TOPS Scholarship

TOPS Scholarship

Note: This information was derived from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) TOPS webpage in November 2026. Eligibility requirements, deadlines, and award amounts can change. For the most up-to-date information, visit LOSFA’s TOPS page.

Louisiana’s TOPS Scholarship can help pay for career training at ITI Technical College in Baton Rouge. If you earned the grades and test scores in high school, TOPS may cover part of the cost of your program. Here is how it works, who qualifies, and how to apply.

What Is The TOPS Scholarship?

TOPS (the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is Louisiana’s merit-based, publicly funded scholarship. Eligibility is determined by achievement in high school, and the program can be used at proprietary schools approved by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

TOPS is administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), which determines who qualifies. Award amounts depend on the type of school. 

TOPS Award Levels And Requirements

TOPS offers several award levels, and the table below lists four of them. Each one requires a minimum GPA on the TOPS Core Curriculum (only core courses count) and a minimum ACT score or SAT equivalent. TOPS does not accept ACT superscores. LOSFA also lists an Excellence Award, so check its TOPS page for the requirements of every level.

Requirements as listed by LOSFA in November 2026. LOSFA can change them, so check the current rules on LOSFA’s TOPS page.

All levels also require you to:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Meet LOSFA’s Louisiana residency requirements
• Complete the TOPS Core Curriculum (TOPS Tech also accepts the TOPS Tech JumpStart Core Curriculum)
• Graduate from a BESE-approved high school (all Louisiana public high schools qualify)
• Enroll full time as a first-time freshman by the first semester after the first anniversary of your high school graduation

TOPS Tech is built for skill and occupational training and can cover up to two years of it, which can suit students heading into technical careers. Our Financial Aid Office can tell you which TOPS award applies to your program at ITI Technical College and what it pays. To see what you could study, explore our programs today.

How To Apply For TOPS

1. Choose how you will apply. LOSFA offers two ways to apply for TOPS: the FAFSA or the TOPS Online Application. The FAFSA also lets you apply for other state aid and all federal aid, such as federal grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans, while the online application covers TOPS only. Visit LOSFA’s Applying for TOPS page to get started.
2. Meet the deadline. LOSFA sets the TOPS application deadline, which is tied to the date you graduate from high school. Check the current deadline with LOSFA and file as early as you can.
3. Talk to the Financial Aid Office at ITI Technical College. We will help you confirm your TOPS status, see how TOPS fits with any other aid you may qualify for, and get your award applied to your program.

You can check your TOPS status through the LOSFA Student Hub.

Keeping Your TOPS Award

TOPS has renewal requirements, such as keeping a minimum GPA, staying enrolled, and earning a minimum number of credit hours each academic year. LOSFA lists the current rules for TOPS Tech on its TOPS Tech page. Our Financial Aid Office can walk you through what is required to keep your award while you attend ITI Technical College.

More Ways To Pay At ITI Technical College

TOPS is one piece of the picture. ITI Technical College participates in U.S. Department of Education federal student aid programs, and financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Options include:

• Federal grants and work-study: the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant for students with exceptional financial need, and Federal Work-Study.
• Federal loans: Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, plus Direct PLUS Loans for parents of dependent undergraduates.
• M.J. Foster Promise Program: aid for eligible Louisiana residents 21 and older enrolling in qualified programs that lead to high-demand jobs. Funding is limited. Learn about the M.J. Foster Program.
• Military and veteran benefits: ITI Technical College accepts the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty and Selected Reserve), VA Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program. Military and veterans information.

See every option on our Financial Aid Programs page, and use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your cost.

TOPS Scholarship FAQ