Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
A Program of the Board of Regents

Applying for TOPS

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 (FASFA).

The TOPS application deadline is July 1 following the one-year anniversary of high school graduation. For example, May 2023 graduates must submit an application no later than July 1, 2024, 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.

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 2023 graduates must submit documentation by January 15, 2025.

Required Documentation

If the student ever attended a public and/or private high school for any part of their 9th and/or 10th grade year LOSFA requires a letter from the high school stating the dates of attendance and stating whether or not the student was in good standing at the time they left. Certification must be on the school’s letterhead and signed by the principal, headmaster, or appropriate personnel at the high school previously attended.  Certification can also be obtained from the school board office.  

For students that were in a BESE approved home study program for 9th and/or 10th grade, LOSFA will need a copy of the 9th and/or 10th grade Home Study Approval Notification from the Louisiana Department of Education – BESE.

Students that attended a registered nonpublic school (not seeking state approval) for 9th and/or 10th grade can provide a copy of their Registration Confirmation from BESE or a letter from their home study administrator stating the student’s dates of attendance.

Students are encouraged to begin submitting home study related documentation during their senior year, after completing the TOPS Online Application or the FAFSA. Home study documents can be submitted to LOSFA via e-mail at custserv@la.gov or mailed to LOSFA, Scholarship/Grant Division, P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA  70821-9202.

ACT Eligibility Requirements

The ACT qualifying scores for home study students are:     

  • TOPS Tech – 19  
  • TOPS Opportunity – 22     
  • TOPS Performance – 24     
  • TOPS Honors – 28

*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.  

Additional information regarding home study students can be found in our TOPS Q&A. Click here for the TOPS Q&A. Link

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