Month
07
Day
11

Governor Jeff Landry declares a state of emergency in several Louisiana parishes that were impacted by Hurricane Beryl. 

On July 9, 2024, Governor Jeff Landry signed Executive Order JML 24-105.  This Order declares a state of emergency in several Louisiana parishes that were impacted by Hurricane Beryl.  If your home of record or the school you attend was impacted, and you are unable to complete the summer session in order to achieve the required GPA for your award or to earn 24 hours, you should read the information provided below.

High School Graduates of 2024

  • The deadline for achievement of a qualifying score on the ACT or SAT when the ACT or SAT testing site has closed due to the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

1.         I was scheduled to take the ACT on July 13, but my test site was closed because it was damaged in Hurricane Beryl. I am unable to schedule a test by September 30.  Does this mean I won’t qualify for TOPS?

You must achieve a qualifying score by August 1, 2024. If you achieve a qualifying score from August 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, you may request an exception to the requirement to earn a qualifying score by August 1 based on circumstances beyond your control that are attributable to the administration of the test.  You must provide documentation that you were scheduled for an ACT test prior to August 1 that was canceled due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

College Students

  • The annual hours requirements
  • The steady academic progress requirements
  • The minimum grade point average requirements
  • The deadlines requiring that a student whose award is suspended for failure to meet the grade point average requirements must bring his grade point average up to that required in the applicable statute within a specified time period 
  1. Can I do anything if Hurricane Beryl impacted my ability to satisfy any of the above requirements?

If your home and/or school sustained damage as a result of Hurricane Beryl AND, due to Hurricane Beryl, you were unable to (1) maintain continuous enrollment in school and/or (2) earn the required annual hours; then you will need to submit a Request for Exception form to LOSFA to ensure that your TOPS award is not canceled.

There are no exceptions to the TOPS GPA requirement.  See the Q&A entitled Renewal – Grades Requirements for more information.

  1. Which exception type do I need to claim on the Request for Exception form?  

The Natural Disaster exception category is the applicable exception type.  

  1. What circumstances are covered by the Natural Disaster exception?

If you are unable to enroll in school, to maintain continuous enrollment in school, or to earn the required annual hours due to the fact that you or your family live in a region of the state of Louisiana for which a state of emergency has been declared by the Governor, then you may qualify for a Natural Disaster exception.

  1. Do I need to submit any additional documentation with my Request for Exception form?

If you are requesting a Natural Disaster exception, you must provide the following documentation:

  • A written statement detailing the natural disaster’s impact on you or your immediate family (mother, father, custodian, siblings, and/or spouse and children), which prevented you from meeting the continuation requirements, including the length of the impact; and
  • Documentation corroborating your statement (examples: photographs of damage; insurance documents, FEMA documents, fire and/or police reports; statements from public officials; statements from family members or other persons with actual knowledge; receipts and invoices for work done and materials purchases; a copy of a lease and statement from lessor regarding the impact of the flood; etc.).
  1. I am at the end of my two-year TOPS award suspension, and I will not remain enrolled this summer because my home was destroyed in Hurricane Beryl.  Does this mean I have lost my TOPS award permanently?

Yes, your TOPS award will be permanently canceled. The GPA required to continue receiving a TOPS award is provided in the TOPS statutes, and neither LOSFA nor the Board of Regents has the authority to grant an exception to this requirement.

  • Is there a deadline for me to request an exception?

Yes. You must request an exception within six months of the date your TOPS award is canceled. You can also submit the form before your award is canceled. Your deadline will be on the notice that advises you of the cancellation.

THIS DOCUMENT WILL BE UPDATED AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.