TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)

Louisiana residents who graduate from an eligible Louisiana high school having completed the TOPS core curriculum, meet the GPA and ACT floor for one of the five award levels, file the FAFSA by Jul 1, and enroll full-time at an eligible Louisiana institution.

TOPS is Louisiana's core merit scholarship, administered by LOSFA. It has five levels, each with its own GPA and ACT floor: TOPS Tech (2.50 GPA / ACT 17), TOPS Opportunity (2.50 / 20), TOPS Performance (3.25 / 23), TOPS Honors (3.50 / 27) and TOPS Excellence (3.50 / 31). For 2026-27 the annual award totals are $2,618.00 (Tech and Opportunity), $3,018.00 (Performance), $3,418.00 (Honors) and $4,439.50 (Excellence). Students must complete the Louisiana TOPS core curriculum, be a Louisiana resident, and file the FAFSA by July 1. One timing trap matters a great deal: the qualifying ACT score must be earned by the April national test date of senior year. A score first earned at the June or July administration still qualifies but LOSFA permanently reduces the award by one semester.

Renewal terms: Renewable for up to 8 semesters (4 semesters for TOPS Tech) with a 2.3-3.0 cumulative college GPA depending on award level and 24 earned hours per academic year. Requires annual FAFSA refiling.