Just when you thought you had your tuition problems under control, the state decides to shake things up. If you have not heard by now, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), has changed the procedure it uses to determine a student’s eligibility for TOPS.
Since the beginning of TOPS, colleges have computed and transmitted the cumulative grade point averages of TOPS recipients to the TOPS agency. However, the academic policies relating to transfer credits and the repeating of courses differed between universities. Both of these factors happen to have a direct effect on the calculation of students’ GPAs, which determine if students are still eligible to receive TOPS.
Therefore to achieve compliance with state law and to assure consistency in computing recipients’ GPAs, the agency will calculate GPAs by using the data provided by all schools to determine if they will still get TOPS.
“It is very important for students to take heed because they may have a GPA that does not match the one calculated by the school they are currently attending,” Amanda Freemin, assistant director of financial aid and university scholarships, said.
“The TOPS GPA calculated by the agency will only be used to determine continued eligibility for TOPS,” said Freemin. “It does not replace the GPA used by universities for academic standing or graduation purposes. “
On Oct. 18, 2002, GPAs were recomputed using a standard formula applicable to all students to provide a TOPS GPA. Students can review their new TOPS GPA and any other relevant information at www.osfa.state.la.us. After logging on to the website click on “TOPS” located on the left side menu, then “student.” Eligibility information will be displayed there.
If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, at the end of any semester, term, or session, his award will be suspended for failure to maintain the proper GPA. This not only includes fall and spring semesters, but also summer intersession.
The following requirements must be met at the conclusion of every spring semester.
Those who receive the TOPS Opportunity Award must earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.3 if they have less than 48 credit hours or a 2.5 if they possess 48 or more credit hours. No less than 24 credit hours are to be completed during an academic year. Credits earned during summer and intersession are not counted toward the 24 credit hour rule.
Students who receive the TOPS Performance or TOPS Honor Award must earn at least 3.0 cumulative GPA. They too may complete no less than 24 credit hours within an academic year. Credits earned during summer and intersession are not counted toward the 24 credit hour rule.
Failure to pass with 24 hours for the year will result in a student losing his TOPS award. If this happens because of not meeting the GPA requirement, the student has two years to bring up his GPA. Furthermore, he must remain in school as a full-time student while trying to bring up his grades. Summer school and intersession grades will be counted.
Greg Brumfield, criminal justice freshman from New Orleans, expressed his feelings on the TOPS changes.
“It really makes no difference to me,” said Brumfield. “I am always going to be an over achiever and I am always going to keep TOPS.”
“The changes give people more of a challenge,” said Julie Guerrera, art freshman from New Orleans. “It encourages people to work harder for their scholarship.”
A student whose TOPS has been suspended should contact the Scholarship office at (985) 448-4411 once his grades meet the requirements again. Request a grade report to be sent to the LOSFA as soon as possible.