To assure that your Scholarship and Grant Policy and Procedure Manual remains current, please record this document on your TOPS Bulletin index and retain it with your manual.

In compliance with recent legislative acts, the scholarship/grant rules of the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission, (Louisiana Administrative Code Title 28, Part IV) have been revised to extend waivers for TOPS core curriculum courses from the 1999-2000 through the 2002-2003 high school year, provide TOPS eligibility to certain dependent students who graduate from high school or complete home study outside the United States, provide eligibility for the Performance award to certain students with a minimum 24 ACT who complete at least ten high school honors courses and earn a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average, to lower the minimum ACT composite score requirement for TOPS-TECH from 19 to 17, provide a new core curriculum for the TOPS-Tech award and to make technical corrections.

The full compilation of the TOPS rules with all changes incorporated to date may be viewed on our website at www.osfa.state.la.us. The revisions follow:

§103. Purpose

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D. LAC 28:IV shall be amended and updated as necessary. Such updates will be forwarded to institutions in the form of Scholarship and Grant Program Memoranda (SGPM), or Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Bulletins. SGPM These Memoranda and bulletins will cover additions, deletions, revisions and clarifications to the rules and regulations. In compliance with Act 1302 of the 1999 Regular Session of the Legislature, SGPM information shall be mailed to the President and Superintendent of each City and Parish School Board in the State, the principal and counselors of each high school in the state for distribution to all high school counselors at each high school, the Chancellor, Director of Financial Aid, and Business Office, Auditor and Registrar of each public postsecondary school in the state, and the Chancellor, Director of Financial Aid, and Business Office at each regionally accredited independent college or university in this state which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

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Chapter 3. Definitions

§301. Definitions

Where the masculine is used, in these rules, it includes the feminine, and vice versa; where the singular is used, it includes the plural, and vice versa.

* * *

Average Award Amount — for those students with a TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award attending a regionally accredited independent college or university in this state which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the average maximum tuition, as determined by the agency, charged to full time students attending public postsecondary institutions for technical training that offer a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree.

Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech) — for those students with the TOPS-Tech Award attending an eligible college or university that offers an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the total dollar value of awards made under TOPS-Tech in the prior academic year to students attending public colleges and universities that do not offer academic degrees at the baccalaureate level, divided by the total number of students that received the awards.

* * *

Award Amount — an amount equal to Tuition at the school attended, for those students attending a Louisiana public college or university, as determined by the commission, which may be used by the student to pay any educational expense included in that student's "Cost of Attendance." For purposes of a TOPS award for a student enrolled in a Louisiana professional school shall be equal to the tuition charged for a student while pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the highest cost public school or the Weighted Average Award Amount, depending upon whether the Louisiana professional school is a public or private school.

The amount paid for TOPS and TOPS-Tech Awards shall be as follows:

a. For students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a Louisiana public college or university and enrolled in an academic degree program, the amount shall equal the actual cost of tuition.

b. For students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a regionally accredited independent college or university in Louisiana that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and enrolled in an academic degree program, the amount shall equal the Weighted Average Award Amount.

c. For students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a Louisiana public college or university and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the actual cost of tuition.

d. For students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a regionally accredited independent college or university in Louisiana that is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the Average Award Amount.

e. For students with the TOPS-Tech Award attending an eligible public college or university that does not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the actual cost of tuition.

f. For students with a TOPS-Tech Award attending an Eligible College or University that offers an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech).

g. For students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award enrolled in a Louisiana professional school, the amount shall be equal to the tuition charged for a student while pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the highest cost public school or the Weighted Average Award Amount, depending upon whether the Louisiana professional school is a public or private school.

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College/University Cumulative Grade Point Average — the calculation of grade point average by a Reporting Institution for all courses taken at postsecondary institutions to determine whether a student has maintained Steady Academic Progress and whether a student has met the minimum grade point average required to maintain eligibility for continuation of a TOPS Award. The cumulative grade point average must be calculated on a 4.00 scale and must include all courses from all postsecondary institutions attended for which a student has been awarded a grade. Courses taken at a college or university other than the Reporting Institution while the student was still in high school and at postsecondary institutions other than the Reporting Institution must be included in the calculation, even if the Reporting Institution does not recognize the course(s) for graduation purposes. Courses taken on a pass/fail basis are not considered in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.

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Eligible Non-Louisiana High School and Eligible Out of State High School and Eligible Out of Country High School — See §1701.A.3., and 1701.A.4., and 1701.A.5., respectively.

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High School Graduate — for the purposes of these rules, is defined as a student certified by award of a high school diploma to have satisfactorily completed the required units at a high school meeting the eligibility requirements of these rules or a student who has completed at least the final two years of a BESE-approved home study program in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter and has reported such to BESE. A student who graduates at any time during an Academic Year (High School) shall be deemed to have graduated on May 31st of that year for the purpose of applying deadlines. For the purposes purpose of determining when a student must begin postsecondary enrollment, all students that report completion of an approved home study course program to BESE during an Academic year (High School) are deemed to have graduated on May 31st of that year.

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Legal Guardian — 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. Also referred to as a court ordered custodian.

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Louisiana Resident —

a. any independent student or any dependent student with at least one parent or legal guardian court appointed custodian who has resided in the state for a minimum of 24 consecutive months immediately preceding a certain date or the date of a specified event that is further defined by the programs found in Part IV of these rules, the month of high school graduation or the month of May in the Academic Year (High School) that a student completes a home study program or some other period of residency which is required to qualify the person for a specific program administered by the LASFAC. To qualify for a program under Part IV of these rules, in addition to the certification of residency found on the application form, the administering agency may require an independent student applicant or the parent(s) or legal guardian of a dependent student applicant to show proof of residency. Residency may be established by completion of a standard affidavit developed by the administering agency. Such affidavits must be completed in their entirety by the independent student applicant or by at least one parent or legal guardian of the dependent student applicant and be sworn to and notarized by a licensed notary public. Further, the affiant shall be required to submit records in support of the affidavit to include the following records and such other records as may be required by the administering agency:

i. if registered to vote, a Louisiana voters registration card; and

ii. if licensed to drive a motor vehicle, a Louisiana driver's license; and

iii. if owning a motor vehicle located in Louisiana, a Louisiana registration for that vehicle; and

iv. if earning a reportable income, a Louisiana tax return.

b. any member of the Armed Forces on active duty who is a resident of Louisiana as demonstrated by the member's DD Form 2058 validated by the member's military personnel officer, whose official military personnel or pay records show that the member claims Louisiana as his home of record, and who has filed a Louisiana tax return for the most recent two years in compliance with a.iv, above.

c. any member of the Armed Forces who is stationed in Louisiana under permanent change of station orders and who, not later than sixty days after reporting to such station, changes his military personnel records DD Form 2058 to reflect Louisiana as his state of legal residence, to establish Louisiana as his official home of record, and complies with all Louisiana income tax laws and regulations while stationed in Louisiana. A copy of a completed residency affidavit, a copy of the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders, and a DD Form 2058 validated by the member's military personnel officer and showing Louisiana as the member's state of legal residence, must be submitted to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) 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.

d. a parent or court-ordered custodian who is living outside the United States and its territories, is actively engaged in work or another activity on behalf of a Louisiana employer or sponsor, and is not on active duty with the United States armed forces, may meet the residency requirement for dependent students by providing a sworn affidavit with supporting evidence that the parent or court-ordered custodian complies with all of the following:

(i) was a resident of Louisiana who actually lived in Louisiana for at least the twenty-four months preceding the date he started the work or activity outside the United States and its territories.

(ii) was assigned duties outside the United States and its territories by a Louisiana employer or sponsor and continues to be employed by the employer or perform duties for the sponsor through the date of the student's graduation from high school or completion of a home study program approved by BESE.

(iii) has remained a resident of Louisiana through the date of the student's graduation from high school or completion of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Evidence may include a Louisiana voters registration card, a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana registration for an owned vehicle, a Louisiana tax return, notarized affidavits, copies of correspondence from the employer or sponsor providing the reason for living outside the United States and its territories and the time period of the work or activity, copies of visas, copies of foreign housing documentation, and copies of other documents that demonstrate a presence in Louisiana or a foreign country during the required period of time.

* * *

Reporting Institution — The postsecondary institution required by Section 1903.A of these rules to report a student's College/University Cumulative Grade Point Average.

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Tuition — the fee charged each student by a postsecondary institution to cover the student's share of the cost of instruction, including all other mandatory enrollment fees charged to all students, except for the Technology Fee authorized by Act 1450 of the 1997 Regular Session of the Legislature, which were in effect as of January 1, 1998, and any changes in the cost of instruction authorized by the legislature and implemented by the institution after that date. Tuition for purposes of a TOPS award for a student enrolled in a Louisiana professional school shall be equal to the tuition charged for a student while pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the highest cost public school or the Weighted Average Award Amount, depending upon whether the Louisiana professional school is a public or private school.

* * *

Weighted Average Award Amount — for those students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a regionally accredited independent college or university in this state which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and enrolled in an academic program, the total dollar value of awards made under TOPS in the prior academic year, excluding award stipends, to students attending public colleges and universities that offer academic degrees at the baccalaureate level, divided by the total number of students that received the awards.

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Chapter 7. Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards

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§703. Establishing Eligibility

A. To establish eligibility for a TOPS Opportunity, Performance or Honors Award, the student applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

* * *

2. be a resident of Louisiana, as defined in §301 of LAC 28:IV for not less than two years prior to the date of high school graduation, or if completing an approved home study program, no less than two years prior to the FAFSA processor receipt date; and

* * *

4. initially apply and enroll as a First-Time Freshman as defined in §301, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, in an eligible postsecondary institution college or university defined in §1901 §301, and:

a. if graduating from an eligible Louisiana public or BESE approved nonpublic high school or an eligible non-Louisiana high school or from an eligible out of country high school, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school; or

b. if the student joins the United States Armed Forces within one year after graduating from an approved high school an eligible Louisiana or an eligible non-Louisiana high school or from an eligible out of country high school, enroll not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school or within one year from the date of discharge, whichever is earlier; or

c. if the student is eligible under the provisions of §703.A.5.c §703.A.5.d or f, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the receipt date on the initial FAFSA submitted by the student of the date the student completes the home study program, which is deemed to be May 31st; or

d. if the student is eligible under the provisions of §703.A.5.c §703.A.5.d or f and has joined and is on active duty with the United States Armed Forces within one year of completion of the twelfth grade of an approved home study program, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the approved home study program or within one year from the date of discharge, whichever is earlier; or

* * *

5. a. graduate from an eligible a BESE-approved, provisionally-approved, or probationally-approved public or nonpublic Louisiana high school or eligible non-Louisiana high school as defined in §1703.A.3 §1701.A.1, 2, or 3; and

i. at the time of high school graduation, an applicant must have successfully completed 16.5 units of high school course work constituting a core curriculum as follows:

Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV
1	Algebra I (one unit) or Applied Algebra 1A and 1B (two units)
1	Algebra II
1	Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus or comparable Advanced Mathematics
1	Biology
1	Chemistry
1	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology
1	American History
1	World History, Western Civilization or World Geography
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined) or Civics (one unit, nonpublic)
1	Fine Arts Survey; (or substitute two units performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or two units of studio art or visual art; or one elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum)
2	In a single Foreign Language, both units in the same language (one unit or credit for three or more hours of college foreign language for students graduating from high school during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years)
½	Computer Science, Computer Literacy or Business Computer Applications (or substitute at least one-half unit of an elective course related to computers that is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE); or substitute at least one-half unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum); BESE has approved the following courses as computer related for purposes of satisfying the ½ unit computer science requirement for all schools (courses approved by BESE for individual schools are not included): Computer /Technology Applications (1 credit) Computer Architecture (1 credit) Computer/Technology Literacy (½ credit) Computer Science I (1 credit) Computer Science II (1 credit) Computer Systems and Networking I (1 credit) Computer Systems and Networking II (1 credit) Desktop Publishing (½ credit) Digital Graphics & Animation (½ credit) Multimedia Productions (1 credit) Web Mastering (½ credit) Independent Study in Technology Applications (1 credit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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b. graduate from an eligible a BESE approved, provisionally-approved or probationally-approved public or nonpublic Louisiana high school or eligible non-Louisiana high school as defined in §1701.A.3. and have completed the core curriculum defined in §703.A.5.a.i., unless the following exceptions apply:

i. for students in graduating classes prior to the year 2001 2004, one or more core units are waived based upon a sworn affidavit by the principal or headmaster or authorized designee that the course was not available to the student at the school attended;

ii. for a Disabled Student or an Exceptional Child, as defined in §301, who have met the criteria set forth in §2115, one or more core units are waived; or

iii. for students graduating in academic years 1996-97 and 1997-98, have successfully completed all requirements of the core curriculum except Foreign Language, and have successfully completed at least one unit of high school Foreign Language or three credit hours of Foreign Language in a postsecondary institution and have forwarded to LASFAC a transcript from the institution showing successful completion of at least three credit hours of Foreign Language; or

* * *

e. graduate from a high school defined in §1701.A.5 or successfully complete at the twelfth grade level a home study program approved by BESE and conducted outside the United States and its territories;

f. successfully complete a minimum of ten units in honors curriculum courses graded on a 5.0 scale at and graduate from an eligible public or nonpublic Louisiana high school or non-Louisiana high school defined in §1701.A.1, 2, or 3. and have completed the core curriculum defined in §703.A.5.a.i. and

6. Have achieved an ACT Score, as defined in §301 of at least:

* * *

c. if qualifying under §703.A.5.e; which is limited to the Opportunity Award only; the state's reported prior year average plus 3 points, rounded, but never less than 22;

d. if qualifying under §703.A.5.f; which is limited to the Performance Award only; a 24; and

* * *

B. Students qualifying:

1. under §§703.A.5.a and b §703.A.5.a and b, must have attained a cumulative high school grade point average, based on a 4.00 maximum scale, for all courses attempted of at least:

1. a. a 2.50 for the Opportunity Award; or

2. b. a 3.50 for the Performance of or Honors Awards.

2. under §703.A.5.f and graduating in the 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003 school years, must have attained a cumulative high school grade point average, based on a 4.00 maximum scale, of at least a 3.00 for the Performance Award.

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§705. Maintaining Eligibility

A. To continue receiving the TOPS Opportunity, Performance or Honors Awards, the recipient must meet all of the following criteria:

* * *

6. continue to enroll and accept the TOPS award as a full-time undergraduate student in an Eligible postsecondary institution College or University defined in §1901 §301, and maintain an enrolled status throughout the academic term, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC; and

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Chapter 8. TOPS-TECH Award

§801. General Provisions

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B. Description, History and Purpose. The TOPS-TECH award is a merit based scholarship program for Louisiana residents pursuing skill, occupational training, or technical training at a Louisiana public community or technical college Eligible Colleges and Universities that offers offer a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree. The purpose of TOPS-TECH is to provide an incentive for qualified Louisiana residents to prepare for and pursue technical positions in Louisiana.

* * *

D. TOPS-TECH provides an amount equal to tuition for up to two years of technical training at a public postsecondary institution that offers a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree Award as follows:

1. For any student attending an eligible public college or university that does not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher, the amount shall equal the actual cost of tuition.

2. For any student attending an Eligible College or University other than as provided for in Subsection D.1 above, the amount shall be the Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech) defined in §301.

* * *

§803. Establishing Eligibility

A. To establish eligibility for the TOPS-TECH Award, the student applicant must meet the following criteria:

* * *

2. be a resident of Louisiana, as defined in §301 of LAC 28:IV, for not less than two years prior to the date of high school graduation, or if completing an approved home study program, no less than two years prior to the FAFSA processor receipt date; and

3. submit the completed initial Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal FAFSA by the applicable state aid deadline in accordance with the requirements of section 503; and

4. initially apply and enroll in a technical program as a First-Time Freshman, as defined in §301, in a public community or Louisiana Technical College, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, not later than the term or semester excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school or, if the student joins the United States Armed Forces within one year after graduating from high school, has enrolled in such eligible institution as a first-time freshman not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school; and

4. initially apply and enroll as a First-Time Freshman as defined in §301, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, in an eligible postsecondary college or university defined in §301, and:

a. if graduating from an eligible Louisiana or an eligible non-Louisiana high school or from an eligible out of country high school, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school; or

b. if the student joins the United States Armed Forces within one year after graduating from an eligible Louisiana or an eligible non-Louisiana high school or from an eligible out of country high school, enroll not later than the semester, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date that the student graduated from high school or within one year from the date of discharge, whichever is earlier; or

c. if the student is eligible under the provisions of §803.A.5.d, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date the student completed the home study program, which is deemed to be May 31st; or

d. if the student is eligible under the provisions of §803.A.5.d and has joined and is on active duty with the United States Armed Forces within one year of the date the student completed the home study program, which is deemed to be May 31st, enroll not later than the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the fifth anniversary of the date the student completed the home study program, or within one year from the date of discharge, whichever is earlier; and

5. graduate from:

a. an eligible a BESE-approved, provisionally-approved, or probationally-approved public or nonpublic high school or eligible non-Louisiana high school, as defined in §1701.A.1, 2 and 3; or

b. an out-of-state high school defined in §1701.A.4; or

c. an out of country high school defined in §1701.A.5; or

c. successfully complete the eleventh and twelfth grades of a home study program approved by BESE; and if having previously attended a Louisiana public high school, a Louisiana nonpublic high school, or an approved non-Louisiana high school, has provided LASFAC with certification by the previously attended high school that said student was in good standing at the time the student last attended such school;

d. i. successfully complete at the twelfth grade level a home study program approved by BESE; or ii. if ever was enrolled in a Louisiana public or nonpublic school approved by BESE, successfully completed at least the eleventh and twelfth grade levels of a home study program approved by BESE; and iii. if having previously attended an eligible high school defined in §1701A1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, has provided LASFAC with certification by the previously attended high school that said student was in good standing at the time the student last attended such school;

6. if qualifying under the terms of §703.A.5.a §803.B.5.a, at the time of high school graduation,:

a. have successfully completed one of the following core curriculums:

(i) 16.5 units of high school course work constituting the TOPS core curriculum as defined in §703.A.5.; or

(ii) For students graduating in the 2000-2001 school year and thereafter, the high school course work constituting the following TOPS-TECH core curriculum:

Core Curriculum—TOPS-TECH Award:

Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV or substitute one unit of Business English.
1	Algebra I; or both Algebra I, Part 1 and Algebra I, Part 2; or both Applied Mathematics I and Applied Mathematics II.
2	Geometry, Applied Mathematics III, Algebra II, Financial Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics I, Advanced Mathematics II, Discrete Mathematics, or Probability and Statistics (two units). Integrated Mathematics I, II, and III may be substituted for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, and shall be considered the equivalent of the three required math units.
1	Biology.
1	Chemistry or Applied Chemistry.
1	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Integrated Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or Physics for Technology.
1	American History.
1	World History, Western Civilization, or World Geography.
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined) or Civics (one unit, nonpublic).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining core courses shall be selected from one of the following options:

OPTION 1	Total of 17 units
1	Fine Arts Survey or substitute two units of performance courses in music, dance, or theater; or substitute two units of visual art courses; or substitute two units of studio art courses; or a course from the career and technical program of studies that is approved by the BESE (must be listed under the Vocational Education Course Offerings in Bulletin 741 or the updates to Bulletin 741); or substitute one unit as an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum
2	Foreign Language, Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II
1	One unit from the secondary computer education program of studies that is approved by the BESE
OR
OPTION 2	Total of 19 Units
4	In a career major comprised of a sequence of related specialty courses. In order for a student to use this option, the courses for the career major must be approved by the BESE.
1	Credit in a basic computer course.
1	In related or technical fields. A related course includes any course which is listed under the student's major. A technical course includes computer courses and courses listed as Technology Education courses listed under the Vocational Education Course Offerings in Bulletin 741 or the updates to Bulletin 741.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or

(iii) For students graduating through the 2000-2001 school year, the TOPS-TECH core curriculum as follows:

a. Core Curriculum—TOPS-TECH Award:

Units	Course
1	English I
1	English II
1	English III
1	English IV or Business English
1	Algebra I (one unit) or Applied Algebra IA and 1B (two units)
1	Algebra II
1	Geometry or Applied Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus or comparable Advanced Mathematics
1	Biology
1	Chemistry or Applied Physics
1	Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry II , Physics, Physics II or Physics for Technology
1	American History
1	World History, Western Civilization or World Geography
1	Civics and Free Enterprise (one unit combined) or Civics (one unit, non-public)
1	Fine Arts Survey or 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; (or substitute two units of performance courses in music, dance or theater; or two units of studio art or two units of visual art courses; or one elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum)
2	In a single Foreign Language. (one unit for students graduating from high school during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 school years.) or Technical Writing, Speech I or Speech II (two units).
½	Computer Science, Computer Literacy or Business Computer Applications (or substitute at least one-half unit of an elective course related to computers that is approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education; or substitute at least one-half unit of an elective from among the other subjects listed in this core curriculum)

b. for students in graduating classes prior to 2001 2004, core units may be waived upon sworn affidavit by the principal or headmaster or authorized designee that the course was not available to the student at the school attended;

* * *

7. have achieved an ACT Score, as defined in §301, of at least:

a. if qualifying under §703.A.5.a §803.A.5.a, the state's reported prior year average an ACT composite score, rounded, but never less than 19 of at least 17;

b. if qualifying under §703.A.5.b, c, d, or e §803.A.5.b, c, or d, the state's reported prior year average an ACT composite score, rounded, plus 3 points, but never less than 22 of at least 20; and

8. if qualifying under §703.A.5.a §803.A.5.a, have attained a cumulative high school grade point average, based on a 4.00 maximum scale, for all courses attempted of at least 2.50; and

* * *

§805. Maintaining Eligibility

A. To continue receiving the TOPS-TECH Award, the recipient must meet all of the following criteria:

* * *

6. continue to enroll and accept the TECH award as a full-time student in an eligible postsecondary institution college or university defined in §1901 §301, and maintain an enrolled status throughout the school term, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC; and

* * *

Chapter 9. TOPS Teacher Award

§901. General Provisions

* * *

B. Description, History and Purpose. The Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Teacher Award:

1. annually provides approximately 90 competitively awarded educational loans to residents of Louisiana who commit to teach at the elementary or secondary school level in Louisiana. When the recipient teaches at an approved school in Louisiana, the loans are forgiven in the ratio of one year of loan forgiveness for each year of teacher teaching, or two years of loan forgiveness for each year of teaching in an elementary or secondary school which is located in an economically disadvantaged region of the state as defined by the U. S. Department of Education;

* * *

C. Award Amounts

1. Loans are made in the amount of up to $6,000 per award year for mathematics and chemistry majors.

2. Loans are made in the amount of up to $4,000 per year for teacher education majors other than those listed in §901.C.1.

* * *

§911. Discharge of Obligation

* * *

B. Discharging the loan by teaching fulfillment is accomplished by:

* * *

3. the first two full semesters of full-time teaching will be applied toward of the earliest dated disbursement not previously paid under §911.C, the second two full semesters the next earliest dated disbursement, and continuing until all disbursements have been fulfilled;

* * *

§1303. Establishing Eligibility

LEAP applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

* * *

7. be certified as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program at an eligible postsecondary institution, as defined in §1901; and either:

a. be enrolled full time at the time of disbursement if disbursement occurs on or prior to at the end of the fourteenth class day (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech); or

b. be enrolled full time as of at the end of the fourteenth class day (ninth class day at Louisiana Tech) and is enrolled at least half-time at the time of disbursement if disbursement occurs after the fourteenth class day (ninth class day at Louisiana Tech); and

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Chapter 17. Responsibilities of High Schools, School Boards, Special School Governing Boards, the Louisiana Department of Education and LASFAC on Behalf of Eligible Non-Louisiana High Schools

§1701. Eligibility of Graduates Based Upon the High School Attended

A. Graduates of the following high schools are eligible to participate in LASFAC's Scholarship and Grant programs, as authorized herein:

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5. Out of Country High Schools - All other public or non-public high schools located outside the United States or the territories of the United States that meet the standards adopted by BESE for approval of nonpublic schools in Louisiana and which are accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education.

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§1703. High School's Certification of Student Achievement

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B. Procedures for Reporting and Certifying Student Performance

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2. The certification form shall contain, but is not limited to, the following reportable data elements:

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d. through the graduating class of the Academic Year (High School) 1999-2000 2002-2003, number of core units earned and the number of core units unavailable to the student at the school attended;. After the graduating class of the Academic Year (High School) 1999-2000 2002-2003, core unit requirements may not be waived.

e. total number of graduates in the graduating class and the names of those students who graduated in the top 5 percent of the class in accordance with '1703.B.4.a.

Chapter 19. Eligibility and Responsibilities of Postsecondary Institutions

§1901. Eligibility of Postsecondary Institutions to Participate

A. Undergraduate degree granting schools which are components of Louisiana public university medical centers and two- and four-year public colleges and universities are authorized to participate in the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), TOPS-TECH, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program and the T. H. Harris Scholarship.

B. Regionally accredited private colleges and universities which are members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. (LAICU) are authorized to participate in TOPS (for both academic programs and programs for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree), TOPS-TECH, and LEAP. As of April 2000, LAICU membership included Centenary College, Dillard University, Louisiana College, Loyola University, New Orleans Theological Seminary, Our Lady of the Lake College of Nursing and Allied Health, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, St. Joseph Seminary College, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane University, and Xavier University.

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§1903. Responsibilities of Postsecondary Institutions

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B. Program Billing. Each term, institutions shall bill LASFAC for students who are recipients of a TOPS Award and who have enrolled at the institution in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

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2. institutions will bill LASFAC based on their certification that the recipient of a TOPS Award is enrolled full-time, as defined in §301, as at the end of the fourteenth class day (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech, first class day for campuses of Louisiana Technical College, and for any qualifying summer sessions as at the end of the last day to drop and receive a full refund for the full summer session). Institutions shall not bill for students who are enrolled less than full-time on at the end of the fourteenth class day (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech, first class day for campuses of Louisiana Technical College, and for any qualifying summer sessions as at the end of the last day to drop and receive a full refund for the summer session), unless the student qualifies for payment for less than full-time enrollment as defined in §2103.B. Students failing to meet the full-time enrollment requirement are responsible for reimbursing the institution for any awards received. Refunds of awards to students who are not receiving federal Title IV aid, for less than full-time enrollment after the fourteenth class day, shall be returned to the state. Refunds to students who are receiving federal Title IV aid shall be refunded to the state in accordance with the institution's federal Title IV aid refund procedures; and

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8. upon the school's certification that a recipient of a TOPS-TECH Award is enrolled full-time, institutions shall bill for and LASFAC will reimburse the institution for each such recipient as follows:

a. eligible public colleges and universities that do not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level may bill for an amount up to the tuition for that institution, as defined in §301;

b. all other Eligible Colleges and Universities may bill for an amount up to the Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech), as defined in §301; and

8. 9. Before applying a TOPS award to pay a student's tuition, institutions shall first apply the student's "out-of-pocket" payments, including student loans, toward tuition charges. In those cases when a student's tuition as defined in 26 U.S.C. 25A is paid from a source other than the TOPS award, the institution shall apply the TOPS award toward payment of expenses other than tuition which are described in the term "cost of attendance" as that term is defined in 20 U.S.C. 1087(II), as amended, for the purpose of qualifying the student or his parent or guardian for the federal income tax credits provided for under 26 U.S.C. 25A.

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Chapter 21. Miscellaneous Provisions and Exceptions

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§2103. Circumstances Warranting Exception to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirements

A. Initial Enrollment Requirement. Initially apply and enroll as a First-Time Freshman as defined in §301, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, in an eligible postsecondary institution college or university defined in §1901 §301. Initial enrollment requirements specific to the TOPS are defined at §703A.4 and for TOPS-TECH at §803A.

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D. Procedure for Requesting Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement

1. The student should complete and submit an application for an exception request form, with documentary evidence, to the Office as soon as possible after the occurrence of the event or circumstance that supports the reinstatement request. and Through the 2000-2001 academic year, the student must submit the request application for an exception no later than May 30 of the academic year the student requests reinstatement into TOPS. Commencing with the 2001-2002 academic year, the student must submit the application for exception no later than six months after the date of the notice of cancellation. The deadline for filing the exception shall be prominently displayed on the notice of cancellation.

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3. If determined ineligible by LOSFA for an exception provided in §2103.E 11 (2) §2103.E 11 (ii) by LOSFA, recipient may appeal in accordance with §2109 of these rules.

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E. Qualifying Exceptions to the Initial and Continuous Enrollment Requirement

A student who has been declared ineligible for TOPS because of failure to meet the initial or continuous enrollment requirements may request reinstatement in TOPS based on one or more of the following exceptions.

1. Parental Leave

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b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form including official college transcripts, and

ii. a written statement from a doctor of medicine who is legally authorized to practice certifying the date of diagnosis of pregnancy and the anticipated delivery date or the actual birth date or a copy of the hospital's certificate of live birth or a copy of the official birth certificate or equivalent official document or written documentation from the person or agency completing the adoption that confirms the adoption and date of adoption.

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4. Temporary Disability

a. Definition. The student/recipient is recovering from an accident, injury, illness or required surgery, or the student/recipient is providing continuous care to his/her spouse, dependent, parent, stepparent, or guardian due to an accident, illness, injury or required surgery.

b. Certification Requirements. The student/recipient must submit:

i. a completed exception request form including official college transcripts, the reason for the disability, dates of absence from class, the necessity of withdrawing, dropping hours, etc., the semester(s) or number of days involved, and any other information or documents, and

ii. a written statement from a qualified professional of the existence and of the accident, injury, illness or required surgery, including the dates of treatment, the treatment required, the prognosis, the length of the recovery period, the beginning and ending dates of the doctor's care, and opinions as to the impact of the disability on the student's ability to attend school; and

iii if a temporary disability of another, a statement from the family member or a qualified professional confirming the care given by the student.

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8. Death of Immediate Family Member

a. Definition. The student's spouse, parent, stepparent, guardian, dependent, sister or brother or grandparent dies.

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