State Aid

TOPS

TOPS is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either one of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Eligibility is determined by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) following a student’s graduation from high school. Award letters will be mailed to students by LOSFA beginning in May. Additional information can be found on LOSFA’s website (www.mylosfa.la.gov) or by telephone, 1-800-259-5626, ext 1012

 TOPS Eligibility/Qualifications

  • TOPS awarded based on student’s ACT score
  • TOPS pays tuition only
  • TOPS recipients must be enrolled full-time to remain eligible (12 credit hours per semester or 24 credit hours within the academic year)
  • TOPS recipients who withdraw prior to the official census day will lose their TOPS award and will not be eligible for funding.

TOPS TECH STUDENTS: Students qualifying for the TOPS Tech award MUST be enrolled in a technical program or a LOSFA approved academic program. Certificates and Associates of Applied Science degrees are TOPS Tech eligible.

**NOTE**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. To speak to a representative: 

Call Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) at (800) 259-5626 Ext. 1012 or in Baton Rouge at (225) 922-1012, or
E-mail LOSFA at [email protected], or
Write LOSFA at P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202

For additional information, please visit the LOSFA website:

www.mylosfa.la.gov

Louisiana Go Grant

The Louisiana Go Grant provides a need-based component to the state’s financial aid plan to support non-traditional and low- to moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college.

To be eligible for a Louisiana Go Grant, a student must:

  • Be a Louisiana resident
  • File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Receive a Federal Pell Grant
  • Have remaining financial need after deducting the Student Aid Index (SAI) and all Federal/State/Institutional grant or scholarship aid (GIFT AID) for the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA)
  • Be a student enrolled in an eligible Louisiana institution on at least a half-time basis (minimum 6 hours at a semester school or 4 hours at a quarter school)
  • Priority will be given to those students who are 25 years old or older.
  • For more information, view our Louisiana Go Grant Policy

Award Amounts

Award amounts to eligible students are based on the institution’s allocation and its packaging policy. Awards may vary with each academic year. Awards will not be paid for summer semesters, quarters or terms.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Must file a FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA at least annually
  • Continue to receive the Federal Pell Grant
  • Have remaining financial need after deducting Student Aid Index (SAI) and all federal/state/institutional grant or scholarship aid (gift aid) from student’s Cost of Attendance (COA)
  • The award can be renewed for subsequent years to a maximum lifetime award that correlates to that of the Federal Pell Grant.