TOPS Scholarship Information - Southeastern Louisiana University

Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

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. Learn more information on eligibility and renewal requirements.

How to Apply

Complete the FAFSA by July 1 each year.
Receive an official TOPS award letter, via email, from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). Students can expect to receive the notification towards the end of June, or beginning of July. This notification will provides the student with the TOPS level.

Award Amount and Requirements

Award	ACT	GPA	Fall Award	Spring Award	Annual Total
TOPS Excellence (High Cost Programs*)	31	3.5	$4,601.50	$4,601.50	$9,203.00
TOPS Excellence	31	3.5	$4,521.50	$4,521.50	$9,043.00
TOPS Honors Award (including stipend)	27	3.5	$3,226.11	$3,226.10	$6,452.21
TOPS Performance Award (including stipend)	23	3.25	$3,026.11	$3,026.10	$6,052.21
TOPS Opportunity Award	20	2.5	$2,826.11	$2,826.10	$5,652.21
TOPS Tech Award (Industrial Technology AAS)	17	2.5	$1,190.00	$1,190.00	$2,380.00

*TOPS award estimates include stipends a student is potentially eligible for.

*Eligible TOPS Excellence recipients enrolled in a High Cost Program will receive an annual award amount of $9,203.00.

Award Retention

Students must meet the following requirements each semester to receive payment for TOPS:

Be enrolled full-time on the 15th day of class each semester.
Earn 24 credit hours by the end of the academic year. Academic year is defined as fall, spring, summer, and interim sessions.
Maintain continuous enrollment through consecutive fall and spring semesters.
Maintain the required GPA for specific TOPS award.
Earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of each fall, spring, and all interim sessions.

The following cumulative GPA’s will be checked at the end of each summer semester
in order to maintain the award:

TOPS Opportunity Recipients

Below 24 hours earned – 2.00 GPA
24-47 hours earned – 2.30 GPA
48 or above hours earned – 2.50 GPA

TOPS Performance, Honors, and Excellence Recipients

3.00 GPA

TOPS National Guard

Award	ACT	GPA	Fall Award	Spring Award	Annual Total
TOPS National Guard Excellence Award	31	3.5	$1,300.00	$1,300.00	$2,600.00
TOPS National Guard Honors Award (including stipends)	27	3.5	$1,100.00	$1,100.00	$2,200.00
TOPS National Guard Performance Award (including stipends)	23	3.25	$700.00	$700.00	$1400.00
TOPS National Guard Opportunity Award	20	2.5	$300.00	$300.00	$600.00

*TOPS award estimates include stipends a student is potentially eligible for.

Students eligible for both institutional National Guard tuition waivers and TOPS awards must accept the institutional National Guard tuition waiver. If you are eligible for National Guard and TOPS, you will receive a reduced TOPS award. Additional information can be found here.

Things to Consider

Students must become familiar with the TOPS Award Recipients Rights and Responsibilities.
TOPS can only be used within one year of high school graduation.
Remaining semesters of TOPS eligibility can be used for graduate school if used within one year. Contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for more information at [email protected].
If a student loses TOPS eligibility, he/she can apply to have the circumstances considered. Exception Forms should be sent directly to LOSFA.
For any questions regarding initial eligibility, award retention, or loss of eligibility, students can contact LOSFA at 1-800-259-5626 or email at [email protected].