Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Words and terms
not otherwise defined in this Chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to such
words and terms in this Section. Where the masculine is used in these rules, it
includes the feminine, and vice versa; where the singular is used, it includes
the plural, and vice versa. The term "the board" refers to the Louisiana Board
of Regents.
ACT Score-the highest composite score
achieved by the student on the official ACT test (including national,
international, military or special test types) or an equivalent score, as
determined by the comparison tables used by the board, on an equivalent
scholastic aptitude test (SAT). ACT or SAT test scores which are unofficial,
including so-called "residual" test scores, are not acceptable for purposes of
determining program eligibility.
Academic Year
(College)-begins with the fall term of the award year and
concludes immediately before the next fall term commences unless specifically
provided otherwise in these rules. All intersessions and summer sessions are
included.
Academic Year (High
School)-the annual academic year for high school begins on September 1
of the fall term, includes the winter, spring, and summer terms and ends on the
next August 31. This definition is not to be confused with the Louisiana
Department of Education's definition of school year, which is found in
Louisiana Department of Education Bulletin 741.
Academic Year
(TOPS)-
a. for
students who are eligible for a TOPS Opportunity, Performance or Honors Award:
i. through the 2007-2008 academic year, the
two-and four-year college and university academic year begins with the fall
term of the award year, includes the winter term, if applicable, and concludes
with the completion of the spring term of the award year. Intersessions ending
during the academic year are included in the academic year. The two- and
four-year college and university academic year does not include summer sessions
or intersessions that do not end during the academic year;
ii. during the 2008-2009 academic year, the
academic year begins with the fall term of the award year, includes the winter
term, if applicable, and concludes with the completion of the intersession
immediately following the spring term of the award year. Intersessions ending
during the academic year, including the intersession immediately following the
spring term, are included in the academic year. The two- and four-year college
and university academic year does not include summer sessions or other
intersessions;
iii. during the
2009-2010 and 2010-2011 academic years, the academic year begins with the fall
term of the award year and concludes with the completion of the spring term of
the award year or the intersession immediately following the spring term if
such intersession ends no later than June 15, whichever is later. Any
intersession or term that begins and ends during the academic year is included.
The two- and four-year college and university academic year does not include
other intersessions or summer sessions. See the definition of intersession
below;
iv. beginning with the
2011-2012 academic year and thereafter, the academic year begins with the fall
term of the award year and concludes immediately before the next fall term
commences. All intersessions and summer sessions are
included;
b. for students
who are eligible for a TOPS Tech Award, the academic year begins with the fall
term of the award year and concludes immediately before the next fall term
commences. All intersessions and summer sessions are included.
Application to Return from an Out-of-State
College-a form that must be submitted by students who first enroll
full time in an accredited out-of-state college or university and who then
return to an eligible Louisiana college or university and want to apply for
TOPS eligibility
Articulated Courses for College
Credit-courses offered by the Louisiana School for Math, Science and
the Arts for which eligible Louisiana colleges have agreed to give college
credit if the student successfully completes the course and attends a
participating college.
Average Award Amount
(TOPS-Tech)-is applicable to those students awarded the
TOPS-Tech and TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards who attend an
institutionally accredited independent college or university in Louisiana that
is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities or who attend an eligible cosmetology or proprietary school and
are enrolled in a vocational, technical education certificate or diploma
program or non-academic undergraduate degree program, and is determined by
dividing the total dollar value of awards, which are made to students enrolled
in the same types of programs in the 20162017 academic year (TOPS) at eligible
public colleges and universities that do not offer academic degrees at the
baccalaureate level, by the total number of students that received the
awards.
Award Amount-
a. through the 2015-2016 academic year
(college), an amount equal to tuition at the school attended, for those
students attending a Louisiana public college or university, as determined by
the board, which may be used by the student to pay any educational expense
included in that student's "cost of attendance." The amount paid for TOPS and
TOPS-Tech Awards shall be as follows:
i. for
students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a
Louisiana public college or university and enrolled in an academic degree
program, the amount shall equal the actual cost of tuition;
ii. for students with the TOPS Opportunity,
Performance, and Honors Award attending an institutionally accredited
independent college or university in Louisiana that is a member of the
Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities or an
out-of-state college or university if all of the conditions of
§703.I are met and
enrolled in an academic degree program, the amount shall equal the weighted
average award amount;
iii. for
students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending a
Louisiana public college or university and enrolled in a program for a
vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a non-academic
undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the actual cost of
tuition;
iv. for students with the
TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending an institutionally
accredited independent college or university in Louisiana that is a member of
the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities or who
attend an eligible cosmetology or proprietary school and enrolled in a program
for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a
non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the average award
amount (TOPS-Tech);
v. for students
with the TOPS-Tech Award attending an eligible public college or university
that does not offer an academic undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level
or higher and enrolled in a program for a vocational or technical education
certificate or diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall
equal the actual cost of tuition;
vi. for students with a TOPS-Tech Award
attending an eligible college or university that offers an academic
undergraduate degree at the baccalaureate level or higher and enrolled in a
program for a vocational or technical education certificate or diploma or a
non-academic undergraduate degree, the amount shall equal the average award
amount (TOPS-Tech);
vii. for
students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award enrolled in a
Louisiana professional school, the amount shall be equal to the tuition charged
or the tuition charged a student pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the highest
cost public school, whichever is less or the weighted average award amount,
depending upon whether the Louisiana professional school is a public or private
school;
viii. for students with the
TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Award enrolled in a Louisiana graduate
degree program, the amount shall be equal to the tuition or the tuition charged
for a student while pursuing a baccalaureate degree at the highest cost public
school in the state, whichever is less;
b. beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year
(college), the award amount determined by the board in accordance with
Subparagraph a.i-viii above during the 2016-2017 academic year (college), plus
any increase in the award amount specifically authorized by the Louisiana
Legislature.
Award Year-the academic year (TOPS) during
which a TOPS Award is paid.
BESE-Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education, elected and appointed body with statutory oversight of Louisiana
special, elementary and secondary schools.
Cost of Attendance-the total amount it will
cost a student to go to school, usually expressed as an academic year figure.
This cost is determined by the school in compliance with title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, as amended, and is annually updated and adopted by the
institution. The cost of education covers tuition and fees, on-campus room and
board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students) and allowances
for books, supplies, transportation, childcare, costs related to a disability,
and miscellaneous expenses. Also included are reasonable costs for eligible
programs of study abroad. An allowance (determined by the school) is included
for reasonable costs connected with a student's employment as part of a
cooperative education program.
Court-Ordered Custodian-an adult appointed
by a court of competent jurisdiction to have custody and care of a minor, and
who demonstrates the requirement to provide the primary support for such
minor.
Dependent Student-a student who is dependent
on his parents for support and therefore is required to include parental
information on the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) or renewal
FAFSA.
Disabled Student-a student who has one or
more learning, visual, hearing, or physical disabilities diagnosed by a person
licensed or certified to diagnose such disability, when the diagnosis states
the need for the student to be provided special accommodations relative to the
curriculum requirement.
Dual Enrollment Course-a course for which
both high school and college credit may be granted.
Eligible Colleges or
Universities-Louisiana public colleges or universities and
institutionally accredited independent colleges or universities in the state
that are members of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities; for recipients of the TOPS Tech Award only, beginning with the
2009-2010 academic year (TOPS), and for recipients of the TOPS Tech,
Opportunity, Performance and Honors Award, beginning with the 20102011 academic
year (TOPS), any school that has a valid and current certificate of
registration issued by the state Board of Cosmetology in accordance with law
and that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United
States Department of Education and any proprietary school that has a valid and
current license issued by the board in accordance with law and that is
accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States
Department of Education.
Eligible Cosmetology or Proprietary School-a
cosmetology or proprietary school that is included as an eligible college or
university in this Section.
Eligible Noncitizen-
a. an individual who can provide
documentation from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or its
successor that he is in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose with the
intention of becoming a citizen or permanent resident, including, but not
limited to, refugees, persons granted asylum, Cuban-Haitian entrants, temporary
residents under the recent Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and
others. A permanent resident of the United States must provide documentation
from the USCIS to verify permanent residency. For 1997, 1998 and 1999 high
school graduates, an eligible noncitizen shall be treated as meeting the
citizenship requirements for an award under this Part;
b. beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year
(high school) and later, a student who is not a citizen of the United States
but who is the child of a non-United States citizen who is either serving in
any branch of the United States Armed Forces or has been honorably discharged
from any branch of the United States Armed Forces shall be treated as meeting
the citizenship requirements for an award under this Part.
Eligible Non-Graduate-a student who has not
graduated from high school or completed a home study program approved by BESE,
but who meets all the criteria listed in
§703.A.5.g
Eligible Non-Louisiana High School and
Eligible Out-of-State High School and Eligible
Out-of-Country High School-see
§1701.A.3 4, and
1701.A.5, respectively.
Exceptional Child-a student defined as an
exceptional child in accordance with
R.S.
17:1943(4), excluding gifted
and talented.
Expected Family Contribution
(EFC)-an amount, determined by a formula established by
Congress, that indicates how much of a family's financial resources should be
available to help pay for the student's cost of attendance. Factors such as
taxable and nontaxable income, assets (such as savings and checking accounts),
and benefits (for example, unemployment or Social Security) are all considered
in this calculation.
Fee Schedule-a listing of the actual tuition
and mandatory fees for attendance at a post-secondary school as defined by the
institution.
First-Time Freshman-a student who is awarded
TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors and enrolls for the first time as a
full-time freshman in an academic program in a post-secondary school subsequent
to high school graduation, and is enrolled full-time at the end of the
fourteenth class day or later (ninth class day or later for Louisiana Tech) or
enrolls for the first time, full-time in a Louisiana public community or
technical college that offers a vocational or technical education certificate
or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree to pursue a skill,
occupational training, or technical training subsequent to high school
graduation, and is enrolled full-time at the end of the fourteenth class day or
later (ninth class day or later for term and quarter institutions). A student
who is awarded TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors and begins in an
academic program in a post-secondary college or university in a summer session
will be considered a first-time freshman for the immediately succeeding fall
term. A student who is awarded TOPS Opportunity, Performance, or Honors and
begins in a non-academic program in a post-secondary school in a summer term
will be considered a first-time freshman at the time of such enrollment. The
fact that a student enrolls in a post-secondary school prior to graduation from
high school and/or enrolls less than fulltime in a post-secondary school prior
to the required date for full-time enrollment shall not preclude the student
from being a first-time freshman.
First- Time Student-
a. for students graduating through the
2015-2016 academic year (high school), a student who is awarded TOPS-Tech and
enrolls for the first time, full-time in a Louisiana public community or
technical college that offers a vocational or technical education certificate
or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree to pursue a skill,
occupational training, or technical training subsequent to high school
graduation, and is enrolled fulltime at the end of the fourteenth class day or
later (ninth class day or later for quarter schools). The fact that a student
who is eligible for a TOPS-Tech Award enrolls in an academic program at a
post-secondary school prior or subsequent to graduation from high school, but
prior to the required date for full-time enrollment in a Louisiana public
community or technical college that offers a vocational or technical education
certificate or diploma program or a non-academic undergraduate degree, shall
not preclude the student from being a first-time student;
b. for students graduating in the 2016-2017
academic year (high school) or later, a student who is eligible for a TOPS-Tech
Award and enrolls for the first time, full-time in an eligible college or
university in an associate's degree or other shorter-term training and
education program that is aligned to state workforce priorities as determined
by the board and the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council and is enrolled
full-time at the end of the fourteenth class day or later (ninth class day or
later for quarter schools).
Full-Time Student-
a. a student enrolled in an institution of
higher education who is carrying a full-time academic workload as determined by
the school under the standards applicable to all students enrolled;
b. for continuation purposes, a student must
be enrolled full-time at the end of the fourteenth class day or later at a
semester school or the ninth class day or later at a quarter or term
school;
c. for continuation
purposes, a student is considered to have met the full-time requirement if by
the completion of the academic year he has earned at least 24 hours of total
credit as reported by the institution for the fall and spring semesters at
institutions defining 12 semester hours as the minimum for standing as a
full-time undergraduate or as reported by the institution for the fall, winter
and spring quarters at institutions defining 8 quarter hours as the minimum for
standing as a full-time undergraduate. For purposes of TOPS and except where
specified otherwise within these rules, a student shall be credited for hours
earned as reported by the institution which the student attends in accordance
with that institution's published policies. Students should be aware that these
policies may differ depending on the school the student attends (see
§705.A A, and 907.A for
more expanded TOPS requirements);
d. for programs which permit graduate study,
a graduate student must have earned at least 18 hours of total credit during
the fall, winter and spring terms;
e. a student enrolled in two or more
institutions of higher education when such multiple enrollment is necessary for
the student to gain access to the courses required for completion of the degree
in the chosen discipline and where the total number of hours earned at all
institutions during the academic year is the equivalent of carrying a full-time
academic workload as determined by the institution which will award the
degree;
f. correspondence courses
may not be used to establish full-time status;
g. a student enrolled in an eligible
cosmetology or proprietary school who is considered by the school to be
enrolled full-time on a billing date as provided in
§1903. B.2.b
Gifted Course-a course developed and
provided to fulfill an individualized education program for a student who has
been deemed to be gifted pursuant to
R.S.
17:1941 et seq., as implemented in state
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy
High School Graduate-for the purposes of
these rules, is defined as a student certified by award of a high school
diploma to have satisfactorily completed the required units at a high school
meeting the eligibility requirements of these rules or a student who has
completed a BESE-approved home study program in accordance with the
requirements of this Chapter and has reported such to BESE. A student who
graduates at any time during an academic year (high school) shall be deemed to
have graduated on May 31 of that year for the purpose of applying deadlines.
For the purpose of determining when a student must begin post-secondary
enrollment, all students that report completion of an approved home study
program to BESE during an academic year (high school) are deemed to have
graduated on May 31 of that year.
Honors Courses-a rigorous high school course
used to complete the TOPS core curriculum approved as an honors course for
grading on a 5.00 scale by BESE and the board.
Honors Curriculum Courses-any course
designated by the respective school district as advanced placement, honors or
gifted.
Independent Student-a student who meets at
least one of the criteria listed in Subparagraphs a-f or has been determined
independent by a financial aid officer exercising professional judgment in
accordance with applicable provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as
amended:
a. reached 24 years of age
prior to January of the year preceding the academic year for which the student
is applying for aid;
b. is a
veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a student who was activated to
serve in Operation Desert Storm;
c.
is an orphan or a ward of the court or was a ward of the court until age
18;
d. has legal dependents other
than a spouse;
e. is a graduate or
professional student;
f. is
married.
Intersession-
a. during the 2008-2009 academic year, an
academic term between regular semesters/terms that provides credit courses to
students in an intensive, condensed format;
b. beginning with the 2009-2010 academic
year, any academic term that provides credit courses to students in an
intensive, condensed format that is no longer than 15 class days.
Join-enters on active duty.
Legal Guardian-
a. an adult appointed by a court of competent
jurisdiction to have custody and care of a minor, and who demonstrates the
requirement to provide the primary support for such minor. Also referred to as
a court-ordered custodian;
b. for
the purposes of consenting to the collection and disclosure of personally
identifying information, the student's parent, legal guardian, or other person
responsible for the student.
Louisiana Resident-
a. any independent student or any dependent
student with at least one parent or court-ordered custodian who has resided in
the state for a minimum of 24 consecutive months immediately preceding the
month of high school graduation or the month of May in the academic year (high
school) that a student completes a home study program or some other period of
residency which is required to qualify the person for a specific program
administered by the board. To qualify for a program under Part IV of these the
application form, the board may require an independent student applicant or the
parent(s) or court-ordered custodian of a dependent student applicant to show
proof of residency. Residency may be established by completion of a standard
affidavit developed by the board. Such affidavits must be completed in their
entirety by the independent student applicant or by at least one parent or
court-ordered custodian of the dependent student applicant and be sworn to and
notarized by a licensed notary public. Further, the affiant shall be required
to submit records in support of the affidavit to include the following records
and such other records as may be required by the board:
i. if registered to vote, a Louisiana voters
registration card; and
ii. if
licensed to drive a motor vehicle, a Louisiana driver's license; and
iii. if owning a motor vehicle located in
Louisiana, a Louisiana registration for that vehicle; and
iv. if earning a reportable income, a
Louisiana tax return;
b.
any member of the Armed Forces on active duty whose official state of legal
residence is Louisiana as demonstrated by the member's DD Form 2058 validated
by the member's military personnel officer or other documentary proof and who
has filed a Louisiana tax return for the most recent two years in compliance
with Clause a.iv above;
c. any
member of the Armed Forces who is stationed in Louisiana under permanent change
of station orders and who, not later than 180 days after reporting to such
station, changes his military DD Form 2058 to reflect Louisiana as his state of
legal residence, and complies with all Louisiana income tax laws and
regulations while stationed in Louisiana. A copy of the permanent change of
station (PCS) orders and a DD Form 2058 validated by the member's military
personnel officer and showing Louisiana as the member's state of legal
residence must be submitted to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial
Assistance (LOSFA) at the time the service member's dependent applies for TOPS.
The DD Form 2058 must reflect that it was filed within 180 days after the
member reported to duty at a duty station in Louisiana;
d.
i.
through the 2014-2015 academic year, a parent or court-ordered custodian who is
living outside the United States and its territories, is actively engaged in
work or another activity on behalf of a Louisiana employer or sponsor, and is
not on active duty with the United States armed forces, may meet the residency
requirement for dependent students by providing a sworn affidavit with
supporting evidence that the parent or court-ordered custodian complies with
all of the following:
(a). was a resident of
Louisiana who actually lived in Louisiana for at least the 24 months preceding
the date he started the work or activity outside the United States and its
territories;
(b). was assigned
duties outside the United States and its territories by a Louisiana employer or
sponsor and continues to be employed by the employer or perform duties for the
sponsor through the date of the student's graduation from high school or
completion of a home study program approved by BESE;
(c). has remained a resident of Louisiana
through the date of the student's graduation from high school or completion of
a home study program approved by BESE. Evidence may include a Louisiana voters
registration card, a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana registration for
an owned vehicle, a Louisiana tax return, notarized affidavits, copies of
correspondence from the employer or sponsor providing the reason for living
outside the United States and its territories and the time period of the work
or activity, copies of visas, copies of foreign housing documentation, and
copies of other documents that demonstrate a presence in Louisiana or a foreign
country during the required period of time;
ii. beginning with the 2023-2024 academic
year, a parent or court-ordered custodian who is living outside the United
States and its territories may meet the residency requirement for dependent
students by providing a sworn affidavit with supporting evidence that the
parent or court-ordered custodian complies with all of the following:
(a). was a resident of Louisiana who actually
lived in Louisiana for at least the 24 months preceding the date he began
living outside the United States or its territories;
(b). he is not on active duty with the United
State Armed Forces; and
(c). has
remained a resident of Louisiana through the date of the student's graduation
from high school or completion of a home study program approved by BESE.
Evidence may include a Louisiana voters registration card, a Louisiana driver's
license, a Louisiana registration for an owned vehicle, Louisiana tax returns,
notarized affidavits, copies of visas, copies of foreign housing documentation,
and copies of other documents that demonstrate a presence in Louisiana or a
foreign country during the required period of time.
e. effective for high
school graduates beginning with academic year (high school) 2002-2003, any
independent or dependent student who actually resides in Louisiana during his
last two full years of high school. In order to qualify pursuant to this
Subsection, the student's high school transcript must reflect that the student
earned credit for the last four semesters of high school immediately prior to
graduation and graduated from an approved Louisiana high school;
f. effective for high school graduates
beginning with academic year (high school) 2000-2001, any dependent student who
actually resided in Louisiana during his last two full years of high school and
whose parent is a member of the United States Armed Forces living in Louisiana
under permanent change of station orders, but who does not claim Louisiana as
his official state of legal residence. In order to qualify pursuant to this
Subsection, the student's high school transcript must reflect that the student
earned credit for the last four semesters of high school immediately prior to
graduation and graduated from an approved Louisiana high school;
g. effective for high school graduates of
academic year (high school) 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, any dependent student who
was continuously enrolled in a Louisiana public high school or nonpublic high
school that is approved by BESE during his last two full years of high school,
whose parent or court-ordered custodian:
i.
is a resident of a state that adjoins Louisiana; and
ii. actually resides in a county that adjoins
a Louisiana parish having a population greater than 41,600 and less than 42,400
according to the federal 2000 census; and
iii. has filed a Louisiana state income tax
return and complied with state income tax laws and regulations; or
iv. is assessed ad valorem taxes on property
owned in Louisiana;
v. in order to
qualify pursuant to this Subsection, the student's high school transcript must
reflect that the student earned credit for the last four semesters of high
school immediately prior to graduation and graduated from an approved Louisiana
high school.
h. for any
dependent student graduating from an out-of-state high school during the
2006-2007 academic year (high school) whose parent or court-ordered custodian
was a member of the United States armed forces who, in the year 2006, moved
from Louisiana under permanent change of station orders and retired from the
armed forces, and changed his military personnel records to reflect a change of
his state of legal residence from Louisiana to another state, shall meet the
requirements of this Item, provided that such parent or court-ordered custodian
changes his military personnel records from the other state to reestablish
Louisiana as his state of legal residence no later than July 1, 2007, and has
filed a Louisiana state income tax return for the two years preceding the date
of the dependent's graduation from high school.
Merit-Ranking Formula-a mathematical
equation incorporating selected merit factors that is used to rank eligible
applicants in the priority by which initial competitive scholarships are to be
awarded. As of July 1, 1997, the TOPS Teacher Award and Rockefeller State
Wildlife Scholarship are the only programs in which applicants are
competitively ranked. The following formulas for the merit-ranking of
scholarship applicants provide for the equating of scores for high school
graduating seniors and college students.
a. Formula I-applies to applicants for the
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship with less than 24 hours of graded
college credit and to applicants for the TOPS Teacher Award with less than 48
hours of graded college credit:
Click
here to view image
b. Formula IA-applies to applicants for the
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship who are qualified home study completers
with less than 24 hours of graded college credit:
Click
here to view image
c. Formula II-applies to applicants for the
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship with 24 or more hours of graded college
credit and to applicants for the TOPS Teacher Award with 48 or more hours of
graded college credit:
Click
here to view image
d. Formula III-applies to applicants for the
TOPS Teacher Award. For those applicants majoring in math or chemistry, an
additional 10 points are added to the merit score determined by formula I or
II, resulting in an adjusted merit score.
e. Applicants' merit scores are ranked in
descending order with the applicant with the highest merit score ranked first.
The number of applicants selected for award is dependent upon the amount of
award funds available.
f. In the
event of a tie, the eligible applicants will be ranked based on the following
criteria in the order listed:
i. the
applicant with more college hours earned; or
ii. the student with the highest ACT (or
equivalent SAT) score.
Monetary Repayment-for purposes of the
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship and TOPS Teacher Award programs,
repaying the scholarship funding received, plus any interest accrued under the
terms of the promissory note signed by the recipient, if the recipient fails to
fulfill the terms of the program. See repayment.
On-Line Application-submission of a request
for a TOPS eligibility determination via the LOSFA TOPS website. If the
applicant does not submit a FAFSA, the on-line application will require the
student to declare that he can demonstrate that he is not eligible for federal
grant aid.
Orphan-a person who does not live with
either parent because the parent(s) is/are dead or has/have abandoned him or
the parental rights of the parent(s) has/have been severed by competent
authority.
Over Award-for the purposes of LAC 28:IV, an
over award occurs when a student received financial aid in excess of the cost
of attendance as established in accordance with federal title IV regulations or
an award under state programs to which the student was not entitled.
Personally Identifiable Information or
PII-personal information about an individual that can be used
on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single
individual.
Qualified Summer Session-those summer
sessions (includes terms and semesters conducted during the summer) for which
the student's institution certifies that:
a. the summer session is required in the
student's degree program for graduation and the student enrolled for at least
the minimum number of hours required for the degree program for the session;
or
b. the student can complete his
program's graduation requirements in the summer session; or
c. the course(s) taken during the summer
session is required for graduation in the program in which the student is
enrolled and is only offered during the summer session; or
d. the course(s) taken during the summer
session is in a program for a vocational or technical education certificate or
diploma or a non-academic undergraduate degree; or
e. for the summer of 2006 only, the student
is a displaced student as identified in
§2103.G.1 of these
rules, whose TOPS Award was not paid for one or more semesters during the
2005-2006 academic year; or
f.
beginning with the summer of 2010, prior to the beginning of the summer
session, the student:
i. has at least 60
academic college credit hours;
ii.
has enrolled as a full-time student for the summer session; and
iii. has signed a form provided by LOSFA:
(a). requesting payment for the summer
session from the student's remaining TOPS eligibility;
(b). stating the student understands that the
use of the TOPS Award for the summer session reduces the student's TOPS
eligibility by one semester or term; and
(c). stating the student understands that the
grades earned during the summer session will be included in the student's
cumulative grade point average.
Refund-a refund of school charges that the
school makes to a student or to a creditor on behalf of the student, usually
after the student has withdrawn from school. The refund to the student is the
difference between the amount the student paid toward school charges minus the
amount the school keeps for the portion of the payment period that the student
was enrolled.
Repayment-the amount of the cash
disbursement that a student must pay back to the school if the student
withdraws from the program. If the cash disbursement was greater than the
student's cost of attendance (student's education costs above and beyond the
amount of tuition and fees) up to the withdrawal date, the student must repay
the excess amount. The actual amount of the refund/repayment is determined
according to the school's policy in accordance with federal regulations. See
monetary repayment.
Reporting Institution-the post-secondary
institution required by
§1903.A of these rules
to report a student's college/university cumulative grade point average.
Returning Student-a student who graduated
from high school beginning with academic year (high school):
a. 2001-2002, and met all the academic
requirements for a TOPS Award, but who enrolled for the first time as a
full-time student no later than the deadline established in
§703.A.4 in an
out-of-state postsecondary institution accredited by an institutional
accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of
Education and, thereafter, returns to Louisiana and enrolls as a full-time
student in an eligible college or university; or
b. who was determined eligible for a TOPS
Opportunity, Performance or Honors Award and enrolled for the first time as a
full-time student no later than the deadline established in
§703.A.4 in an eligible
college or university in Louisiana, subsequently enrolled in an out-of-state
postsecondary institution accredited by an institutional accrediting
organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and,
thereafter, returns to Louisiana and enrolls as a full-time student in an
eligible college or university during or after the 2009-2010 academic year
(TOPS).
Selective Enrollment Program-a course of
study with competitive admissions based on a student's qualifications including
successful completion of required college courses and a minimum college
cumulative grade point average. Examples of selective enrollment programs
include, but are not limited to, medical technology, nursing, occupational
therapy, physical therapy, and radiation technology.
Skill and Occupational Training-
a. any and all certificate, diploma,
associate of applied technology, and associate of applied science programs
offered by eligible colleges/universities;
b. any coordinated and comprehensive course
of study offered by eligible colleges/universities which qualifies a student
upon completion to sit for testing leading to and/or meeting national and/or
state professional/occupational licensure and/or certification requirements;
and
c. any training leading to an
industry-based certification, a certificate of applied science or a certificate
of technical sciences approved by the Workforce Investment Council offered by a
provider recognized by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Steady Academic Progress-the maintenance of
a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, except at
eligible cosmetology or proprietary schools, where it is meeting the federal
grant aid requirement for steady academic progress at that school.
Substantial Financial Need-for purposes of
the LEAP (formerly SSIG) Program only, substantial financial need is the
difference between the student's cost of attendance and the sum of that
student's expected family contribution (EFC), plus other student aid the
student is due to receive. The difference thus computed must exceed
$199.
TOPS Cumulative Grade Point Average
(Academic)-through the 2014-15 academic year (TOPS), the grade
point average calculated by LOSFA on all academic courses taken by a student at
postsecondary institutions to determine whether the student has maintained
steady academic progress and whether the student has met the minimum grade
point average required to maintain eligibility for continuation of a TOPS
Award. The cumulative grade point average shall be calculated on a 4.00 scale
and must include all academic courses from all postsecondary institutions
attended for which the student has been awarded a grade. Academic courses taken
at a college or university while the student was still in high school and at
postsecondary institutions other than the institution at which the student is
currently enrolled must be included in the calculation. Grades earned in
non-academic courses and courses taken on a pass/fail basis are not considered
in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.
TOPS Cumulative Grade Point Average
(Non-Academic)-through the 2014-15 academic year (TOPS), the
grade point average calculated by LOSFA on all non-academic courses taken by a
student at postsecondary institutions to determine whether the student has
maintained steady academic progress and whether the student has met the minimum
grade point average required to maintain eligibility for continuation of a TOPS
Award. The cumulative grade point average shall be calculated on a 4.00 scale
and must include all non-academic courses from all postsecondary institutions
attended for which the student has been awarded a grade. Non-academic courses
taken at a college or university while the student was still in high school and
at postsecondary institutions other than the institution at which the student
is currently enrolled must be included in the calculation. Grades earned in
academic courses and courses taken on a pass/fail basis are not considered in
the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.
TOPS Cumulative Grade Point Average
(Opportunity, Performance, Honors)-beginning with the 2015-16
academic year (TOPS), the grade point average for students with the TOPS
Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards shall be calculated by LOSFA on all
courses taken by a student at postsecondary institutions.
a. These courses shall include those taken at
postsecondary institutions while the student was still in high school and at
postsecondary institutions other than the institution at which the student is
currently enrolled.
b. The average
for these courses shall be calculated on a 4.00 scale and shall include all
courses for which the student has been awarded a grade. The average shall not
include courses graded on a pass/fail basis.
c. This average will be used to determine
whether the student has maintained steady academic progress and whether the
student has met the minimum grade point average required to maintain
eligibility for continuation of a TOPS Opportunity, Performance or Honors
Award.
TOPS Cumulative Grade Point Average
(TOPS Tech)-beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year (TOPS)
the grade point average for a student with the TOPS Tech Award shall be
calculated by LOSFA on all courses taken by a student at postsecondary
institutions while enrolled in a skill, occupational or technical
program.
a. These courses shall
include all those taken in skill, occupational or technical programs at
postsecondary institutions while the student was still in high school and at
postsecondary institutions other than the institution at which the student is
currently enrolled.
b. The average
for these courses shall be calculated on a 4.00 scale and shall include all
courses while enrolled in a skill, occupational or technical program for which
the student has been awarded a grade. The average shall not include courses
graded on a pass/fail basis.
c.
This average will be used to determine whether the student has maintained
steady academic progress and whether the student has met the minimum grade
point average required to maintain eligibility for continuation of a TOPS Tech
Award.
TOPS Cumulative High School Grade Point
Average-
a. effective for
high school graduates beginning with academic year (high school) 2002-2003, the
grade point average calculated by LOSFA including only the grades achieved in
those courses that were used to satisfy core curriculum requirements. In the
event a student has received credit for more than 16.5 hours of courses that
are included in the core curriculum, the TOPS cumulative high school grade
point average shall be calculated by using the course in each core curriculum
category for which the student received the highest grade. For example, if a
student has taken more than one advanced mathematics course, the cumulative
grade point average shall be determined by using only the course in which the
student has received the highest grade;
b. effective for high school graduates
beginning with academic year (high school) 2002-2003, the grade point average
for students qualifying for a Performance Award using a minimum ACT score of 24
and a minimum grade point average of 3.00 must include at least 10 units of
honors curriculum courses (see
§703.A.5.f ii);
c. effective for high school graduates
beginning with academic year (high school) 2007-2008, the grade point average
shall be calculated on 17.5 hours of units of courses that are used to satisfy
the core curriculum;
d. effective
for high school graduates beginning with academic year (high school) 2013-2014,
the grade point average shall be calculated on 19.0 hours of units of courses
that are used to satisfy the core curriculum;
e. effective for high school graduates
through academic year (high school) 2016-2017, for those high schools that
utilize other than a 4.00 scale, all grade values shall be converted to a 4.00
scale utilizing the following formula:
Click
here to view image
For example, if a school awards a maximum of 5 points for
honors courses, the school must use the following formula to convert an honors
course grade of "C":
Click
here to view image
By cross multiplying,
Click
here to view image
Quality points = Credit for course multiplied by the value
assigned to the letter grade.
f. effective for high school graduates
beginning with academic year (high school) 2017-2018, the TOPS cumulative grade
point average will be calculated by dividing the total number of quality points
earned on the courses used to complete the TOPS core curriculum by the total
units earned to complete the TOPS core curriculum.
Quality points equal the credit for the course multiplied by
the value assigned to the letter grade.
The quality points for courses used to complete the TOPS core
curriculum, except for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Gifted
and Talented, Honors, Articulated Courses for College Credit and Dual
Enrollment courses approved by the board and BESE, used to complete the TOPS
core curriculum on a 5.00 scale, shall be converted to a 4.00 scale utilizing
the following formula:
An "A" shall equal 4.0.
A "B" shall equal 3.0.
A "C" shall equal 2.0.
A "D" shall equal 1.0.
An "F" shall equal zero (0.0).
The quality points for Advanced Placement, International
Baccalaureate, Gifted and Talented, Honors, Articulated Courses for College
Credit and Dual Enrollment courses approved by the board and BESE used to
complete the TOPS core curriculum shall be converted to a 5.00 scale as
follows:
An "A" shall equal 5.0.
A "B" shall equal 4.0.
A "C" shall equal 3.0.
A "D" shall equal 2.0.
An "F" shall equal zero (0.0).
Talented Course-a course developed and
provided to fulfill an individualized education program for a student who has
been deemed to be gifted pursuant to
R.S.
17:1941 et seq., as implemented in state
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education policy.
Tuition-
a. through the fall semester or term and
winter quarter of the 2010-2011 award year, the fee charged each student by a
post-secondary institution to cover the student's share of the cost of
instruction, including all other mandatory enrollment fees charged to all
students except for the technology fee authorized by Act 1450 of the 1997
Regular Session of the Legislature:
i. which
were in effect as of January 1, 1998;
ii. any changes in the cost of instruction
authorized by the legislature and implemented by the institution after that
date; and
iii. for programs with
alternative scheduling formats that are approved in writing by the board after
that date. Any payment for enrollment in one of these programs shall count
towards the student's maximum eligibility for his award:
(a). up to the equivalent of eight full-time
semesters of postsecondary education in full-time semesters for the TOPS
Opportunity, Performance and Honors Award; or
(b). up to the equivalent of two years of
postsecondary education in full-time semesters and summer sessions for the TOPS
Tech Award;
b.
beginning with the spring semester, quarter or term of the 2010-2011 award year
and through the spring semester, quarter, or term of the 2012-2013 award year;
i. the tuition and mandatory fees authorized
in Subparagraph a above; or
ii. the
tuition fee amount published by the postsecondary institution, whichever is
greater;
c. beginning
with the fall semester, quarter, or term of the 2013-2014 award year, the
tuition amount as of August 1, 2013, published by the postsecondary institution
for the 2013-2014 award year for paying students;
d. beginning with the fall semester, quarter,
or term of the 2014-2015 award year, the tuition amount as of August 1, 2013,
published by the postsecondary institution for the 2013-2014 award year for
paying students, plus any increase authorized by the legislature which is not
attributable to any fees. No fees or increases attributable to fees of any kind
shall be included in the TOPS Award amount. Stipends for TOPS Performance and
Honors Awards shall not be included in the TOPS Award amount.
Undergraduate Student-a student who has not
completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree program.
Weighted Average Award Amount-for those
students with the TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Award attending an
institutionally accredited independent college or university in this state
which is a member of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities and enrolled in an academic program, the total dollar value of
awards made under TOPS in the 2016-2017 academic year, excluding award
stipends, to students attending public colleges and universities that offer
academic degrees at the baccalaureate level, divided by the total number of
students that received the awards
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
17:3021-3031,
R.S.
17:3042.1 and
R.S.
17:5001 et
seq.
