Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a program of state merit-based scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend eligible Louisiana postsecondary institutions. The program was authored by State Representative Charles R. McDonald and provides financial assistance to qualifying students attending Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana approved Proprietary and Cosmetology Schools, or institutions that are part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. TOPS offers multiple award levels including TOPS Opportunity Award, TOPS Performance Award, TOPS Honors Award, TOPS Excellence Award, and TOPS Tech Award. Each award level has specific eligibility requirements based on core curriculum completion, GPA, and ACT composite scores. Students must meet Louisiana residency requirements and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to qualify. The program includes a Student Hub system that allows students to track their TOPS status throughout high school and their college career, monitoring core curriculum requirements, GPA requirements, ACT scores, and award eligibility. Students can also receive award letters and track continuing eligibility through this online portal.