LOUISIANA STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
OFFICE OF STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Bulletin
TOPS BULLETIN NUMBER: T2001- 17
DATE ISSUED: September 12, 2001
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 Selective Enrollment Programs

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 to clarify the definition of a selective enrollment program and exceptional circumstances warranting exception to initial and continuous enrollment requirements for TOPS. The clarifications are consistent with the agency's interpretation and enforcement of the TOPS rules since the inception of the program.

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

Chapter 3. Definitions

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§301. Definitions

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Selective Enrollment Program — An advanced college course of study with competitive admissions based on a student's qualifications including successful completion of required college courses and a minimum college cumulative grade point average. Examples of Selective Enrollment Programs include, but are not limited to, medical technology, nursing (bachelor of science), occupational therapy, physical therapy, and radiation technology.

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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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A. - E.9.(c.) ...

10. Transfer – Selective Enrollment Program

a. Definition. A student/recipient who completed his or her program requirements for transfer to a Selective Enrollment Program.

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

i. a completed exception request form including official college transcripts and the semester(s) affected, and

ii. a written statement from the dean of the college or the dean's designee certifying that the student/recipient has or will complete his or her course requirements for transfer to a Selective Enrollment Program.

c. Maximum Length of Exception. Two semesters or three quarters.

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