The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) provides eligible Louisiana students with valuable financial assistance to pursue a postsecondary education. Students who attend a BESE-approved home study program for 11th grade, if applicable, and 12th grade are eligible to apply for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), provided they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents who meet TOPS Louisiana residency requirements.
This webpage provides important information about eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines for home study students seeking TOPS awards. Whether you’re planning for college now or in the future, LOSFA is here to help you navigate your path to higher education.
Please be aware of the following information regarding applying for TOPS:
All documentation required to establish initial eligibility, including the 9th and 10th grade documentation, ACT scores, and citizenship/residency documentation, must be received by our office no later than the January 15th following the one-year anniversary of your high school graduation date. For example, May 2026 graduates must submit documentation by January 15, 2028.
Home study students can begin applying for TOPS their 12th grade year by either completing the TOPS Online Application or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
The TOPS application deadline is July 1 following the one-year anniversary of high school graduation. For example, May 2026 graduates must submit an application no later than July 1, 2027, to receive TOPS funding.
The names of students who indicate they were home schooled on the FAFSA® or the TOPS Online Application will automatically be submitted to the Louisiana Dept. of Education to verify their 11th and 12th grade home study status.
LOSFA also requires documentation regarding the student’s 9th and 10th grade years before processing them for eligibility during the summer of the year they graduate from high school.
The ACT qualifying scores for home study students are:
TOPS Opportunity – 20
TOPS Performance – 23
TOPS Honors – 27
TOPS Excellence – 31
TOPS Tech – 17
*NOTE: The ACT scores above are TOPS requirements. The achievement of these scores does not necessarily mean that you will meet the admission standards of the college of your choice since some schools require minimum ACT sub-scores for admission. You should contact the admissions office for the colleges to which you will apply to verify the ACT admission requirements for those schools.
CLT Eligibility Requirements
The CLT qualifying scores for home study students are:
TOPS Opportunity – 66
TOPS Performance – 80
TOPS Honors – 91
TOPS Excellence – 101
TOPS Tech – 54
*NOTE: The CLT scores above are TOPS requirements. The achievement of these scores does not necessarily mean that you will meet the admission standards of the college of your choice, since each school has its own admission requirements. You should contact the admissions office for the colleges to which you will apply to verify admission requirements for those schools.
