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Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)
Louisiana’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a comprehensive program of state scholarships managed through Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
Students qualifying for the TOPS Tech award must be enrolled in a technical program. The Associate of Applied Science with concentrations in Process Technology, Business and or the Business Certificate are considered technical programs at Baton Rouge Community College. View LOSFA’s website at www.osfa.state.la.usfor eligibility and renewal requirements for each award.To apply for TOPS, the student should complete the FAFSA atwww.fafsa.ed.gov or the TOPS On-line Application at www.osfa.state.la.us. The FAFSA must be completed by students who qualify for federal grant aid, or by students who are seeking other forms of financial aid. The TOPS On-line application may only be completed by students who can certify that they do not qualify for federal grant aid. In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS On-line Application in lieu of the FAFSA will be the first to lose their TOPS award. To speak to a representative, call Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) at
(800) 259-5626 Ext. 1012 or in Baton Rouge 225-922-1012, or
E-mail LOSFA at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
, or
write LOSFA at P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202
Go Grant
The Louisiana Go Grant is a need-based financial aid program aimed at making college more affordable for non-traditional and low to moderate income students. Louisiana resident students who are eligible for and receive the federal Pell Grant may also be eligible for a Go Grant. The grant helps cover the difference between the actual cost of attending a public or private college in Louisiana and the amount of a student’s Pell Grant award.
In order to be eligible for a Louisiana GO Grant, a student must:
- Be a LA resident as of date of the FAFSA filing, and a
- Receiving a Federal Pell Grant.
- Have no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations.
- Be a student enrolled in an eligible Louisiana institution on a part-time or full-time basis who:
- Entered college as a first time freshman during academic year 2007-2008 or later; OR
- Entered college as a first time freshman during the 2007-08 academic year or later and have become eligible for a federal Pell grant or financial need grant after the freshman year: OR
- Be age 25 or older and have entered college as a first time freshman before the 2007-08 academic year and have had a break in enrollment of at least two consecutive semesters, not including a summer semester or term, immediately preceding the period of enrollment for which the student is being considered for receipt of a grant.
- Any student who was a first time freshman beginning with the 2007-08 academic year or later who was not initially Pell eligible, but subsequently becomes Pell eligible then also qualifies for a Go Grant award.
Financial need criteria
Financial need is based on information reported on the FAFSA. Student must have an unmet need.
Annual Award amount
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$1,000
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Full-time students (12 hours)
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$500
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Half-time students (6-11 hours)
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$250
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less than Half-time students ( less than 6 hours)
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Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP)
Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federal program that provides need-based grants to academically qualified students. Individual grants range from $200 to $2,000; the amount is determined by the financial aid officer and is governed by the number of applicants and the availability of funds at a particular school.
LEAP applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national or eligible noncitizen; and
- Register with Selective Service, if required; and
- Be a resident of Louisiana for at least one year prior to July 1 of the award year.
- Annually submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA by the deadline set by the school; and
- Have a high school diploma with at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA), or a minimum average score of 45 on the General Educational Development (GED) test, or an ACT composite score of at least 20, or a postsecondary school GPA of at least 2.00 from the most recent term; and
- Be selected and certified by the school for receipt of a LEAP Award, contingent upon final approval by LOSFA; and
- Meet any additional selection criteria established by the individual institution participating in the LEAP Program; and
- Be certified as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program at an eligible postsecondary institution; and
- Have substantial financial need of at least $199; and
- Be in compliance with the terms of other federal and state student aid programs that are administered by LASFAC, which the applicant may be receiving; and
- Not have a criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations; and
- Agree that the award proceeds will be used exclusively for educational expenses; and
- Not be in default of an educational loan.
Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (SLEAP)
Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (SLEAP) is an additional component of the LEAP Program. To participate in the SLEAP Program, a state must also participate in the LEAP Program. SLEAP awards are used to supplement LEAP awards by increasing LEAP program grant award amounts for students.
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On behalf of our faculty and staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to Baton Rouge Community College! We are delighted that you are interested in joining our community, and we look forward to helping you achieve your goals and dreams!
