www.osfa.la.gov
“Louisiana’s First Choice for College Access”
www.osfa.la.gov
LOSFA Programs
College Access & Outreach LA GEAR UP
Scholarships & Grants
TOPS Scholarship Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship Go Grant LEAP Grant SAFER Tuition Reimbursement Program Chafee Grant
www.osfa.la.gov
LOSFA Programs
START Saving Program
High School Opportunities TOPS Tech Early Start Program Early Start Program
www.osfa.la.gov
What is Financial Aid?
What does college cost?Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA)
Based on estimated expenses at Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge for a dependent student living on campus who graduates from high school in 2011 assuming a 5% annual increase and a 9 month academic year.
Academic Year
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board
Books & Supplies
Trans-portation
Personal Expense Total
2011-2012 $5,508 $11,586 $1,575 $1,049 $1,819 $21,537
2012-2013 $5,573 $12,165 $1,654 $1,156 $2,006 $22,764
2013-2014 $6,072 $12,773 $1,737 $1,214 $2,106 $23,902
2014-2015 $6,376 $13,412 $1,823 $1,275 $2,211 $25,097
Total $23,739 $49,936 $6,789 $4,694 $8,142 $93,300
www.osfa.la.gov
Basis of Aid
Merit-Based aid is based on a student’s academic achievement, grades, ACT/SAT scores, talent, ability, athletic achievement, etc
Need-based aid is based on the student’s
financial need
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA
The primary purpose of the FAFSA is to establish the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The EFC is used by the institution, in a process called packaging, to determine your eligibility for campus based aid programs including FSEOG, LEAP, Go Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, SMART Grant, Federal Work Study, Perkins Loans and Direct Loans
www.osfa.la.gov
Financial Need
COST OF ATTENDANCE ($10,000)
- EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION: ($5,000)
FINANCIAL NEED: ($5,000)
www.osfa.la.gov
Financial Need Cost of Attendance (COA) based on
Tuition and fees Room and board Books and supplies Transportation Miscellaneous personal expenses MINUS
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on Income Assets (excluding the family home) Family size Number of family members attending college Age of parents EQUALS:
www.osfa.la.gov
FINANCIAL NEED
THE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID YOU HOPE TO RECEIVE.
AWARDS LETTERS will come to you from the college telling if you are eligible for grants, student loans, work/study, etc. (Will not mention TOPS)
TOPS LETTER comes to you separately from our office (LOSFA) saying “Congratulations, you have received a TOPS award!”
www.osfa.la.gov
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships Gift Aid – Based on Merit - TOPS
Grants Gift Aid – Based on Need – PELL
Employment Opportunities May be based on need – WORK/STUDY
Loans – Perkins, William D. Ford Direct Must be repaid – may be based on need
www.osfa.la.gov
Sources of Financial Aid
State of Louisiana: TOPS
Federal Government: PELL, LOANS
Campus Based: VARIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS
Military: NATIONAL GUARD
Private: MCDONALD’S, EXXON, WALMART
www.osfa.la.gov
Federal Aid: decided by your college financial aid office
Federal Pell Grant – Need-based, does not need to be paid back
Other Federal grants (FSEOG, etc.)
Federal Stafford and Perkins loans
Federal Work/Study Program
FAFSA ONLY APPLICATION NECESSARY
www.osfa.la.gov
Money from your COLLEGE Each college has its own merit-based scholarship
programs
Many colleges have their own need-based aid programs
Investigate aid opportunities early Each college has its own aid application process
and deadline College websites list scholarship opportunities
Departmental Scholarships Scholarship opportunities for students in a
specific major
www.osfa.la.gov
Military Educational Opportunities
G.I. Bill
Loan Repayment Program
ROTC Scholarships
Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption
www.osfa.la.gov
Private Aid:
The best source of information on private aid is the Internet. There are numerous free scholarship search services available:
www.osfa.la.gov “SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES”
Providers of private aid include companies, civic organizations, religious organizations, clubs, etc., student or family employer (“MCDONALD’S,” “EXXON,” “WALMART”)
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSADo not submit the FAFSA before January 1 of
the year you graduate from high school
But try to submit it as soon as possible AFTER January 1
Your family does not have to have submitted its Income Tax: it can ESTIMATE household
income and later, when it has completed its income tax, you can correct your FAFSA online
– if there is a significant difference between what you estimated and what you really made
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Mardi Gras
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for both federal and state aid programs
The FAFSA is the only application needed for the TOPS scholarship
The FAFSA is the only application needed for FEDERAL aid
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA
Be sure to submit the FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need based aid
Submitting the FAFSA will not interfere with future aid if you decide not to go to college that year
Try never to submit two or more FAFSAs per student per year. It is much better to correct the ONE you have submitted already.
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA
You should never be asked to pay to fill out the FAFSA. It is a FREE application
DO NOT give your credit card number or bank routing numbers for FAFSA - EVER
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA Filing Methods
FAFSA On the Web: www.fafsa.ed.gov Faster processing “Skip logic” – students are only asked
questions which apply to them Immediate EFC estimate Online receipt verification Live online help
Paper Application Available by calling the Federal Student Aid
Information Center at 800-433-3243 or downloading from www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.osfa.la.gov
Get a PIN
Apply at www.pin.ed.gov
The PIN allows you to sign the FAFSA electronically For dependent students, both you and a
parent must have a PIN Parents may use the same PIN for all of their children
The PIN allows you to make corrections to the FAFSA online
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Information
Social Security Number
State of Legal Residence
Citizenship status
Interest in STUDENT LOANS and Work-Study programs
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Status
This section determines your dependency status
The EFC of a dependent student is based on both your financial information and your parents’ financial information
The EFC of an independent student is based on your (and your spouse’s) financial information
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Status
To be considered an independent student, you must be:
24 years old
Married
Have a child who will receive more than half of its support from you
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Status
Have another person who lives with you and receives more than half of their support from you
At any time since you turned age 13, had both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were a dependent or ward of the court
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Status
Already have an undergraduate degree
Are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student Status
Otherwise, you are considered an INDEPENDENT STUDENT and do not need to use your PARENT INFORMATION
and do not need your PARENT TO SIGN the FAFSA
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Student StatusSpecial Circumstances
Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
At any time on or after July 1, 2008, were you determined by certain governmental agencies to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Parent Information
Whose information do you use?
Grandparents, foster parents and legal guardians are NOT considered parents
If this is your case, see a Financial Aid Officer in the Financial Aid Office of your college
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA : Parent Information
If your parent is single or has been divorced or separated, the parent on your FAFSA should be the parent who has custodial guardianship or with whom you lived most during the past 12 months If this parent is remarried as of today, answer the
questions about that parent and their spouse
If you divide your time equally between both parents, the parent on your FAFSA is the who contributes most to your financial support
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: School Information
May list up to 10 colleges to receive your FAFSA data when filing online
Make sure to list a Louisiana school first, so that TOPS receives your FAFSA information
www.osfa.la.gov
FAFSA: Signatures
For a dependent student, both the student and the parent must sign
FAFSA on the Web may be signed by: Using a pin number
The parent and student must have separate pin numbers
Parents may use the same PIN for all of their children
Printing the signature page Must mail within 14 days
www.osfa.la.gov
Student Aid Report (SAR)
In response to your FAFSA, you will receive a document – several colored pages listing the answers you put on the FAFSA
Check these answers carefully to make certain everything is correct
If anything is incorrect, you can use your 4-digit PIN, get back into your online FAFSA ,and correct your answers online
www.osfa.la.gov
Student Aid Report (SAR)
The SAR provides you with: Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Pell Grant Eligibility Listing of Institutions which will receive your
data A financial aid history A listing of your responses to the FAFSA
Corrections may be made: Online at www.fafsa.ed.gov By phone at (800) 433-3243
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS General Eligibility Requirements
Must be a U.S. citizen, or a permanent resident who is eligible to apply for citizenship
Have no criminal convictions Excludes misdemeanor traffic violations
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:
Any student will meet the TOPS residency requirements if s/he graduates from a Louisiana approved high school and actually resides in Louisiana for his/her last two full years of high school
Or, a parent or custodian of a dependent
student has been a resident of Louisiana for the 24 months prior to high school graduation
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Core Curriculum
All TOPS core curriculum courses must be completed by the date of high school graduation
Distance learning courses approved by the high school may be used to qualify for TOPS
College courses taken in the classroom, online, or by correspondence may be used to qualify for TOPS provided that they are determined to be equivalent courses and appear on the student’s official high school transcript
Effective for the graduating class of 2013-2014, the TOPS Core Curriculum will change to a subset of the Core 4 Curriculum
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
17.5 COLLEGE CORE COURSES completed by high school grad date
2.50 grade point average over the college core ONLY (NOT overall high school gpa) by high school grad date
Qualifying ACT OR SAT score by JULY 1 of high school senior graduating year, PLUS
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
FINAL NON-ACADEMIC REQUIREMENT:
The FAFSA which must be submitted by July 1, 2012
by students graduating high school in 2011
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS OPPORTUNITY AWARD
This is the basic TOPS award, which will pay for 8 semesters’ or 12 quarters’ tuition to any accredited or State college, community college, technical college, or approved proprietary or cosmetology college in Louisiana
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
English English I English II English III English IV
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
Math Algebra I or Integrated Mathematics I
Or Applied Algebra 1 Or Algebra I – Parts 1 & 2 (two units) Or Applied Algebra 1A & 1B (two units) Or Applied Mathematics I & II (two units)
Algebra II or Integrated Mathematics II
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
Plus one of these:
Geometry, Applied Geometry, Calculus, Advanced Math I, Advanced Math II, Pre-Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III or AP Calculus
2 units required for the class of 2014 and beyond
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum Science
Biology I or II
Chemistry I or II, or Chemistry Com
Plus one of these: Earth Science, Physical Science, Environmental
Science, Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, Physics for Technology, AP Physics, or Agriscience I and II (two units)
2 units required for the class of 2014 and beyond
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum Additional Math or Science from ONE of
these: Geometry, Applied Geometry, Calculus,
Advanced Math I, Advanced Math II, Pre-Calculus, Probability and Statistics, Discrete Mathematics, Algebra III, Applied Mathematics III, Integrated Mathematics III, or AP Calculus
Biology II, Chemistry II, Physics, Physics II, or AP Physics
Not required for the class of 2014 and beyond
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
Social Studies
American History
Civics and Free Enterprise (1 unit combined), Civics (1 unit), or AP American Government
World History, Western Civilization, World Geography, or European History
2 units required for the class of 2014 and beyond
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
Foreign Language
Two units in the same language
English is not considered a foreign language
American Sign Language (2 units)
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
Fine Arts Survey or two units of performance courses in music,
dance or theater* or two units of studio art* or two units of visual art* or two units of Speech III & IV* or 1 unit of an elective from among the other
subjects listed in this core curriculum
* The two units may be any combination of whole and half units
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum
½ unit of Computer Science I or II, Computer Technology Literacy, Business Computer Applications, Introduction to Business Computer Applications, or Computer Science Elective Or ½ unit of an approved computer science
course or 1/2 unit of an elective from among the other
subjects listed in the core curriculum
Not required for the class of 2014 and beyond
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Core Curriculum GPA
The TOPS Core Curriculum GPA is calculated using ONLY grades achieved in the core curriculum courses
Uses the highest grade in each core category
For high schools using any grading scale other than a 4.00 scale, all grade values must be converted to a 4.00 scale
GPA cannot be rounded up
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS CORE CURRICULUM
When two units for a one unit category, the grades from the two courses will be averaged together and substituted as one unit
“P” (PASSING) grades are not included in the TOPS Core GPA calculation and will not affect your TOPS gpa
www.osfa.la.gov
ACT
Highest composite score will be considered TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of
the ACT
ACT Registration TOPS Code 1595 Social Security Number Date of Birth
ACT Deadlines for 2011 Graduates Without penalty: April 9, 2011 Loss of one semester eligibility: June 11, 2011
www.osfa.la.gov
SAT
An equivalent SAT score may be substituted for the ACT score TOPS does not consider the Essay portion of the
SAT
SAT Registration Scholarship Code 9019 Social Security Number Date of Birth
SAT Test Deadlines Without Penalty: March 12, 2011 Loss of 1 semester eligibility: May 7, 2011 and
June 4, 2011
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Award: Eligibility Requirements
Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum by high school grad date
2.50 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA by high school grad date
ACT score equal to the prior year’s state average, but never less than 20 ? for 2011 graduates
SAT score of ?
TOPS general eligibility requirements
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Award: Eligibility Requirements
Submission of the FAFS A
By July 1 of the year following high school graduation
2010 high school grads can apply for TOPS until July 1 2011
www.osfa.la.gov
Opportunity Award Benefits Provides an amount equal to tuition at a
Louisiana public college for 8 semesters Or an amount equal to the weighted average
public tuition at a LAICU private institution $1515.47 per semester for Academic Year 2010-
2011 TOPS does not cover academic excellence
fees, energy surcharges, technology fees, books, room & board, parking fees, lab fees or any other fee that was not in effect on January 1, 1998
A TOPS award may be combined with other forms of financial aid up to the “Cost of Attendance” for the institution
www.osfa.la.gov
Opportunity Award Benefits
May be received for a maximum of eight semesters or 12 quarters
Not available for summer terms except for students enrolled in a Qualified Summer Session Students with 60 or more hours Required to attend summer by major Courses required for major only offered in
summer Technical Programs
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Opportunity Award Benefits
May be used to pursue:
Academic undergraduate degree Vocational or technical certificate Non-academic degree
Effective for 2011 graduates, the award may be used at eligible Louisiana cosmetology and proprietary schools
www.osfa.la.gov
ANY TOPS AWARD
A TOPS award may be combined with Federal aid, other State aid, college scholarships, military aid, and private aid up to the “Cost of Attendance” for the institution
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Performance Award
Eligibility Requirements Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum 3.0 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA ACT score of 23
SAT score of 1060
Award Benefits Provides the same benefits as the
Opportunity award, plus $400 annual stipend
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Honors Award
Eligibility Requirements Completion of the TOPS Core Curriculum 3.00 minimum TOPS Core Curriculum GPA ACT score of 27
SAT score of 1210
Award Benefits Provides the same benefits as the
Opportunity award, plus $800 annual stipend
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Tech Award Eligibility Requirements
Completion of one the three TOPS Tech Core Curricula by the high school grad date Opportunity Core Curriculum TOPS Tech Option 1 TOPS Tech Option 2
2.50 minimum TOPS or TOPS Tech Core Curriculum GPA obtained by the high school grad date
ACT score of 17, 18, or 19 SAT score of 810, 860, or 900 WorkKeys Silver Certificate
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Tech Award Benefits
May be used to pursue vocational or technical certificate or diploma
or non-academic degree in skill or occupational training
May receive for two years
Summer terms are covered for students attending a technical program Summer attendance is not required
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS Tech Award Benefits: Award Amounts
Public 2-year Institution The award will pay an amount equal to
tuition
Cosmetology or Proprietary School The award will be an amount equal to the
weighted average paid for students enrolled in a technical program at a public institution
www.osfa.la.gov
Disabled Students & Exceptional Children A core curriculum course may be waived for
a disabled student or exceptional child if documentation is provided that the reason the student failed to successfully complete the course was due solely to the student’s disability or exceptionality
There is no exception to the GPA or ACT/SAT requirements ACT or SAT Special Testing for Students with
Disabilities is available
Affected students should contact LOSFA for details
www.osfa.la.gov
Award Acceptance
Must enter an eligible institution as a full-time student by the fall semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation
Exceptions: Returning Out-of-State Students Military Service
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE Do not have to enroll throughout the first
year following high school graduation
Can stay out of college completely
Can attend college part-time at the student’s expense
Can attend non-eligible college full-time at student’s expense
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - HOURS
But once enrolled full-time, must enroll full-time thereafter, EVERY SEMESTER until eight semesters are used
Fulltime definition: Student must be enrolled for 12 or more hours by the end of the14th day of class attendance: that is, 14 days that classes have been offered
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - HOURS
Students may drop below full-time at the end of the 15th day of class attendance,
But must complete 24 hours at the end of each spring semester, with a D or better, for the academic year (that spring and the preceding fall)
TOPS does NOT count summer hours
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - HOURS
Failure to enroll full-time each semester, or
Failure to earn 24 hours at the end of the year,
will result in permanent award cancellation
Unless the student can document illness, injury, death in the family, a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, etc., pregnancy, military or religious commitment, et . Or other reasons beyond the student’s control
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - HOURS
TOPS will now count fall intersession hours, spring intersession hours, and hours from any short course, or midmester, or minimester, or correspondence course taken BETWEEN AUGUST and MAY: in other words, NOT taken in summer, toward the 24 hours required at the end of the spring semester for that year
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - HOURS
These short courses may not be used for INITIAL FULLTIME ENROLLMENT for each semester,
But may be used to “save your TOPS,” or insure that you finish each year with the requisite number of hours
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES
TOPS looks only at CUMULATI VE or OVERALL grade point average (gpa), never semester, term, or yearly
That means that every college grade you ever make, even in college courses taken in high school or summers or out of state colleges, counts toward your TOPS grade point average
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES
Your cumulative gpa can drop as low as a 2.00 (steady academic progress) at the end of any fall or winter term, and TOPS will pay for the following term
But by the end of each Spring term, you must achieve a cumulative college gpa of 2.30, or
TOPS will cease to pay, until you bring it up to a 2.30
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES
After you have earned 48 hours, you need a cumulative gpa of 2.50 at the end of the spring semester.
Of course, if you bring your grades up to requirement at the end of a summer or fall or winter term, TOPS will resume paying the following semester. You do not have to wait until after spring.
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES
YOU MUST CONTINUE TO ENROLL FULLTIME EACH SEMESTER AND COMPLETE YOUR 24 HOURS, EVEN THOUGH TOPS HAS CEASED TO PAY,
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR TOPS FOREVER
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES
When your gpa comes back up to requirement, then TOPS will resume paying
You have to go four semesters in a row that TOPS will not pay because of your grades, before you will lose your TOPS forever, on account of grades
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE - GRADES That means, it takes TWO YEARS with
grades below requirement, before you lose your TOPS on account of grades
About F’s: TOPS does not mind if you make an F: but 3 hours of F means that you have lost 3 hours’ credit; and you might end up your spring semester with 21 hours instead of 24: therefore losing your TOPS forever
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE: HOURS
But you can lose your TOPS forever, before receiving a single payment, on account of HOURS
Please learn about college hours and how you can be certain that you are enrolled full-time and finish full-time in the spring
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE: GRADES
After you have earned 48 hours, you will need a cumulative gpa of 2.50, at the end of ech spring term
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS: HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS IN COLLEGE: GRADES If your grades fall below requirement, DO NOT DROP OUT OF COLLEGE
You can count summer grades, and you can take anything you want, not just required courses
If you drop out of college just because of grades, then you WILL lose your TOPS forever
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS TECH AWARD:
HOW TO KEEP YOUR TOPS TECH AWARD IN COLLEGE:
You must enroll full-time each term, but you can count summer hours toward your 24, and TOPS will pay for summer school
But you must end each spring term with a 2.50 cumulative grade point average
www.osfa.la.gov
TOPS PERFORMANCE & HONORS AWARDS - GRADES:
You must complete each spring semester with a 3.00
Or you will lose your stipend (extra money), forever
But NOT your TOPS tuition award
LOSFA Social Sites
http://www.facebook.com/LOSFA
http://www.twitter.com/LOSFA
http://www.youtube.com/ LOSFA1000
http://www.Flickr.com/LOSFA
TOPS Blog
http://www.louisianatopsprogram.com/
www.osfa.la.gov
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