1. It pays to make good grades!

2. TOPS  The TOPS program was created by the Louisiana legislature in 1997 under the administration of Governor Mike Foster  1998 was the first award year for both 1997 and 1998 graduates  TOPS is funded through the State General Fund and the Millennium Trust Fund  TOPS funds must be appropriated each year by the Legislature

3. TOPS What’s TOPS Worth?  *Based on current figures, a student receiving the TOPS Opportunity Award would receive the following financial benefit over four years:  Nicholls State University $10,712  Louisiana Tech University $12,344  LSU-Baton Rouge$13,976  Univ. of New Orleans $12,912  Southeastern La University $10,904  Southern-Baton Rouge$11,048  UL – Lafayette $10,216  LAICU Schools (private)$10,744  TOPS Performance Award Recipients can add $1,600 to the amounts above  TOPS Honors Award Recipients can add $3,200 to the amounts above  *these figures are using current academic year tuition amounts. This amount is subject to change.

4. TOPS Citizenship  A student must be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident who is eligible to apply for citizenship  A parent or custodian of a dependent student must have been a resident of the state of Louisiana for the 24 months prior to high school graduation; OR  Resident student must have completed final two years in an approved LA high school

5. TOPS Residency: Military Dependents  A member of the U.S. Armed forces, who is transferred to Louisiana under permanent change of station orders may qualify his/her child for TOPS consideration if: They change their military personnel records to establish Louisiana as the member’s official state of residence within 180 days of reporting Submit an Affidavit of Residency and DD Form 2058 Comply with Louisiana income tax laws

6. TOPS Criminal Record  Have no criminal convictions  Excludes misdemeanor traffic violations  A student who has a “final criminal conviction” may not accept a TOPS award

7. TOPS Hurricane Displaced Students  Students affected by Katrina/Rita who graduated from an out-of-state high school in 2007 or 2008 (or will graduate from an out-of-state high school in 2009), may return to Louisiana for their post secondary education and receive a TOPS award under certain conditions  For more information on who is considered a displaced student and the alternate eligibility requirements, go to the LOSFA website, www.osfa.la.gov

8. TOPS Early Admissions  Students entering a college or university under an early admissions program shall be considered first-time freshmen not earlier than the first semester following the academic year in which they graduate from high school

9. TOPS Graduation Year  The annual academic year for high school begins on September 1 and ends on the following August 31 st  Students graduating after August 31 st will be considered, for TOPS purposes, a graduate of the following year  Students who graduate early and are deemed eligible for a TOPS Scholarship at time of graduation may be billed for retroactively

10. TOPS TOPS Core Curriculum  All TOPS core curriculum courses must be completed by the date of high school graduation  Distance learning courses approved by the high school may be used to qualify for TOPS  College courses taken in the classroom, online, or by correspondence may be used to qualify for TOPS provided that they are determined to be equivalent courses and appear on the student’s official high school transcript  Verify college admissions requirements for core curriculum  Admissions requirements may be different from the TOPS Core Curriculum

11. TOPS TOPS Core Curriculum Units 4English I, II, III, IV 1Algebra I 1Algebra II 1Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I or II, Pre- Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III, or AP Calculus 1Biology I or II 1Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com

12. TOPS TOPS Core Curriculum Units 1Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, Physics for Technology, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, AP Physics C: Mechanics, or Agriscience I & II (two units) 1Additional Math or Science: Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I, Advanced Math II, Pre-Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III,AP Calculus AB, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, or AP Physics C: Mechanics

13. TOPS TOPS Core Curriculum Units 1American History 1Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined), Civics, or AP American Government 1World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, or European History 2Foreign Language (2 units in the same language), or American Sign Language I & II 1Fine Arts Survey ½Computer Science

14. TOPS TOPS Core Curriculum GPA  The cumulative grade point average (GPA) for a TOPS award will be calculated on a 4.0 scale using only those grades achieved in the core curriculum courses. For high schools using other grading scales each grade shall be converted to 4.0 scale  TOPS takes the highest grade earned in a core group  “P” grades are not included in the TOPS Core GPA calculation  GPA cannot be rounded up

15. TOPS ACT  ACT Deadlines for 2009 Graduates  Without penalty: April 4, 2009  Loss of one semester eligibility: June 13, 2009 June scores can not be used to upgrade to Opportunity Qualifying score must be earned by July 1 of senior year  Highest composite score will be considered  TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of the ACT in calculating the composite score needed to qualify  ACT Registration  TOPS Code 1595  Social Security Number

16. TOPS SAT  An equivalent SAT score may be substituted for the ACT score  TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of the SAT in calculating the composite score needed to qualify  SAT Test Deadlines  Without Penalty: March 14, 2009  Loss of 1 semester eligibility: May 2, 2009 and June 6, 2009  SAT Registration  Scholarship Code 9019  Social Security Number

17. TOPS Opportunity Award: Eligibility Requirements  Eligibility Requirements  2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale  A minimum score of a 20 on the ACT  940 on the SAT  Complete the 17.5 core curriculum  Award Amounts  Provides an amount equal to tuition at a public college university, or LTC in Louisiana or the states weighted average cost of public tuition to a private LAICU school  Can be used for a maximum of eight semesters or twelve quarters

18. TOPS LAICU SCHOOLS Centenary College Dillard University Louisiana College Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Our Lady of Holy Cross College Our Lady of the Lake College St. Joseph Seminary College Tulane University Xavier University *TOPS is covering an amount of $1343/semester this academic year plus any applicable stipends

19. TOPS Performance Award  Eligibility Requirements  3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale  A minimum score of 23 on the ACT  1050 on the SAT  Completion of the 17.5 core curriculum  Award Amounts  Amount equal to the TOPS Opportunity Award plus an additional $400 annual stipend  Can be used for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters

20. TOPS Honors Award  Eligibility Requirements  3.00 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale  A minimum score of 27 on the ACT  1220 on the SAT  Completion of the 17.5 core curriculum  Award Amounts  Amount equal to the TOPS Opportunity Award plus an additional $800 annual stipend  Can be used for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters

21. TOPS TOPS Tech Award  Eligibility Requirements  2.50 core curriculum GPA on a 4.00 scale  A minimum score of 17 on the ACT  810 on the SAT  Completion of one of the Tech Core Option curriculums or the OPH curriculum  Award Amounts  Amount equal to full time tuition at any LA Technical college or community college offering a two year Tech diploma/certificate. Or the weighted amount at participating public 4 year schools or private schools  Can be used for a maximum of 2 years/4 semesters

22. TOPS TOPS Alternate Eligibility  Students who graduate from a Louisiana public or approved private high school MAY NOT qualify using alternate eligibility  Expanded eligibility groups:  Students who complete a BESE approved home study program must earn 2 points higher on the ACT for their corresponding award  Students graduating from approved out of state/country high schools must earn 3 points higher on the ACT for their corresponding award

23. TOPS TOPS Application FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov Students are applying for all state/federal aid TOPS Online Application – www.osfa.la.gov May only be completed by students who can certify that they do not qualify for federal grant aid In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS Online Application will be the first to lose their TOPS award Do not complete if you have completed the FAFSA

24. TOPS FAFSA KEY POINTS Applications are available January 1 st of the students senior year Provide correct student data Social Security Number Home Address Selective Service if applicable Select that you wish to be considered for loans and grants Be prepared to provide financial information Sign Application -both parent and student

25. TOPS Application Deadlines: 2009 Graduates Initial Application Receipt Date Receives TOPS funding for: Jan. 1 – July 1, 20098 semesters (12 quarters) Beginning 2009-2010 July 2, 2009 – July 1, 20108 semesters (12 quarters) Beginning Fall 2010 July 2, 2010 – Aug. 29, 20107 semesters (10 quarters) Beginning Fall 2010 Aug. 30, 2010 – Oct. 29, 2010 6 semesters (9 quarters) Beginning Fall 2010 Initial Applications Received After October 29, 2010 Ineligible for TOPS Students who attended the 2009-2010 academic year who apply for TOPS between July 2, 2009 and October 29, 2010 must also have met the TOPS retention requirements to be eligible for TOPS funding at the beginning in the Fall 2010 semester

26. TOPS TOPS Award Letter  Students eligible for a TOPS award will be notified by means of an official award letter from LOSFA  Students have one year in which to enroll in a Louisiana approved post-secondary institution  TOPS recipients should familiarize themselves with the Rights and Responsibilities included with their award letter  Students can check their TOPS award status online by creating a TOPS Portal Account at www.osfa.state.la.us after May 1 st  TOPS recipients are personally responsible for knowing and complying with the TOPS continuation requirements

27. TOPS Award Acceptance  Must enter an eligible institution as a full-time student by the first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation  Military Students – join the Armed Forces on active duty within one year of high school and must return by the fall following the 5 th anniversary of high school graduation with honorable discharge  TOPS Recipients serving in the National Guard will receive the tuition exemption equal to the TOPS award amount; any applicable TOPS stipends, plus $300 annually for books and supplies

28. TOPS Award Acceptance: Returning Out-of-State Students  A TOPS eligible student who enrolls as a first-time full-time freshman at an out-of-state institution may return to Louisiana and accept their TOPS award if they have met the following conditions:  Must have first enrolled in the out-of-state institution no later than fall semester following the students one year anniversary of high school graduation  Must have met all program continuation requirements while out of state  Must apply for reinstatement by July 1 following the academic year in which the student returns to Louisiana  TOPS eligibility will be reduced by the number of semesters attended out-of-state

29. TOPS Graduate Study  Any Opportunity, Performance or Honors award recipient who successfully completes an academic undergraduate degree in less than eight semesters or 12 quarters of award benefits, may receive their award for any remaining semesters or quarters of eligibility for graduate study  Student must pursue a postgraduate academic degree at an eligible institution  Must continue to meet all TOPS retention requirements  The amount of the award will be equal to graduate tuition at their school or the equivalent of LSU-BR under graduate tuition, whichever is less. Students will also receive their stipends if applicable.

30. TOPS TOPS Retention: Credit Hours  Must maintain continuous full time enrollment and earn 24 credit hours each academic year  Hours earned in summer session, intersession or advanced placement may not be used towards the 24 annual hours required  Earned hours are hours successfully completed with a passing grade  LOSFA can grant an exception in certain situations  TOPS GPA Requirements  Opportunity Award:2.30 first academic year 2.50 all subsequent years  Performance Award:3.00  Honors Award:3.00  Students falling below 3.0 would revert to Opportunity  Tech Award:2.50  Students are encouraged to renew their FAFSA each year

31. TOPS Contact LOSFA www.osfa.la.gov custserv@osfa.la.gov (800) 259-5626 Ext. 1012 (225) 922-1012 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday