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.

The Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission has revised its Scholarship and Grant program rules at its October 18, 2001 meeting to:

• Redefine the award amount for TOPS-Tech;
• Redefine the term "full-time student";
• Change the TOPS billing procedure for Louisiana Technical College (in Monroe);
• Make technical and administrative changes to conform other sections of the rules to recent statutory changes and actual administrative practices;
• Change the renewal application procedure for TOPS-Teacher to be consistent with that for other TOPS awards;
• Delete Chapter 15 of the rules which deals with the defunct T. H. Harris Scholarship Program.

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

Title 28
EDUCATION
Part IV. Student Financial Assistance—Higher Education Scholarship and Grant Programs

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.

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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.

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Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech) – for is applicable to those students with awarded the TOPS-Tech Award and TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards attending an eligible college or university that offers an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher who attend LAICU colleges and universities and are enrolled in a program for a vocational, or technical education certificate or diploma programs or a non-academic undergraduate degree programs, and is determined by dividing the total dollar value of awards, which are made under TOPS-Tech to students enrolled in the same types of programs in the prior academic year Program Year (Non-Academic Program) to students attending at eligible public colleges and universities that do not offer academic degrees at the baccalaureate level, divided by the total number of students awarded that received the awards.

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

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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 (TOPS-Tech).

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Full-Time Student——

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b. For continuation purposes, a student must be enrolled full-time at the end of the fourteenth class day at a semester school or the (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech or Louisiana Technical College) at a quarter or term school;

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Chapter 5. Application; Application Deadlines and Proof of Compliance

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§503. Application Deadlines

A. Deadline for Priority Consideration

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4. For priority consideration for award years after 1998-99, applicants must submit the FAFSA to be postmarked by April 15, or to be received by the federal processor by May 1, preceding the award year.

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§507. Final Deadline for Submitting Documentation of Eligibility

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B. Students not determined eligible by May 1 of the spring term of the award year are ineligible to receive program funding that award year.

C. B. All documentation and certifications necessary to establish student eligibility including, but not limited to, high school and/or college transcripts and certifications, copies of Student Aid Reports, applicant confirmation forms, promissory notes and other documents which may be utilized in determining eligibility, must be received by LASFAC no later than May 1 of the award year. For example, to receive an award for the 1998-99 2001-02 award year, LASFAC must have in its possession all documents relevant to establishing eligibility by May 1, 1999 2002.

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

§701. General Provisions

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E. Award Amounts. The specific award amounts for each component of TOPS are as follows:

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5. Students attending a regionally accredited independent college or university which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU):

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b. In a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree receive an amount equal to the Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech), as defined in §301, plus any applicable stipend, prorated by four terms or equivalent units in each Program Year (Non-academic Program). The stipend will be paid for each term or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid.

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§705. Maintaining Eligibility

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B. Students failing to meet the requirements listed in §705.A.8 or §705.A.9.a or b may have their tuition awards reinstated upon the lifting of academic probation regaining Steady Academic Progress ( See §301.) and/or attainment of the required GPA, if the period of ineligibility did not persist for more than two years from the date of loss of eligibility. Students who fail to meet the continuation requirements of §705.a.9.b., but who meet the continuation requirements of §705.A.9.a., shall no longer be eligible for the stipend authorized for the Performance and Honors Awards, but shall continue to receive the award amount for the Opportunity Award. To be reinstated, the student must request reinstatement for the semester following the lifting of academic probation and/or the achievement of the required GPA by submitting a written request to the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Attention: Scholarship and Grant Division, and enclosing a certified original transcript from the school attended. Students who are reinstated to a Performance or Honors Award are no longer eligible to receive the annual stipends that normally accompany these awards.

Chapter 8. TOPS-TECH Award

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§803. Establishing Eligibility

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

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6. if qualifying under the terms of §803.B.5.a §803.5.a, at the time of high school graduation,:

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

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(iii) For students graduating through the 2000-2001 2001-2002 school year, the TOPS-TECH core curriculum as follows:

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Chapter 9. TOPS Teacher Award

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§903. Establishing Eligibility

A. To establish eligibility, the student applicant must meet all of the following criteria:

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4. either;

a.graduate from a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)-approved, provisionally-approved, or probationally-approved public or nonpublic high school; and

i. at the time of high school graduation, have successfully completed 16.5 units of high school course work constituting a core curriculum as defined in §703.A.1.a §703.A.5.a.i of LAC 28:IV; and

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§907. Maintaining Eligibility

A. To continue receiving the TOPS Teacher Award, recipients must meet all of the following criteria:

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7. annually apply for federal and state student aid by completing the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA, whichever is applicable to the student, by the state deadline submit the Renewal FAFSA in accordance with §501.B; and

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Chapter 13. Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)

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§1303. Establishing Eligibility

LEAP applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

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3. annually, submit the completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA, whichever is available to the applicant, by the state deadline defined in §503 and any deadline imposed by the institution attended; and

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Chapter 15. T. H. Harris Scholarship Reserved

§1501. General Provisions

A. Legislative Authority

1. R.S. 17:3036.1;

2. Act 24 of the 1938 Regular Legislative Session;

3. Act 199 of the 1940 Regular Legislative Session;

4. Act 19 of the 1942 Regular Legislative Session;

5. Act 499 of the 1948 Regular Legislative Session;

6. Act 83 of the 1977 Regular Legislative Session;

7. Act 710 of the 1985 Regular Legislative Session;

8. Act 663 of the 1990 Regular Legislative Session.

B. Description, History and Purpose. The T. H. Harris Scholarship Program was first funded with state general funds in 1942 for the purpose of granting scholarships to deserving youth enrolling at state-supported colleges or universities. A maximum cumulative award, assuming the recipient maintains eligibility, is $2,000 for five years of study. Effective with award year 1996-97, applications are not being accepted and the program is being phased out. Students awarded during the 1995-96 award year, continue to receive an award, as long as funds are available and they maintain continuing academic eligibility.

C. Award Amounts. The annual award is $400, with a cumulative maximum award of $2,000 for five years. Recipients receive $200 each fall and spring term, less a $5 award fee.

§1503. Maintaining Eligibility

To continue to receive T. H. Harris Scholarship funds, recipients must meet all of the following criteria:

1. be in compliance with the terms of other federal and state aid programs which the applicant may be receiving and which are administered by LASFAC; and

2. agree that award proceeds will be used exclusively for educational expenses; and

3. continue to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student in a two- or four-year public college or university, unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC; and

4. successfully complete the minimum number of hours required for a full-time student as defined in §301; and

5. achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00, on a 4.00 scale, at the conclusion of the spring term each academic year; and

6. have received less than 10 semesters of T. H. Harris funding.

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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, and Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program and the T. H. Harris Scholarship.

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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, at the end of the fourteenth class day for semester schools and the (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech, first class day for campuses of Louisiana Technical College quarter and term schools, and for any qualifying summer sessions 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 at the end of the fourteenth class day for semester schools or the (ninth class day for Louisiana Tech, first class day for campuses of Louisiana Technical College quarter and term schools, and for any qualifying summer sessions 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 or ninth class day, as applicable, 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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4. annually, two- and four-year all institutions are required to provide LASFAC a current fee schedule. The schedule must include an itemized description of the composition of the mandatory fees listed on the fee schedule;

5. campuses of Louisiana Technical College are exempt from furnishing a schedule of fees, but must bill LASFAC on the first class day of each quarter for three times the monthly amount established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for full-time attendance; and

6. 5. certify that the institution will reimburse LASFAC for any award funds incorrectly disbursed to ineligible students; and

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

a. public two and four year colleges and universities may bill for an amount up to the maximum tuition for that institution, as defined in §301;

b. Louisiana Technical College campuses may bill each quarter for three times the monthly amount established by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for full-time attendance for an amount up to the tuition for that institution, as defined in §301;

c. LAICU member colleges and universities may bill for students enrolled in academic programs an amount up to the weighted average tuition Weighted Average Award Amount, as defined in §301;

d. LAICU member colleges and universities may bill for students enrolled in nonacademic programs an amount up to the Average Award Amount (TOPS-Tech), as defined in §301;

d. e. for recipients of the Performance and Honors awards, institutions may bill LASFAC for the stipend that accompanies these awards, in the amounts of $200 or $400 per semester, respectively.

8. 7. 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

9. 8. Before applying a TOPS award to pay a student's tuition, institutions shall first apply the student's Aout-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.

D. Disbursement of Funds. Upon receipt of award funds and prior to their disbursement to students, the institution shall:

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3. release award funds by crediting the student's account within 14 days of the institution's receipt of funds or disbursing individual award checks to recipients as instructed by LASFAC. Individual award checks for the T. H. Harris Scholarship, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, TOPS Teacher Award and LEAP must be released to eligible recipients within 30 days of receipt by the school or be returned to LASFAC.

E. Reporting of Academic Data. At the conclusion of each academic year term or semester, the institution will complete and return to LASFAC, a College Academic Grade Report including, but not limited to, the following data elements:

1. academic year hours earned; and

2. cumulative hours earned; and

3. cumulative grade point average;

4. academic standing, and if applicable, date of placement on academic probation; and

5. upon graduation, degree date and type and name of degree.

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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

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C. Less Than Full-Time Attendance. LASFAC will authorize awards under the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Teachers Awards, and the TOPS-TECH Award, and the T. H. Harris Scholarship Program for less than full-time enrollment provided that the student meets all other eligibility criteria and at least one of the following:

1. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete the undergraduate degree; or

2. is enrolled in a degree program that defines full-time as less than 12 hours per semester or eight hours per quarter; or

3. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete requirements for a specified course of study or clinical program.

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§2107. Funding and Fees

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B. Fees. The LASFAC may charge a variable fee not to exceed $10 for each award check processed for recipients of the T.H. Harris Scholarship. This fee will be charged only if the Louisiana Legislature fails to appropriate sufficient state general funds for administration of this program. The LASFAC, at its discretion, may automatically deduct the fee from each T.H. Harris Scholarship award check.

C. B. Less than Full-Time Attendance. The LASFAC will authorize awards under the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Teachers Awards and the T.H. Harris Scholarship Program for less than full-time enrollment provided that the student meets all other eligibility criteria and at least one of the following:

1. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete the undergraduate degree; or

2. is enrolled in a degree program that defines full-time as less than 12 hours per semester or eight hours per quarter; or

3. requires less than full-time enrollment to complete requirements for a specified course of study or clinical program.

D. C. Insufficient Funds Appropriated

1. All LASFAC administered State Scholarship and Grant Program Awards are contingent upon the annual appropriation of funds by the Louisiana Legislature.

2. In the event appropriated funds are insufficient to fully reimburse institutions for awards and stipends for all students determined eligible for the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and TECH Awards for a given academic year, then the number of eligible students shall be reduced in accordance with the following procedures until such funds are sufficient.

a. Applicants who do not submit financial data on the initial FAFSA or a renewal FAFSA or who do not submit a renewal FAFSA to allow determination of eligibility for federal aid will be the first students eliminated from consideration if insufficient funds are appropriated for the program.

b. After the elimination of students under §2107.D.2.a, if funds are still insufficient to award all of those students who remain eligible for award year 1998-99, then those students qualified by the actions of the First Extraordinary Session of 1998 shall be funded only after all awards to all students who are eligible pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter as they existed prior to any Act of the 1998 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature are fully funded. Students qualified by actions of the First Extraordinary Session of 1998 include the following:

i. students qualified by reduction of Foreign Language requirement for 1996-97 and 1997-98 graduates;

ii. students qualified as Exceptional Students/Students with disabilities;

iii. students who graduated from out-of-state high schools; and,

iv. students who completed an Approved Home Study Program.

c. After the elimination of students in §2107.D.2.a and b, if funds are still insufficient to award all of the remaining students, then those who remain will be prioritized according to their ACT score and, within ACT score, by their EFC in ranges of $1,000, from lowest to highest. Beginning with the lowest qualifying ACT score, the students with the highest EFC shall be eliminated until the funds available are sufficient to award all remaining students or until all students with that ACT score have been eliminated. This process shall be repeated, beginning with the lowest ACT score and progressing to the highest ACT score, until the projected expenditure for awards equals the funds appropriated for that purpose.

d. After the elimination of students in §2107.D.2.a, if funds are sufficient to award all students who were eligible prior to the Act of the 1998 First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature, but are insufficient to award all students made eligible under such Act and listed in §2107.D.2.b, then those students made eligible by such Act shall be rendered ineligible by application of §2107.D.2.c, above, until funds available are sufficient to award all remaining students.

3. From among those students otherwise eligible who are denied an award because of the imposition of the procedures in §2107.D.2, if additional funds subsequently become available for expenditure in the same award year, those students who have the highest ACT scores and the least capacity to pay, as evidenced by their families' lower EFC, shall be the first to be awarded by reversing the procedure described in §2107.D.2.c.

E. D. Stop Payment of Uncleared Checks. The LASFAC may stop payment on checks which are issued as scholarship or grant awards but not negotiated by September 1 following the close of the academic year for which they were issued.

F. E. Transferability of Funds. A student receiving an award under the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), and/or Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship and/or the T.H. Harris Scholarship may have his award transferred to another postsecondary institution which is authorized to participate in these programs, as described in §1901. The student must meet all continuation requirements and submit a Scholarship and Grant Transfer Request Form.