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TOPS Scholarship Program
The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a state scholarship program that helps Louisiana residents pay for college. It is a merit‑based program, which means students qualify based on their academic performance.
To receive TOPS, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet the Louisiana residency rules set by the state. Students must also complete all required TOPS high school courses and earn the minimum core GPA and ACT composite score needed for the award.
TOPS is not determined by Delgado Community College. The program is managed and awarded by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
Applying for TOPS
- Submit your FAFSA or LOSFA TOPS Online Application application by July 1 each year.
- After you graduate from high school, you will receive an official letter from LOSFA in late summer explaining your TOPS status.
TOPS Award Levels
TOPS Tech Award
- Covers full-time tuition only; fees are not covered.
- Eligible for up to 2 academic years.
- General Studies and Louisiana Transfer Degree programs are not eligible.
- Registered Nursing is an eligible program for students who graduated high school after 2016.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of each Spring semester.
- Must complete 24 earned credit hours each academic year.
TOPS Opportunity Award
- Covers full-time tuition only; fees are not covered.
- Eligible for up to 4 academic years.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of each Spring semester.
- Must complete 24 earned credit hours each academic year.
TOPS Performance Award
- Covers full-time tuition plus a $400 annual stipend.
- Eligible for up to 4 academic years.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of each Spring semester.
- If the GPA falls below 3.0 but remains eligible for TOPS, the award may revert to TOPS Opportunity status.
- Must complete 24 earned credit hours each academic year.
TOPS Honors Award
- Covers full-time tuition plus an $800 annual stipend.
- Eligible for up to 4 academic years.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of each Spring semester.
- If the GPA falls below 3.0 but remains eligible for TOPS, the award may revert to TOPS Opportunity status.
- Must complete 24 earned credit hours each academic year.
TOPS Excellence Award
- Covers full-time tuition and mandatory fees.
- Eligible for up to 4 academic years.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of each Spring semester.
- If the GPA falls below 3.0 but remains eligible for TOPS, the award may revert to TOPS Opportunity status.
- Must complete 24 earned credit hours each academic year.
Maintainng TOPS
To maintain TOPS, students must meet the following rules each semester:
- Be enrolled full‑time by the 15th day of class
- Earn 24 credit hours each academic year (fall, winter session, spring, spring intersession, and summer)
- Stay continuously enrolled in fall and spring semesters
- Maintain the required GPA for their specific TOPS award
- Have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of fall, intersession, or summer
LOSFA reviews your TOPS GPA at the end of each summer semester:
- Fewer than 24 hours earned: 2.0 GPA
- 24–47 hours earned: 2.3 GPA
- 48 or more hours earned: 2.5 GPA
- Excellence, Performance, or Honors recipients: 3.0 GPA