• My Financial Aid
• Grants
  • Pell Grant
  • FSEOG
  • LEAP
  • ACG
  • Go Grant
• Work Study
• Stafford Loans
  • Stafford Subsidized Loans
  • Stafford Unsubsidized Loans
  • Preferred Lender List
  • Entrance Counseling
  • Exit Counseling
• Preferred Lenders
• PLUS Loans
• State Aid
• Institution Aid
• Scholarships
  • BPCC Tuition Waivers
  • Talent Scholarships
  • Foundation Scholarships
  • TOPS
  • Other Aid Sources
• How to Apply
• Forms and Policies
• Important Information
• Terms
• Definitions
• Contact Information
• Links
• Home

State financial aid and scholarship programs are administered through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).  Detailed information regarding LOSFA’s Program is available in the Louisiana Financial Aid Handbook and on the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) website.(Click on "TOPS Portal").

Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Programs for Students (TOPS)

BPCC participates in the LOSFA-administered state tuition program known as TOPS. TOPS is a merit-based scholarship program. LOSFA compiles a master roster that is updated weekly. The master roster identifies students who are eligible for TOPS based on FAFSA information, high school core curriculum requirements, ACT scores, and GPA. BPCC receives this roster and applies the TOPS award to the student accounts of students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at BPCC (based on FAFSA information).

Students are strongly encouraged to reapply annually for TOPS by completing the FAFSA or renewal FAFSA. Students must complete the FAFSA annually if they qualify for federal grant aid. In the event of a budget shortfall, students who do not reapply by submitting a FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA will be the first to lose their TOPS award. Students who are receiving other forms of financial aid must submit the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year to continue receiving aid. Students should check their renewal status by creating an account on the TOPS Portal at www.osfa.state.la.us.LOSFA will not send TOPS award renewal letters. The deadline for TOPS renewal is July 1

Retaining Your TOPS award

As a TOPS recipient you must be continuously enrolled as a full-time student during each academic year. You MUST earn (pass) 24 hours each academic year to retain their TOPS award. Failure to earn 24 hours will result in cancellation of your TOPS award unless you are granted an exception for cause.

Credit hours earned during the summer term do not account toward the academic year requirement of 24 credit hours. Only TOPS Tech recipients can use hours earned in the summer sessions to meet their 24 hour per academic year requirement.

Cancellation vs. Suspension

When a TOPS award is suspended for GPA or Steady Academic Progress, students have an opportunity to have their award reinstated once they have re-attained the minimum required cumulative GPA provided the period of ineligibility does not exceed two years (one year for the TOPS-Tech Award or a student using an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award to pursue a technical program).

Cancellation of an award due to hours is permanent unless a student is granted an exception. Students must apply for an exception within 6 months of the award cancellation date. If the exception is approved, it is still possible for the student to be placed on suspension for GPA or Steady Academic Progress.

TOPS Amount warded Per Award Year

The TOPS award does not cover your entire fee bill. You are responsible for paying all fees/amounts that TOPS does not pay. If you have other aid that will cover the portion of your fee bill that TOPS does NOT pay, but the aid is not posted to your account, you MUST contact the Financial Aid Office before the payment deadline.

More TOPS FAQs http://www.osfa.state.la.us/TOPS_Q_and_A.pdf

Exceptions

If you are granted an exception through the TOPS office, you must submit a copy your exception letter from LOSFA to the Financial Aid Office.

Some of these files may be in PDF format.
You must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer to view the files.
Click HERE to download and install the latest Adobe Reader software.