Louisiana Financial Aid
State grants, eligibility, deadlines, and strategies for Louisiana students
Louisiana's TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is one of the most well-known state merit scholarship programs in the country, providing free tuition to Louisiana students who meet academic benchmarks. TOPS has multiple tiers with increasing award levels for higher academic achievement.
Louisiana grant programs
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) — Opportunity Award
Merit-basedFull tuition at Louisiana public institutions (approximately $5,000–$12,000/year depending on school)
Eligibility
- Louisiana resident
- Graduate from an eligible Louisiana high school with the TOPS Core Curriculum
- Minimum 2.5 GPA on Core Curriculum courses
- Minimum 20 ACT composite (or equivalent SAT)
- Apply by the July 1 deadline following high school graduation
Deadline: July 1 following high school graduation
Official info →TOPS Performance Award
Merit-basedFull tuition plus a $400/year stipend
Eligibility
- Meet all TOPS Opportunity Award requirements
- Minimum 3.5 GPA on Core Curriculum courses
- Minimum 23 ACT composite (or equivalent SAT)
Deadline: July 1 following high school graduation
Official info →Tips for maximising Louisiana aid
TOPS is available to most Louisiana students who complete the Core Curriculum with a 2.5+ GPA and 20+ ACT — make sure you're taking the right courses starting in 9th grade.
Higher ACT scores unlock higher TOPS tiers (Performance, Honors) with additional stipends — consider retaking the ACT if you're close to a tier cutoff.
TOPS only covers tuition at public institutions — you'll still need to plan for room, board, books, and fees. File the FAFSA for additional federal and institutional aid.
Educational guide only. State aid programs, amounts, and deadlines change annually. Always verify current information directly with Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) and your college's financial aid office before making decisions.
Put this into action
Find colleges in Louisiana that fit your budget, or learn more about the FAFSA process.