TOPS Scholarships

Northshore Technical Community College participates in the TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) program. Students who qualify for TOPS are able to utilize their scholarship funds for eligible programs at NTCC.

TOPS Scholarships are managed and awarded by NTCC's Financial Aid Office:

• NTCC Financial Aid Office Home Page

TOPS Awards and Eligibility Requirements:

Students are required to meet certain requirements in high school in order to be eligible for a TOPS award.  After students are awarded, they are required to meet detailed requirements in order to renew their award. Each award has different requirements. The different awards and their designated awards are listed below (you can click each award to connect directly to the LOSFA website to learn more):

• TOPS Tech – Full tuition (fees not included)
• TOPS Opportunity – Full tuition (fees not included)
• TOPS Performance – Full tuition (fees not included) and a $200 stipend per semester
• TOPS Honors – Full tuition (fees not included) and a $400 stipend per semester
• TOPS Tech Early Start – Provides up to $600 per academic year for any eligible 11th or 12th grade student

How to Apply:

There are two options to apply for TOPS. For specific instructions, please visit the LOSFA website: Applying for TOPS

1. Complete the TOPS Online Application which fulfills the graduation requirement as an alternative to complete the FAFSA.  The Online Application allows you to apply only for TOPS/TOPS Tech.

2.  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA allows you to apply for TOPS/TOPS Tech, other state aid, and all federal aid.

Helpful tips for TOPS:

• You are allowed up to 2 academic years of TOPS Tech and 4 academic years of TOPS Opportunity.  Funding is contingent upon appropriations by the Lousiana Legislature.
• Some programs are not covered by TOPS, so always check the LOSFA website for updates.
• Each semester you must enroll full time (12 ore more credits) as of the 14th instructional day.
• At no time (by the end of each semester) can your cumulative GPA drop below a 2.0.  If your GPA drops below a 2.0, you will be suspended from TOPS and remain under suspesion until you reestablish eligibility by earning a cumulative 2.5 GPA.  You will have one year after your TOPS award is suspended to reestablish your eligibility.    Beyond this time frame, your TOPS award will be cancelled.  During any period of TOPS suspension, you must continue enrolling full time even though you are self-paying.
• Each year by the end of the Spring semester, you must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 or higher and have passed 24 credit hours for the Academic year.
• An incomplete (I) grade makes you ineligible for TOPS until the grade is completed.  As assessment will then be done to determine eligibility; meaning, if you do not complete the (I) grade at the beginning of the next semester, you will have to pay your tuition.
• Questions?  Call TOPS at (800) 259-5626, ext. 1012.

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