TOPS Rule Revisions - non-academic program terms of attendance and qualified summer session

LOUISIANA STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Bulletin
TOPS BULLETIN NUMBER:
T2000-16
DATE ISSUED:
May 9, 2000
EFFECTIVE DATE:
As Indicated
DISTRIBUTION: Louisiana High School Principals and Counselors, City and Parish School Board Presidents, School Board Superintendents, College and University, Technical College and LAICU Chancellors, Financial Aid Offices, Business Offices, and Auditors, System Governance, Board of Regents, Department of Education, Louisiana Legislators, and Commission Members
TOPIC: TOPS Rule Revisions - non-academic program terms of attendance and qualified summer session

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 TOPS rules (Louisiana Administrative Code Title 28, Part IV) to provide for payment for all terms of attendance in a non-academic program, to provide for payment of tuition for qualified summer sessions, and to amend the definition of ACT score.

The full compilation of the TOPS rules with all changes incorporated to date may be viewed on our website at The revisions follow:

"Chapter 3. Definitions

§301. Definitions

...
Academic Year (College)——the two- and four-year college and university academic year begins with the fall term of the award year, includes the winter term, if applicable, and concludes with the completion of the spring term of the award year. The two- and four-year college and university academic year does not include summer sessions nor intersessions.
...
ACT Score —— the highest composite score achieved by the student on the official American College Test (including National, International, Military or Special test types) or an equivalent score, as determined by the comparison tables used by LASFAC, on an equivalent Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). ACT or SAT test scores which are unofficial, including so-called "residual" test scores, are not acceptable for purposes of determining program eligibility.
...
Program Year (Non-academic Program)—— the schedule of terms during a year leading to a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree for such programs offered by Eligible Colleges and Universities, beginning with the fall term, including the winter and spring terms, and concluding with the summer term or the equivalent schedule at an institution which operates on units other than terms.
...
Qualified Summer Session —— those summer sessions for which the student's institution certifies that (1) the summer session is required in the student’s degree program for graduation and the student enrolled for at least the minimum number of hours required for the degree program for the session, or (2) the student can complete his program’s graduation requirements in the summer session, or (3) the course(s) taken during the summer session is required for graduation in the program in which the student is enrolled and is only offered during the summer session.
...
...

Chapter 5. Application; Application Deadlines and Proof of Compliance

...

§509. American College Test (ACT) Testing Deadline

    A.-C.2. ...
   
D. For 1997 and 1998 high school graduates who have not previously taken an ACT test, the ACT Score shall include those scores obtained from a national ACT test taken not later than the October 1998 national test date.
    E. Students who graduated during the 1998-1999 school year who are otherwise qualified for a TOPS award and who obtained a qualifying score on the American College Test or the Scholastic Aptitude Test on an authorized testing date after the date of the student’s graduation but prior to July 1, 1999 shall be considered to have met the requirements of section 509 A and B.

...

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

§701. General Provisions
   
A.-D.3. ...
   
E. Award Amounts. The specific award amounts for each component of TOPS are as follows:
   
     1. The TOPS Opportunity Award provides an amount equal to undergraduate tuition for full-time attendance at an Eligible College or University for a period not to exceed eight semesters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, twelve quarters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, or an equivalent number of units in an eligible institution which operates on a schedule based on units other than semesters or quarters, except as provided by LSA-R.S. 17:3048.1.H, or §503.D or §509.C. Attending a Qualified Summer Session for which tuition is paid will count toward the eight (8) semester limit for TOPS.
   
     2. The TOPS Performance Award provides a $400 annual stipend, prorated by two semesters, three quarters, or equivalent units in each Academic Year (College) or by four terms or equivalent units in each Program Year (Non-academic Program), in addition to an amount equal to tuition for full-time attendance at an Eligible College or University, for a period not to exceed eight semesters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, twelve quarters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, or an equivalent number of units in an eligible institution which operates on a schedule based on units other than semesters or quarters, except as provided by LSA-R.S. 17:3048.1.H, or §503.D or§509.C. The stipend will be paid for each Qualified Summer Session, semester, quarter, term, or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid. Attending a Qualified Summer Session for which tuition is paid will count toward the eight (8) semester limit for TOPS.
   
     3. The TOPS Honors Award provides an $800 annual stipend, prorated by two semesters, three quarters, or equivalent units in each Academic Year (College) or by four terms or equivalent units in each Program Year (Non-academic Program), in addition to an amount equal to tuition for full-time attendance at an Eligible College or University, for a period not to exceed eight semesters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, twelve quarters, including Qualified Summer Sessions, or an equivalent number of units in an eligible institution which operates on a schedule based on units other than semesters or quarters, except as provided by LSA-R.S. 17:3048.1.H, or §503.D or§509.C. The stipend will be paid for each Qualified Summer Session, semester, quarter, term, or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid. Attending a Qualified Summer Session for which tuition is paid will count toward the eight (8) semester limit for TOPS.
...
   
     5. Students attending a regionally accredited independent college or university which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU):
   
         a. In an academic program receive an amount equal to the Weighted Average Award Amount, as defined in §301, plus any applicable stipend, prorated by two semesters, three quarters, or equivalent units in each Academic Year (College). The stipend will be paid for each Qualified Summer Session, semester, quarter, or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid. Attending a Qualified Summer Session for which tuition is paid will count toward the eight (8) semester limit for TOPS.
   
         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, 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.

...

    F. Beginning with the 2000-2001 Academic Year (College) or Program Year (Non-academic Program) and continuing for the remainder of their program eligibility, students who meet each of the following requirements shall be awarded a stipend in the amount of two hundred dollars per Qualified Summer Session, semester, quarter, term, or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid which shall be in addition to the amount determined to equal the tuition charged by the public college or university attended or, if applicable, the amount provided for attendance at an eligible nonpublic college or university:
   
F.1.-2. ...
   
G. Beginning with the 2000-2001 Academic Year (College) or Program Year (Non-academic Program) and continuing for the remainder of their program eligibility, students who meet each of the following requirements shall be awarded a stipend in the amount of four hundred dollars per Qualified Summer Session, semester, quarter, term, or equivalent unit for which tuition is paid which shall be in addition to the amount determined to equal the tuition charged by the public college or university attended or, if applicable, the amount provided for attendance at an eligible nonpublic college or university:
   
G.1.-2. ...

§703. Establishing Eligibility
   
A. - A.3. ...
   
     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 defined in §1901, and:
   
     4.a. - f. ...
   
         g. all students must apply for an award by July 1st of the Academic Year (High School) in which they graduate to establish their initial qualification for an award, except as provided by section 503.D. For a student entitled to defer acceptance of an award under section 703.A.4.b. or d. that student must apply by July 1st of the Academic Year (High School) in which the student graduates, except as provided by section 503.D,:
   
         (1) and, if enrolling in an academic program, must also apply by July 1st prior to the Academic Year (College) in which the student intends to first accept the award, and by July 1st of every year of eligibility thereafter, except as provided in Section 501.B; or
            (2) and, if enrolling in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, must also apply by the July 1st immediately after the start of the Program Year (Non-Academic Program) in which the student intends to first accept the award, and by July 1st of every year of eligibility thereafter, except as provided in Section 501.B.
   
A.5.-G.1. ...
   
     2. A student who graduates from high school in less than four years or who enters an Eligible College or University early admissions program prior to graduation from high school shall be considered a First-Time Freshman, as defined in §703, not earlier than the first semester following the Academic Year (High School) in which the student would have normally graduated had he or she not graduated early or entered an early admissions program. A student who graduates high school in less than four years or enters an early admissions program will remain eligible for a TOPS award until the semester or term, excluding summer semesters or sessions, immediately following the first anniversary of the date that the student normally would have graduated.

...

§705. Maintaining Eligibility
   
A. ...
   
     1. have received less than four years or eight semesters of TOPS Award funds, provided that each two terms or equivalent units of enrollment in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree shall be the equivalent of a semester; and
   
     2.-6. ...
   
     7. Minimum Academic Progress:
   
         a. in an academic program at an Eligible College or University, by the end of each Academic Year (College), earn a total of at least 24 college credit hours as determined by totaling the earned hours reported by the institution for each semester or quarter in the Academic Year (College). These hours shall include remedial course work required by the institution, but shall not include hours earned during Qualified Summer Sessions, summer sessions nor intersessions nor by advanced placement course credits. Unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, failure to earn the required number of hours will result in permanent cancellation of the recipient's eligibility, or
   
         b. in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree at an Eligible College or University, maintain Steady Academic Progress as defined in §301 and by the end of the spring term, earn a cumulative college grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 maximum scale. Unless granted an exception for cause by LASFAC, failure to maintain Steady Academic Progress and to earn a 2.50 at the conclusion of the spring term will result in permanent cancellation of the recipient's eligibility; and
   
     8. ...
   
     9. maintain at an Eligible College or University, by the end of the spring semester, quarter, or term, a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) on a 4.00 maximum scale of at least:
   
         a. a 2.30 with the completion of less than 48 credit hours, a 2.50 after the completion of 48 credit hours, for continuing receipt of an Opportunity Award, if enrolled in an academic program; or
   
         b. a 2.50, for continuing receipt of an Opportunity Award, if enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree; and
            c. a 3.00 for continuing receipt of either a Performance or Honors Award; and
   
     10. has not enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree after having received a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma, or a non-academic undergraduate degree; and
   
     11. has not received a baccalaureate degree; and
   
     12. has not been enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree for more than two years.
   
B.-D. ...

...

Chapter 8. TOPS-TECH Award
...

§805. Maintaining Eligibility
   
A.-A.6. ...
   
     7. has not received a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma, or a non-academic undergraduate degree, or a baccalaureate degree; and
   
     8. has maintained Steady Academic Progress as defined in §301; and
   
     9. maintain, by the end of the spring term, a cumulative college grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 maximum scale.
   
B. ...

...

Chapter 19. Eligibility and Responsibilities of Postsecondary Institutions
...

§1903. Responsibilities of Postsecondary Institutions
   
A. - F. ...
   
G. Certification of Qualified Summer Session. The institution’s submission of a payment request for tuition for a student’s enrollment in a summer session will constitute certification of the student’s eligibility for tuition payment for the summer session, the student’s acknowledgment and consent that each payment will consume one semester of eligibility, and the student’s enrollment.
...

Chapter 21. Miscellaneous Provisions and Exceptions
...
§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 defined in §1901. Initial enrollment requirements specific to the TOPS are defined at §703A.4 and for TOPS-TECH at §803A.4.
   
B. ...
   
C. Less Than Full-Time Attendance. The LASFAC will authorize awards under the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and Teachers Awards, 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:
   
C.1.-E.11.c. ... "

 

 

 

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