year Program Total: $16,000
96 awards will be made
 Application available at: www.vfdla.org
Early Start Program
 The purpose of the Early Start Program is to
provide an incentive for qualified Louisiana high
school students to prepare for a postsecondary
education or career
 Formerly known as the Dual Enrollment Program
 Courses of Study:
 College Level, Degree Credit Courses
 Enrichment/Developmental Courses – English
or Math Courses (not degree credit)
 Work Skills Courses – Skill or Occupational
Training (industry based certification)
 The Early Start Program Application is available
online at www.osfa.la.gov
 General Eligibility & Criteria are also online
Rockefeller State Wildlife
Scholarship
 Open to juniors, seniors and graduate
students majoring in Forestry, Wildlife or
Marine Science at a Louisiana public
institution
 Maximum Annual Award:
 Undergraduate: $2,000
 Graduate: $3,000
 Total Maximum Award: $12,000
 3 years undergraduate study
 2 years graduate study
Go Grant
 The Go Grant provides need-based
financial aid for Louisiana residents
 Program is administered by LOSFA on
behalf of the Louisiana Board of Regents
 Maximum Award for 2010-2011:
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Full-time: $900
Half-time: $450
Less than Half-time: $225
Amounts based on current appropriation
Go Grant
 Eligibility Requirements
 Apply by completing the FAFSA annually
 Louisiana Resident as of the date the FAFSA is
filed
 Certificate or degree seeking undergraduate
student at a Louisiana public or LAICU
institution
 Must receive a Pell Grant
 Must have an Education Cost Gap (ECG)
 Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP) as defined by the institution
Private Aid
 The best source of information on private
aid is the Internet. There are numerous
free scholarship search services available
 See LOSFA website Useful Internet Links page
or Surfing the Web for a listing
 Private aid can be based on merit or
financial need
 Providers of private aid include companies,
civic organizations, religious organizations,
clubs, etc.
Institutional Aid
 Each institution has its own merit-based
scholarship programs
 Many schools have their own need-based
aid programs
 Investigate aid opportunities early
 Each institution has its own aid application
process and deadline
 Upperclassmen should also check with
their department for aid opportunities for
students in a specific major
Military Educational
Opportunities
 G.I. Bill
 Education benefits for service members who
have served on active duty for 90 or more days
 Up to 100% Tuition and Fee Coverage
 Monthly Living (Housing) Stipend
 Up to $1000 a year for Books and Supplies
 Loan Repayment Program
 Individuals enrolled in the LRP earn 33 1/3 percent or
$1,500, whichever is greater, toward the remaining
original unpaid principal on all qualifying loans for
each successfully completed year of enlisted active
duty up to $65,000
Military Educational
Opportunities
 ROTC Scholarships
 In exchange for a service commitment, the
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
scholarships pay for almost all tuition, fees and
books charges for four years of college
 Louisiana National Guard Tuition
Exemption
 Waives the cost of tuition only for Louisiana
Army and Air National Guard soldiers attending
a Louisiana institution
LOSFA Social Sites
http://www.facebook.com/LOSFA
http://www.twitter.com/LOSFA
http://www.youtube.com/ LOSFA1000
http://www.Flickr.com/LOSFA
TOPS Blog
http://www.louisianatopsprogram.com/
www.osfa.la.gov
Contact Information
LOSFA
1-800-259-5626 x1012
custserv@osfa.la.gov
www.osfa.la.gov