La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § IV-501

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section IV-501 - Initial Application

A. Initial Application for High School Graduates of 2002-2003 or Earlier

1. Except as provided in Subparagraph A.2.b below, all new applicants for Louisiana scholarship and grant programs must apply for federal aid by completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) for the academic year following the year the student graduated from high school. For example, if the student will graduate from high school in school year 2002-2003, submit the 2003-2004 version of the FAFSA.

2. All new applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance, Honors and TOPS-Tech Awards who graduate from high school during the 2001-2002 or 2002-2003 academic years (high school) must apply for federal aid by completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) for the academic year (TOPS) the applicant will be a first-time, full-time student. For example, if the applicant will graduate from high school in the 2002-2003 academic year (high school) and does not intend to enroll as a first-time, full-time student until the fall semester of 2004, he must submit the 2004-2005 version of the FAFSA.

a. All applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards and TOPS-Tech Awards (except those students who can demonstrate that they do not qualify for federal grant aid because of their family's financial condition) must complete all applicable sections of the initial FAFSA.

b. Applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards and TOPS-Tech Awards who can demonstrate that they do not qualify for federal grant aid because of their family's financial condition must complete all applicable sections of the initial FAFSA except those sections related to the income and assets of the applicant and the applicant's parents.

c. In the event of a budgetary shortfall, applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards and TOPS-Tech Awards who do not complete all sections of the FAFSA will be the first denied a TOPS Award.

B. Initial Application for a TOPS Award for High School Graduates and Home Study Completers of 2003-2004 and Thereafter, and Eligible Non-Graduates

1. Students who graduate from a Louisiana public high school as defined in §1703. A 1, an approved Louisiana non-public school as defined in §1701. A 2, or an eligible non-Louisiana public school as defined in §1701. A.3 must:

a. submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); or

b. if the student can demonstrate that he does not qualify for federal grant aid because of his family's financial condition, submit the initial FAFSA after completing all applicable sections except those sections related to the income and assets of the student and the student's parents; or

c. complete an on-line application.

2. Students who graduate from an eligible out-of-state or out-of-country high school or complete a home study program approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or enroll for the first time as a fulltime student in an out-of-state college or university following graduation from an eligible high school (Louisiana public high school as defined in §1703. A 1, an approved Louisiana non-public school as defined in §1701. A 2, an eligible non-Louisiana public school as defined in §1701. A 3, out-of-state high school as defined by §1701. A.4 or an out-of-country high school as defined by §1701. A.5 must:

a. submit a free application for federal student aid; or

c. complete an on-line application; and

d. submit an official transcript from the out-of-state or out-of-country high school from which the student graduated; and

e. submit the official transcripts from each out-of-state college or university attended; and

f. submit an affidavit attesting to Louisiana residency, except those students who completed their last two years in and graduated from a Louisiana public or approved non-public high school.

3. Eligible non-graduates must:

a. submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); or

c. complete an on-line application.

4. Applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards and TOPS-Tech Awards who submit the online application in lieu of the FAFSA or who do not complete all sections of the FAFSA will be ineligible for federal grant aid and federally guaranteed student loans.

5. In the event of a budgetary shortfall, applicants for TOPS Opportunity, Performance and Honors Awards and TOPS-Tech Awards who submit the on-line application in lieu of the FAFSA or who do not complete all sections of the FAFSA will be the first denied a TOPS Award.

C. Initial Application for Louisiana Scholarship and Grant Programs other than TOPS for High School Graduates of 2004 and Thereafter

1. All new applicants for Louisiana scholarship and grant programs other than TOPS and the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship must apply for federal grant aid by completing the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) for the academic year following the year the student graduated from high school. For example, if the student will graduate from high school in school year 2003-2004, submit the 2004-2005 version of the FAFSA.

2. All new applicants for the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship must apply for federal grant aid by submitting the FAFSA so that it is received no later than July 1 immediately preceding the academic year (college) for which the scholarship is sought. For example, if the student wants to apply for a Rockefeller Scholarship to be awarded during the 2005-2006 academic year (college), submit the 2005-2006 version of the FAFSA no later than July 1, 2005.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § IV-501

Promulgated by the Student Financial Assistance Commission, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 22:338 (May 1996), repromulgated LR 24:635 (April 1998), LR 24:1900 (October 1998), amended LR 26:1994 (September 2000), repromulgated LR 27:1846 (November 2001), amended LR 29:554 (April 2003), LR 30:2015 (September 2004), LR 31:36 (January 2005), LR 31:1060 (May 2005), LR 41:659 (April 2015), Repromulgated by the Board of Regents, Office of Student Financial Assistance, LR 44494 (3/1/2018).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:3021-3025, R.S. 17:3042.1 and R.S. 17:5001 et seq.