The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now available! Whether you’re headed to a four-year university, community college, technical school, or workforce training program, completing the FAFSA® is an important step toward making your education more affordable.
Completing the FAFSA® allows you to apply for federal grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. Many colleges also use your FAFSA® information to determine eligibility for additional grants and scholarships. Grants and scholarships generally do not need to be repaid. Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll qualify for aid or what your next step will be, completing the FAFSA® can help you explore your options.
Graduating Louisiana high school seniors can also use the FAFSA® as a method to apply for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). TOPS is a merit-based scholarship for Louisiana residents who plan to attend certain universities, colleges, trade schools, or training programs in the state.
TOPS has five award levels (Opportunity, Performance, Honors, Excellence, and TOPS Tech) with different award amounts and eligibility requirements for each level. Learn more about the TOPS award by visiting https://mylosfa.la.gov/tops.
If you only want to apply for TOPS/TOPS Tech, you can submit the TOPS Online Application. However, completing the FAFSA® allows you to apply for TOPS/TOPS Tech while also being considered for federal aid and other state aid. You do not need to complete both applications..
If you have questions or need help completing the FAFSA®, email us at [email protected] or visit https://mylosfa.la.gov/losfa-assistance to register for a virtual office hour to receive one-on-one FAFSA® assistance.