Online Application FAFSA

TOPS Online Application for 2024 or 2025 Graduates

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To apply for TOPS, you must use ONE of the two applications that follow:

You must have your parent or custodian assist you in completing this application.

1. You Must Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if:

You think your family will qualify for need based financial aid or federal grant aid (click here for determination of federal grant aid eligibility) OR
You want to be considered for all programs, including TOPS, Federal grants, student loans and work study jobs, OR

You are an “

Independent Student

TOPS Online Application Help

A student who is:
24 years of age or older, Married, a Veteran, Has a Legal Dependent, a Graduate or Professional School Student, an Orphan or Ward of the Court, or Determined �Independent� by a College Financial Aid Officer.

.”

2. You May Complete the Online Application for TOPS instead of the FAFSA if:

TOPS is the only state program for which you are applying
You do not qualify for Federal Grant Aid (Federal Pell Grant)

You are a 2024 or 2025 high school graduate who is applying for TOPS for the

first time

TOPS Online Application Help

You have never attended college as a full-time student and have never been notified by LOSFA that you were eligible for a TOPS Award.

DEADLINE TO APPLY � July 1 immediately before the academic year that you first enroll in a Louisiana college.
There is an additional period of up to 120 days to apply; however, one semester of eligibility will be deducted if submitted 1 to 60 days late and two semesters of eligibility will be deducted if submitted 61 to 120 days late.

and will not file the FAFSA at a later date.

You are a Louisiana high school graduate enrolling in a Louisiana college after having

attended an out-of-state college

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Applies to a student who graduated from high school in 2002 or later who enrolled for the First-Time as a Full-Time Freshmen in an accredited out-of-state postsecondary institution and, thereafter, returns to Louisiana and enrolls as a Full-Time Student in an Eligible College or University.
Returning students are required to complete and submit Form #0006, Application to Return from an Out-of-State College (which can be downloaded from this web site), and attach official transcripts from all out-of-state colleges and universities attended.

DEADLINE TO APPLY � May 1 of the academic year that you first enroll in a Louisiana college.
There is an additional period of up to 120 days to apply; however, one semester of eligibility will be deducted if submitted 1 to 60 days late and two semesters of eligibility will be deducted if submitted 61 to 120 days late.

High School Graduates - The TOPS application deadline is July 1 following the one year anniversary of high school graduation. For example, if you graduate in 2024, you MUST file your FAFSA or TOPS Online Application so that it is received by the federal processor by July 1, 2025 to receive full TOPS funding. However, to ensure timely processing and award notification, students are strongly encouraged to file at least six weeks prior to entry into college. Be sure to PRINT and RETAIN your dated FAFSA or TOPS Online Application confirmation page that includes the confirmation number in case verification of timely filing is required. No payment of a TOPS award will be made until the initial FAFSA or online application has been received and you have been determined eligible for a TOPS award.