/ Challenge to Change

Note: An award made for summer school expends one semester of eligibility.

Q. How many semesters can a TOPS award be used?

A. Students may receive TOPS Awards for no more than eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters. Students who are prior Louisiana Honors or Tuition Assistance Program recipients may receive up to ten (10) semesters or fifteen (15) quarters. In exceptional circumstances, such as permanent disability, TOPS students may be granted authority to attend part time, but the total award may not exceed the equivalent of eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters.

Q. Will TOPS pay for graduate school?

A. No. The TOPS award is paid for undergraduate school and, if the student has not been awarded a baccalaureate degree, for professional school (dental, pharmacy, veterinary, etc.) up to a total of eight (8) semesters or twelve (12) quarters or award of a baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first.

Q. How does the college get the money for a TOPS award?

A. TOPS awards are paid by LOSFA directly to the institutions upon verification of the student's enrollment.

Q. When are TOPS funds disbursed to the institutions?

A. Institutions are not allowed to invoice for tuition until after the 14th class day (semester schools) or the 9th class day (term or quarter schools). Payment is made after receipt and processing of the invoice.

Q. How does the university get the TOPS money to the student (both tuition and stipend)?

A. This varies from institution to institution. Students should contact the bursar or the financial aid officer at his or her school. Normally, the award is applied to charges owed the institution and the balance, if any, will be remitted to the student.

Q. Can TOPS be used in conjunction with other types of scholarships?

A. Yes. A student can be awarded scholarships, other financial aid, and TOPS up to the cost of attendance for the college or university attended. Cost of attendance is determined by each college and university based on federal guidelines and can include tuition and fees, on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students) and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, child care, costs related to a disability, and miscellaneous expenses. After amounts owed to the college or university are deducted, the remainder is refunded to the student.

If the total of the scholarships, loans, and TOPS Award exceed the cost of attendance, loans will be reduced first followed by the TOPS Award, by that amount over the cost of attendance.

Q. Can a student with TOPS Opportunity, Performance or Honors Award use his award to enroll in an occupational, skill or technical (nonacademic) program.

A. Yes. See the Section entitled TOPS-Tech Award for additional information.

AWARD LETTERS

Q. Is there a schedule set up for the mailout of award letters?

A. No. Award letters are sent out as soon as a student is determined eligible. A computer program to determine the eligibility of applicants is run once weekly and produces award letters, which are mailed immediately. In 2001, the first run was made on June 1, 2001. A student cannot be determined eligible until LOSFA has the ACT score, the FAFSA information, and the high school's certification of the applicant's academic record. If any one of the three is delayed or incorrect (social security number problems, late FAFSA, residency problems, etc.), the student's eligibility will not be determined until the corrected information is received. High school certifications that are not submitted via the Internet must be manually entered and, therefore, slow down the initial determination of eligibility.

Q. What does the word "tentative" mean on the award letter? Does that mean the student is guaranteed TOPS?

A. The award letter acknowledges that a student has met the initial eligibility requirements to qualify for a TOPS Award. However, the award is "tentative" because, in order to receive the TOPS award, the student must still enroll for the first time as a full time student in an eligible institution no later than the fall semester immediately following the first anniversary of the student's graduation from high school in order to receive the TOPS award.

CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT

Q. When a person is not a U.S. citizen, are they eligible for TOPS?

A. No. Generally, a student must be a citizen of the United States to qualify for a TOPS award.

Q. Are there any exceptions or circumstances that would allow a waiver of the citizenship requirement?

A. Yes, there is one exception. The TOPS statute provides: "if within sixty days after the date the student attains the age of majority (18), the student applies to become a citizen of the United States and obtains such citizenship within one year after the date of application," the student will be treated as an eligible citizen for TOPS. Because of the Immigration and Naturalization Service requirements, most students will not qualify for this exception.

The TOPS statute does not provide any circumstances that would allow a waiver of the citizenship requirement.

Q. A student is an eligible non-citizen, but was older than 19 years plus 60 days when he graduated from high school. Can he be considered for TOPS?

A. No. The statute requires the student to be a U.S. citizen when he or she graduates from high school. The exception to the citizenship requirement would not apply to this student.

Q. If a student has applied for and been granted permanent residence status, but will not be eligible for citizenship until he is 20 years old, can he be eligible for TOPS if he will graduate when he is 20 and after citizenship has been granted?

A. Yes. The citizenship requirement is based on the student's citizenship status at graduation. However, if the student is 20 years old and graduates before becoming a U.S. citizen, he would be ineligible for TOPS.

COLLEGE GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Q. How is a college cumulative GPA calculated?

A. Only grades and hours earned which are on the official report received from the school attended will be considered. All college courses attempted for which a grade is awarded must be included in the grade point calculation, including college courses taken by a high school student during an early admission program and prior to enrolling for the first time as a full time student in an eligible college or university. In addition, the college cumulative grade point average calculation must include all courses attempted for which a grade is awarded at all colleges and universities attended, regardless of whether the courses are accepted by the subsequent school for credit or for graduation. The cumulative grade point average reported by the school will be used to determine continued eligibility for a particular award. Students should be aware that individual school policies may affect the reporting of grade point average and hours earned for the academic year and, accordingly, should become familiar with these policies.

Q. How is my college grade point average calculated if I transfer from one college to a college that does not accept all my courses.

A. The TOPS statute requires the calculation to include all courses attempted. This means that the cumulative GPA for TOPS purposes must include every course for which a grade was given at every college and university attended. Courses that do not transfer because the student failed the course or because the courses are not needed for graduation in the new college must be included in the calculation of the TOPS cumulative GPA.

CORE CURRICULUM

Q. If a high school does not offer a core course, can it be waived?

A. Yes. If a principal can certify a course required by the core curriculum is not available to a student, the course may be waived. Starting with the 2003-2004 high school academic year, students are required to complete all core curriculum requirements. If the school does not offer a course, other arrangements must be made if the student desires to be eligible for a TOPS Award.

Q. Is a student who graduates from out-of-state high school required by TOPS to meet the TOPS core curriculum requirements to be eligible for a TOPS Award?

A. Students who graduate from out-of-state high schools are NOT required to meet the core curriculum requirements for TOPS to qualify for a TOPS Award. However, the student must have an ACT (SAT) score of 20 for TOPS Tech and at least a 23 for Opportunity, 26 for Performance and 30 for Honors.

Q. A student did not take French I, but took French II and French III. Can these two classes be used to meet the Foreign Language requirement?

A. Yes. TOPS legislation only requires two (2) units in the same language.

Q. Can a student be eligible for TOPS if she graduated early and could only take Business English instead of English IV?

A. No. The student would not be eligible for TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors because the TOPS statute requires English IV. However, the student may be eligible for the TOPS Tech Award.

Q. Some of the TOPS core curriculum courses permit the substitution of an elective from among the other subjects listed in the core curriculum. Which courses does this include for 2002 graduates?

A. Except as indicated, one unit of any of the following courses that have not been used to satisfy other core requirements may be substituted for Fine Arts Survey or one half unit for Computer Science, Computer Literacy or Business Computer Applications.

For TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors: Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus or comparable Advanced Mathematics, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, Physics for Technology, World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, Fine Arts Survey, Foreign Language, General Science, Integrated Science, Algebra I, Parts 1 and 2, Applied Mathematics I and II, Integrated Mathematics I, II and III, Pre-Calculus, Algebra III, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Applied Mathematics III, Chemistry Com, Speech Debate (2 units), European History, Computer Science, Computer Literacy and Business Computer Applications.

For TOPS Tech: Business English, English IV, Geometry, Applied Algebra 1A and 1B (2 units), Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics I, Advanced Mathematics II, Discrete Mathematics, Probability and Statistics (2 units), Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III (three units), Applied Geometry Trigonometry, Calculus or comparable Advanced Mathematics, Chemistry or Applied Chemistry, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, Physics for Technology, World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, Fine Arts Survey, Foreign Language, Technical Writing, Speech I, Speech II, General Science, Algebra I, Parts 1 and 2, Applied Mathematics I and II, Pre-Calculus, Algebra III, Discrete Mathematics, Applied Mathematics III, Chemistry Com, Speech Debate (2 units), Computer Science, Computer Literacy, Business Applications, European History, and any approved vocational course in the areas of Agriscience, Business Education, Family and Consumer Science, Health Occupations, Marketing Education, Technology Education, or Trade and Industrial Education.

Q. If a student has passed a proficiency test for a foreign language, can the unit be used for completion of the core curriculum foreign language requirement?

A. Yes. If the high school includes the foreign language unit obtained through proficiency testing on the official transcript, it may be used for the core curriculum.

Q. Can an extra foreign language be used to substitute for either the required unit of Fine Arts Survey or one half unit of Computer Science?

A. Yes. An extra foreign language (third in the same language or in a second foreign language) may substitute for either the required unit of Fine Arts Survey or the one half unit of Computer Science.

Q. A student earned a half unit of Fine Arts Survey and a half unit of Environmental Science that is not needed to meet his other core curriculum requirements. Can he use the half credit of Environmental Science to complete his Fine Arts Survey requirement?

A. No. The student must earn a whole unit of Environmental Science to substitute for the Fine Arts Survey requirement.

Q. A student in my high school has taken college courses for credit. May these be considered as part of the core curriculum for TOPS purposes?

A. Yes. College level courses taken in the classroom or by correspondence may be used to qualify for TOPS provided that they are determined by the high school to be equivalent courses and are added to the student's high school records.

College level courses taken in an early admissions program must be reported on the forms required by the Louisiana Department of Education. See the section on "Early College Admission Programs" for additional information.

Q. We have a student who grew up in China and speaks fluent Chinese, but is just now learning English. Can the English courses count as the foreign language, and if not, can the fact that he speaks Chinese count?

A. No. English is not considered a foreign language. The English courses are part of the core curriculum. The foreign language courses must be taken and passed during high school. By itself, the fact that he speaks Chinese does not count toward the core foreign language requirement, however, if the student passes a proficiency test in Chinese and it is reflected on the official transcript, it may be used to satisfy the foreign language requirement.

Q. Who should be contacted to get approval for courses taught at a high school that may be equivalent to courses in the TOPS core?

A. The school's local governing school board (or equivalent authority for private schools) must submit a request to LOSFA. The request should include the course syllabus and sufficient information to support the request. BESE and the Board of Regents will determine if the course is equivalent. If BESE and the Board of Regents concur that the course is equivalent to a course in the core curriculum, a proposed rule will be submitted to the Commission for initiation of rulemaking to authorize the course as an equivalent.

CUMULATIVE HIGH SCHOOL GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Q. How is the high school cumulative GPA calculated?

A. The final cumulative high school grade point average calculated on a 4.00 scale for all courses attempted, including each course that is repeated. For those high schools that utilize other than a 4.00 scale, all grade values must be converted to a 4.00 scale utilizing the following formula:

For schools awarding a maximum of 5 points for honor's courses, the formula would be used to convert the honors course grade of "C" (which assumes that a "C" would be equal to 3.00 points in the 5.00 grading system) as shown in the following example.

By cross multiplying, 5X = 12; X = 2.40

Q. Why doesn't a student's TOPS high school GPA agree with the GPA shown on their official transcript?

A. The TOPS cumulative grade point average must be calculated using all courses attempted, including courses that are repeated. Some high schools do not include failed courses that are repeated for a passing grade on the official transcript. This results in a grade point average that is higher than the grade point average computed for TOPS.

In addition, some high schools use a grade point scale higher than a 4.0 for honors and advanced placement courses. This can result in grade point averages higher than a 4.0. For purposes of determining TOPS eligibility, all grades are converted to a 4.0 grade point scale.

Q. If a student failed a class, took the class over, then made an A, and our parish policy states that the F is not transferred to the transcript, how does the counselor calculate the GPA for the student for TOPS?

A. TOPS rules require the final cumulative high school grade point average for all courses attempted. A previous question and answer in this series as well as the TOPS rules §1703.B.3 and TOPS Bulletin T2000-18, both available on our web site, provide complete information about calculating the grade point average.

Q. If a student makes a higher ACT score than 20, do they still need a cumulative 2.50 GPA to be eligible for TOPS?

A. Yes. The TOPS statute requires a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 2.50. This minimum cannot be waived.

Q. If a student makes a 3.00 in college, can they move up to a higher award level?

A. No. Students are awarded TOPS based on their academic performance in high school. Students must meet the TOPS requirements at the time of graduation from high school and once awarded, must meet certain academic standards in college to continue their award.

Q. If a student did not have a 2.50 GPA when they graduated high school, can they get a higher GPA in college and receive TOPS then?

A. No. Students are awarded TOPS based on their academic performance in high school. Students must meet the TOPS requirements at the time of graduation from high school.

Q. Is there an exception for GPA if a student is on a 504 plan or has an IEP on file?

A. No. The statute requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50. This requirement cannot be waived.

DISABLED STUDENTS

Q. Does a student with a disability have to take all of the core curriculum units? If not, what documentation must they provide?

A. Core curriculum requirements may be waived for a student who has one or more learning, visual, hearing, or physical disabilities. In order to obtain a waiver, the high school must certify to LOSFA that it has on file in the school records the following documents:

Q. If the recommended accommodation is for the student not to take the course, and the 504 Plan reflects the school's acceptance of the accommodation, is it acceptable for the principal to certify that the sole reason that the student did not complete the course was due solely to the student's disability?

A. Yes. If a student does not take a course under this circumstance, this is acceptable. If the student ignores the recommendation and attempts the course and then drops the course due to the disability, the result would be the same.

Q. Is the high school required to include a course in a student's cumulative grade point average if a student is diagnosed with a disability, the high school provides special accommodations, and the student earns a "D" or "C" in the course?

A. Yes. All courses attempted must be included in the cumulative grade point average. Courses that are passed cannot be waived based on disability.

Q. We have a deaf student who is taking signing courses. Can these courses be counted as core curriculum foreign language courses?

A. No. Signing is not considered a foreign language.

EARLY COLLEGE ADMISSION PROGRAMS

Q. When does a student who enters college in an early admissions program become eligible for TOPS?

A. Students who enter college under an early admissions program are not eligible for TOPS until the first semester following the date the student graduates from high school. A student in an early admissions program will remain eligible for a TOPS award until the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student graduates from high school.

Q. Are there any special TOPS requirements for students in early admissions programs?

A. The student must enter the program prior to high school graduation and meet the following requirements:

Q. If a student graduates from high school in less than four years, when will he be eligible for TOPS?

A. Students who graduate early in mid-year are eligible for a TOPS Award in the spring semester following graduation. Students who graduate early in the spring are eligible for a TOPS Award in the fall semester following graduation. Students who graduate early must comply with the FAFSA and ACT deadlines applicable to the class that graduates in the spring of that high school academic year. Students that graduated early in December 2001 or graduate early in May 2002 must meet the same deadlines as students who graduate on time in May 2002.

ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS

Q. Can a student use TOPS for any postsecondary school?

A. No. TOPS can only be used at an "eligible institution" (Louisiana public postsecondary schools and regionally accredited independent colleges or universities in the state that are members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities).

Q. If a student wants to pursue a program of study that is not offered in Louisiana, can they use TOPS in another state?

A. No. TOPS is not portable to other states.

FIRST TIME FULL TIME REQUIREMENT

Q. Is there a deadline for a student to enroll in college?

A. A student must enroll for the first-time as a full-time student in an eligible postsecondary institution no later than the first college semester following the first anniversary of the date the student graduated from high school. A student who graduates in May 2002 would have until the fall semester of 2003 to enroll as a first-time full-time student.

Once a student enrolls as a full time student, he must enroll full time in each semester (fall and spring) thereafter.

Q. A high school student is in a serious auto wreck after graduating from high school and is unable to enroll as a full time student by the deadline due to his injuries. Is there anyway this student can retain his TOPS Award?

A. Yes. There are certain circumstances for which an exception may be granted for failure to initially enroll full time within the allotted time period (the first semester following the first anniversary of the date of high school graduation). These include such temporary disabilities as those caused by a car wreck. A form to request an exception with instructions describing the various reasons for an exception and the documentation required can be found on the LOSFA website (www.osfa.state.la.us) or obtained directly from LOSFA.

Q. Is there an exception to the initial enrollment deadline for high school graduates who enter on active duty after graduation and before enrolling for the first time as a full time student?

A. Yes. The TOPS statute allows a high school graduate who enters the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty no later than one year after graduation to delay enrolling in college for the first time as a full time student to the semester (not including summer sessions) five years after the date of high school graduation.

Q. If a student goes to college out-of-state the first year as a full-time student, can he come back to Louisiana and use TOPS the second year?

A. No. Students must accept the scholarship as a first-time, full-time freshman (FTFT) at an eligible institution. Out-of-state colleges are ineligible. High school graduates who chose to enroll for the first time in an out-of-state college as a full time student, and then return to Louisiana, will not be considered FTFT students and will be ineligible for TOPS. The exception for this circumstance expired with the high school graduates of 2001.

Q. Does a student lose eligibility for a TOPS Award by attending college during high school or during summer sessions before enrolling as a full time college student?

A. No. A high school student is allowed to enroll in college while still attending high school and between graduation and first time full time enrollment.

Q. If a student attends college during high school or during summer sessions before enrolling as a full time college student, will his grades or hours disqualify him from a TOPS award?

A. No. A high school student who earns college hours under these circumstances and who otherwise qualifies for a TOPS Award will receive the award for the first semester of full time enrollment. However, the student's grades will be checked after the first semester of full time enrollment to see if the student has maintained Steady Academic Progress (at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA). If Steady Academic Progress has not been maintained, the award will be suspended. At the end of the academic year (after the spring semester) and assuming the student has earned 24 hours or more, grades will be checked to see if he has maintained at least a 2.30 for the Opportunity Award and a 3.00 for the Performance and Honors Award. A student who does not achieve the required GPA is suspended from TOPS. If the student regains the required cumulative GPA within two years of the date of suspension, the TOPS Award will be reinstated. Otherwise, it is cancelled.

GED

Q. If a student obtains a General Education Diploma (GED), can he be considered for TOPS?

A. No. There are currently no provisions in law to permit students who earn a GED to qualify for TOPS.

GRADUATION RECOGNITION

Q. What terminology should a counselor use to recognize a potential TOPS recipient at graduation?

A. It is inappropriate for the high school to state that a student has been awarded TOPS. While the high school certifies the completion of the core curriculum, the high school cumulative grade point average and graduation, other criteria for qualification apply which are compiled by LOSFA. Qualification is also based on official ACT scores, timely receipt of a FAFSA and the information in the FAFSA relating to citizenship, residency and criminal record.

If the high school elects to notify students of their certification based upon data available to the school, the TOPS rules require that the high school make the following disclaimer:

Q. A student was given a certificate at graduation that said they had TOPS. Now, their college has no record of that award. What's going on?

A. While some high schools honor their graduates by announcing anticipated TOPS scholarships, the only official notification of a TOPS scholarship is the award certification letter from Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission (LASFAC).

HIGH SCHOOL CERTIFICATION

Q. Is there a schedule set up for the mail out of high school certifications?

A. Bulletins are distributed to each high school announcing tentative schedules for making certifications.

High schools with access to LOSFA's web site may certify students on a continuous basis. As student FAFSA and ACT (SAT) information becomes available to LOSFA, students are posted to the web on-line response system weekly.

High schools that use traditional paper certification forms must complete, certify, and return the certification forms as they are produced. LOSFA has been producing at least 3 to 4 certification forms during the year. Because students may submit an initial FAFSA up to 120 days beyond the July 1 deadline (with penalties), additional certification forms will be produced to certify the students who apply during the penalty period.

Schools are encouraged to use the expedient and much more efficient web certification process.

Q. When a counselor attempts to certify a student online, he is unable to get into that area of the Web site. The error message says, "the school code is not recognized or has changed." The counselor is using the same ACT high school code they have always used. What is the reason for the problem?

A. The number the system is looking for is actually a PIN number that is assigned to each high school EACH YEAR. A new PIN is assigned each year. This is done for security reasons. The school must submit a request each year for online certification and return the certification verification form before the PIN number is activated.

Q. How can a counselor remove a student's name from their certification list if that student did not graduate from their high school?

A. The TOPS website for online certification has added an indicator to allow counselors to identify those students on the school's list who did not graduate from that school. When this indicator is selected, the student will be contacted for a high school code correction. Schools certifying on paper should indicate those students who did not graduate from that high school on the certification form.

HOME-STUDY PROGRAMS

Q. Can a home-study student receive TOPS, and, if so, are there any special requirements?

A. Yes. The Louisiana Department of Education must report to LOSFA the names of students who are enrolled in and have completed all mandatory requirements through the twelfth grade level of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

If the student ever enrolled in a Louisiana public high school or nonpublic high school or an approved non-Louisiana high school which was or has been approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the student must have begun his or her studies in the approved home study program no later than the conclusion of the tenth grade year and the previously attended high school must provide LOSFA with certification that the student was in good standing at the time the student last attended that school.

In addition, the student must have an ACT (SAT) score of 20 for TOPS Tech and at least a 23 for Opportunity, 26 for Performance, and 30 for Honors.

Q. Is a home study student eligible for TOPS in an early admissions program?

A. No. Only students enrolled in public or BESE approved private high schools are eligible for early college admission programs. For additional information, see the section above entitled "Early College Admission Programs."

HONORS COURSES - PERFORMANCE AWARD

Q. Is there any recognition for a student who takes "honors" courses?

A. Yes. A student who takes and passes honors courses may be eligible for a TOPS Performance Award based on "alternate requirements."

Q. What are the alternate requirements?

A. The "alternate requirements" are: 1. Successfully complete at least ten honors courses; 2. The honors courses must be graded on a 5.0 scale; 3. Have a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (the grades for honors courses must be converted to the 4.00 scale); 4. Achieve a score of at least 24 on the ACT (SAT); and 5. Meet the citizenship, residency, core curriculum, and other requirements for a TOPS Award.

Q. What is an "honors" course?

A. Any rigorous course so designated by the respective school district. Courses designated as enriched, enhanced, advanced placement, and as part of International Baccalaureate, diploma program may be designated as honors courses. The school must maintain a listing of courses that have been so designated and make it available to LOSFA on request.

Q. What if the honors courses are graded on some scale other than a 5.00 scale?

A. The student would not be eligible for the Performance Award using this alternate criterion.

NATIONAL GUARD

Q. Can a student receive a TOPS award if the student joins the National Guard?

A. Yes. A student who joins the National Guard and is awarded TOPS is exempt from tuition that would be covered by TOPS. In addition, the student will receive an additional $300 per year for the actual cost of books and other instructional materials. Students with Performance and Honors Awards will receive their stipends.

OUT-OF-COUNTRY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND HOME STUDY PROGRAMS

Q. Can a student who graduates from a high school or completes a home study program outside of the United States and its territories qualify for a TOPS Award.

A. Yes. These students may qualify for either a TOPS-Tech or TOPS Opportunity Award. They must meet the alternate eligibility requirements to qualify.

Q. What are the alternate requirements for a student who graduates from an out-of-country high school or completes a home study program out-of country?

A. The "alternate requirements" are as follows:

OUT-OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

Q. Can a student who graduates from a high school outside of Louisiana qualify for a TOPS Award?

A. Yes. These students must meet the alternate eligibility requirements to qualify.

Q. What is the purpose of the alternate eligibility requirements?

A. These requirements permit students who qualify as Louisiana residents and who graduated from out-of-state high schools to qualify for a TOPS Award. Since course names and grading scales for these students may not be consistent with Louisiana's standards, a higher standardized test score was selected as the criteria for qualification.

Q. What are the alternate requirements for a student who graduates from an out-of-state high school?

A. These "alternate requirements" for graduates of out-of-state high schools are as follows:

PERMANENT DISABILITY

Q. What if a student qualifies for a TOPS Award, but cannot attend college on a full time basis because of a permanent disability?

A. The student may be eligible for an exception to the full time enrollment requirement. The student applies to LOSFA for an exception based on permanent disability. The application must include a written document from a qualified professional that states:

REMEDIAL COLLEGE COURSES

Q. Are remedial courses part of the 24 credit hours required annually in college?

A. Remedial courses may be counted toward the 24 hour requirement if the college attended includes the hours on the transcript.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Q. What is the residency requirement?

A. A dependent student must have a parent or court appointed custodian ("legal guardian") who was a legal resident of Louisiana for at least 24 months prior to the month of the student's high school graduation date. Independent students must have been a legal resident of Louisiana for at least 24 months prior to the month of their high school graduation date.

Q. What is a legal resident?

A. A "legal resident" is a person who resides (actually lives) in Louisiana and, if registered to vote, has registered to vote in Louisiana as evidenced by a voter's registration card; and, if licensed to drive a motor vehicle, has a Louisiana driver's license; and, if owning a motor vehicle located in Louisiana, has registered that vehicle in Louisiana; and, if earning a reportable income, has filed a Louisiana tax return.

Q. What is a "legal guardian"?

A. A "legal guardian" is an adult appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction to have custody and care of a minor, and who demonstrates the requirement to provide the primary support for such minor. Documents such as powers of attorney and Provisional Custody by Mandate are not acceptable since they are not issued by a court. The legal guardianship must be in effect before the student graduates from high school to be considered.

Q. How does a student know whether they are a dependent or independent student?

A. All students are classified as dependent unless LOSFA determines the student is "independent." The determination may be based on information provided by the student on the application or in documents provided to LOSFA. LOSFA will automatically classify a student as independent if the student is determined to be an "independent student" by a financial aid officer at a postsecondary institution.

Q. What are the requirements to be an "independent student?

A. In order to be an independent student, the student:

Q. What are the requirements to be classified as an "orphan"?

A. An orphan is a person who does not live with either parent because:

Q. How do you calculate the 24 month period for residency.

A. The TOPS statute requires residency for a period of 24 months preceding the student's graduation. Months are calendar months and are counted backward starting with the month preceding the month of high school graduation.

For example, a student graduating in May 2002 would start counting with April 2002 and count backward 24 months. This student would have to demonstrate legal residency from May 2000 through April 2002.

Q. A student has been informed by letter or observed on the LOSFA web site that he has been determined ineligible for TOPS due to residency. He has lived in Louisiana all his life. Why has this happened and what must be done to correct the mistake?

A. Dependent students establish residency through at least one parent or a "legal guardian" who has been a legal resident of Louisiana for the 24 consecutive months preceding the student's date of high school graduation. If a student does not have a parent or a "legal guardian" who meets the residency requirement, the student may be eligible for a TOPS Award as an independent student based on his or her own residency in Louisiana.

LOSFA receives residency information from the FAFSA. If incorrect residency data is entered on the FAFSA, the student and/or parent must either submit a corrected FAFSA or complete an affidavit of residency and provide appropriate supporting documents. LOSFA recommends filing a corrected FAFSA. A "legal guardian" is not considered to be a parent for the purpose of completing the FAFSA, so a "legal guardian" must complete an affidavit of residency (available on the web at www.osfa.state.la.us).

Q. If a 2002 graduate has lived in Louisiana for most or all of their lives, why does the Web site show their date of residency as 01/01/1997?

A. The 2002-2003 FAFSA asks if the parent has been a legal resident since January 1, 1997 (five years). If the answer is "yes" to the residency question, the computer automatically enters 01/01/97 as the date of residency. The date is simply a default date. There is no need to correct this because TOPS only requires 24 consecutive months of residency preceding the student's date of high school graduation.

If the computer picks up a "no" to the residency question, then it picks up the answer for the actual date of residency.

Q. If a grandparent is rearing a grandchild whose parent's have completely abandoned her, yet the grandparent has never become the child's "legal guardian", how will that affect her residency? What can be done to remedy this problem?

A. A dependent student must have one parent or a "legal guardian" who has been a resident of Louisiana for the 24 months preceding the student's graduation from high school. If the grandparent is not a "legal guardian," and there is no parent who meets the Louisiana residency requirements, the student is ineligible for a TOPS Award, unless the student can establish that he or she is an "independent student." See the question in this section concerning "independent students." The student should contact the financial aid officer at the postsecondary institution he or she intends to enroll for assistance with unusual family circumstances.

Q. Is there any way that a student who has graduated from a high school in Louisiana can qualify as a resident, if he or she does not have a parent or "legal guardian" who has been a legal resident of Louisiana for the required 24 months?

A. An independent student can use his or her own residency to qualify for TOPS. A person who qualifies as an independent student person must be able to demonstrate "legal residency." (See also the answer to the second question in this section.)

Q. Can a student qualify for TOPS if one or both their parents are in the military and stationed outside of Louisiana? What documentation is needed for that?

A. Yes. If the member of the Armed Forces is on active duty and the official military personnel or pay records (DD Form 2058) show that the member claims Louisiana as his legal residence, the student will be eligible if the military parent has filed a Louisiana tax return for the most recent two years. A completed residency affidavit and a copy of the DD Form 2058 and a copy of both tax returns must be submitted.

Q. Can a student qualify for TOPS if their parents were transferred by the military into Louisiana? What documentation is needed for that?

A. Yes. If a parent was classified as a Louisiana resident when transferred to Louisiana, the student can meet the residency requirements (See the previous question and answer.) If the military parent was not a Louisiana resident, the student can meet the residency requirements if the military parent who is transferred to Louisiana under permanent change of station orders changes his or her DD Form 2058 to establish Louisiana as his legal residence not later than sixty days after reporting to such station, and thereafter complies with all Louisiana income tax laws and regulations while stationed in Louisiana.

The student must submit to LOSFA a completed residency affidavit and a copy of a DD Form 2058 validated by the member's military personnel officer and showing Louisiana as the member's state of legal residence at the time the service member's dependent applies for TOPS. The DD Form 2058 must reflect that it was filed within sixty days after the member reported to duty at a duty station in Louisiana.

Q. If the non-Louisiana resident military parent did not change his DD Form 2058 within 60 days of reporting to the Louisiana duty station, is there any way for the student to become eligible for a TOPS Award?

A. Yes. There are two options:

Q. If a student's parents are residents of Louisiana, but he left that information blank or inserted the wrong state on the federal application, what can he do to correct that information?

A. The student may either use their Student Aid Report (SAR) to correct the residency information or have his parents complete a TOPS residency affidavit and provide the supporting documentation.

Q. A student states that her parents are residents of Louisiana, but do not file tax returns, are not registered to vote, and do not drive. Can she be considered for TOPS?

A. Yes. If the student submits a FAFSA certifying that her parents are and have been residents of Louisiana for at least 24 months preceding the student's high school graduation, an affidavit will not be required.

Otherwise, submit an affidavit of residency with documents that support one or both parent(s) residency in Louisiana for the required 24 months. The documents must show that a parent actually resided in Louisiana for the 24 month period. The documents can include, but are not limited to, utility bills, rent payments, rental agreements, receipts or credit card invoices showing purchases in Louisiana, pay stubs, and sworn statements from others attesting to the residency. This is a illustrative list. Many other documents may suffice. Each student in this situation is reviewed individually based on the information submitted.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS

Q. If a student discovers that he or she used an incorrect social security number on the ACT or SAT test, what can be done to correct this?

A. The student should mail to LOSFA a copy of his or her social security card, along with either a copy of his ACT or SAT test report, or the incorrect social security number used on the ACT/SAT registration. After we have corrected the file, the certification form can be generated for the high school to provide the student's academic information.

Q. If a student discovers that he or she used an incorrect social security number on the FAFSA, what can be done to correct this?

A. LOSFA recommends filing a corrected FAFSA. This is the preferred method of correction because it will ensure that the student will be considered for federal aid. In the alternative, the student may mail a copy of his or her social security card to LOSFA, along with either a copy of his or her ACT or SAT test report, or the incorrect social security number used on the FAFSA. After we have corrected the file, the certification form can be generated for the high school to provide the student's academic information.

TOPS-TECH AWARD

Q. How is the TOPS Tech Award different from the TOPS Award?

A. Most of the requirements are the same as or similar to the TOPS Award. The differences are noted in the answers to the questions. In addition, there are some specific issues this section addresses.

Q. Where can a student use a TOPS Tech Award?

A. The TOPS Tech Award may be used at any eligible postsecondary institution for enrollment in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma that offers such courses. This includes Louisiana Technical College campuses and colleges and universities that are members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Q. Can a student with a TOPS Tech Award use the award to enroll in a nonacademic program at a nonpublic college or university?

A. Yes, if the college or university is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU).

Q. Can a student use a TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors award to attend a technical school?

A. Yes.

Q. How much do the TOPS Tech and TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards pay toward enrollment in a technical program at a public college or university?

A. A student with a TOPS Award will receive an amount equal to full tuition for attendance at a campus of the Louisiana Technical College or a Louisiana public college that offers nonacademic courses. Students with TOPS Performance and Honors also receive their stipend.

Q. Can students with TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards use the award to enroll in a nonacademic program at a nonpublic college or university?

A. Yes. These students could enroll in a regionally accredited independent college or university in Louisiana that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, provided such schools offer a non-academic program.

Q. How much will a TOPS-Tech Award or TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award pay toward enrollment in a technical program at an eligible nonpublic college or university?

A. The TOPS Award paid for these students is the equivalent of the total dollar value of awards made to students enrolled in nonacademic programs and attending public postsecondary institutions in the prior Program Year (Non-Academic Program) divided by the number of full time students receiving these awards. Students with TOPS Performance or Honors Awards will receive their stipend prorated for the number of semesters or terms in the year.

Q. Will a TOPS-Tech Award pay for two technical diplomas?