TOPS scholarships are awarded by the State of Louisiana through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance in Baton Rouge. We may place TOPS on your financial aid award letter in anticipation of being awarded a TOPS scholarship. An anticipated TOPS award listed on your financial aid award letter is not an official offer. The official offer will come from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) if you are eligible (see LOSFA Award System for current eligibility status). We estimate the award to prevent making reductions to other awards at a later date since the majority of Louisiana students should qualify. If you know you are not eligible to receive TOPS, please indicate such on your award letter and we will correct our records and your award package. If you are TOPS eligible and anticipate any additional scholarships or financial aid please notify the Financial Aid Office. If additional aid is received at any time during the school year, an adjustment to your original award may be made to prevent an over award.
Overaward: In the event the student's total aid exceeds his financial need or the cost of attendance, any federal loan aid shall be reduced, then institutional and other aid in accordance with the institutional practice, then State Scholarships and Grants (including TOPS if applicable), shall be reduced by the amount of any remaining overaward.
For more information about TOPS, see the topics below:
- TOPS Rights and Responsibilities More...
- TOPS Questions and Answers from LOSFA More...
- How and When to Apply for TOPS More...
- TOPS Tuition per Award Year More...
- Maintaining Your TOPS Eligibility - Steady Academic Progress More...
- Maintaining Your TOPS Eligibility - Hours Per Academic Year More...
- TOPS Summer Information More..
- Failure to Maintain TOPS Requirements More...
- Exceptions Granted by LOSFA More...
- Renewing Your TOPS Award - To renew your TOPS Award for the next academic year, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a renewal FAFSA by July 1st of each year.
Important: Students receiving TOPS must be enrolled full-time (as defined by your institution) as of the 15th class day at semester schools or the 10th class day at quarter schools every semester or quarter they enroll (excluding summers) and maintain continuous enrollment. At Louisiana Tech University full-time for Undergraduate students is 8 hours or more; full-time for Graduate students is 6 hours.
For more information contact:
Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202
(800) 259-5626
www.osfa.state.la.us or E-mail: CUSTSERV@OSFA.STATE.LA.US
