TOPS and Other State Programs

Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

TOPS is a comprehensive program of state scholarships for students from the State of Louisiana. TOPS has three award levels with different selection criteria and retention requirements:

*12 credit hours and is subject to change

TOPS Scholarships are awarded by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). Student must complete the FAFSA or the LOSFA application by July 1 each year.  LSUS receives notification of a student's award from LOSFA on the TOPS Master Roster. The Master Roster is downloaded and eligible students are given credit for 12 hours of covered tuition and fees once they’ve registered for classes. LSUS usually receives the TOPS Master Roster around mid-June. 

TOPS Renewal Requirements

LSUS submits your grades at the end of fall and spring semesters to LOSFA to determine your TOPS eligibility. 

Special Notes about TOPS

• Students may file a TOPS Exception Form to appeal a TOPS cancellation or suspension. Exception forms should be sent directly to LOSFA.
• TOPS can must 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.
• Louisiana National Guard members are entitled to a tuition waiver and TOPS will provide $300 per semester ($600 per year).  In addition, students who have TOPS Performance and TOPS Honors will receive their stipend. 
• Mid-year transfer students should reach out to the financial aid office if your TOPS isn’t applied to your account.

State of Louisiana Go Grant

The State of Louisiana provides a need-based component to the state's financial aid programs to support non-traditional and low to moderate-income students.  Awards range from $300 to $3,000. 

State of Louisiana Eligibility Requirements

• Louisiana resident
• filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• receiving a Federal Pell Grant
• have remaining financial need after deducting the Student Aid Index (SAI) and all federal/state/institutional grant or scholarship aid from the student's Cost of Attendance (COA)
• be enrolled in at least 6 hours or halfitme.

LSUS Eligibility Requirements

• Awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis based on the date of a complete financial aid file.  A complete file contains a FAFSA Summary Report and the verification process completed if required.  The FAFSA Summary Report is the result of the student filing the FAFSA.
• LSUS monitors the awarding to insure that at least 30% of the students awarded are 24 years of age or older.

Maximum Award Amounts

Students are initially awarded a full-time award.  Award will be adjusted before disbursement and will be based on the student's actual enrollment on the census date for a semester or term.  NOTE:  If a student is awarded less than the maximum award and they are enrolled half-time, their award will be prorated.

Geaux Teach Scholarship

The Geaux Teach Scholarship is a state-funded initiative designed to encourage and support Louisiana residents pursuing a career in education. The Geaux Teach Scholarship program is administered by LOSFA and LSUS.

State of Louisiana Eligibility Criteria: 

• Must complete Geaux Teach online application.
• Must be a legal resident of the state of Louisiana for at least two full years prior to July 1 immediately preceding the academic year in which student will enroll.
• S. citizen, and if required registered with Selective Service.
• Enrolled or accepted into an approved educator preparation program or alternative certification teaching program.
• Undergraduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale. Applicant must be enrolled as full-time students at census date during each term for which they receive the scholarship in the teacher preparatory program. Alternative certification program students do not have to be fulltime.  In those instance, the tuition amount will be prorated to reflect the number of hours the student is enrolled.
• File a FAFSA or complete the Geaux Teach residency affidavit if residency cannot be established through the FAFSA.

Award Amounts:

• Minimum Semester Award .............................. $100
• Maximum Semester Award…Tuition & Fees listed on fee bill less any state and institutional scholarships/aid, not to exceed $5,000.
• Maximum Annual Amount is $5,000

Application Process:

• Submit the Geaux Teach Scholarship application through the LOSFA online application portal by the specified deadline.
• LSUS College of Education will determine recipients.
• LSUS Financial Aid office will determine the award amounts based on the above criteria.
• LSUS Financial Aid Office will check enrollment at Census Date to insure eligibility.

Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship

The Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees not included by the National Guard Tuition Exemption Program. The Patriot Scholarship will be applied to eligible students upon request on their Veterans Certification form.  For more information, please contact veterans@LSUS.edu or 318.798.4130.