Louisiana Residents — TOPS + STEP | LSU Army National Guard

Understanding Your Two Scholarship Programs

TOPS and STEP — What They Each Do

These are two separate programs with separate eligibility requirements and separate funding sources. They are designed to work alongside each other — not replace each other.

State of Louisiana Scholarship

TOPS — Taylor Opportunity Program for Students

TOPS is Louisiana's state-funded merit scholarship for resident students who graduate from a Louisiana high school and meet academic requirements. It pays a set amount toward tuition at Louisiana public universities — including LSU.

TOPS does not require military service. It's awarded based on your high school GPA, ACT score, and Louisiana residency. If you already have TOPS when you enlist in the Guard, you keep it.

TOPS Opportunity Award: Covers tuition at the flat TOPS rate for qualifying students
TOPS Performance Award: Higher award for higher ACT scores (25+)
TOPS Honors Award: Highest award level (27+ ACT)
Maintains a 2.3–2.5 GPA requirement depending on award level
Does not cover fees, housing, or books — only tuition

⚠ TOPS and Guard: No Conflict

Enlisting in the Guard does not affect your TOPS eligibility. TOPS is a state academic scholarship administered by LOSFA (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance) and is independent of any military affiliation. You can hold TOPS and Guard benefits simultaneously.

Louisiana Army National Guard Scholarship

STEP — State Tuition Exemption Program

STEP is Louisiana's Guard-specific state tuition exemption. It covers tuition and mandatory fees at Louisiana public universities — including LSU — for active members of the Louisiana Army National Guard.

STEP is tied to your Guard membership. As long as you are in good standing in your unit, STEP applies each semester. STEP covers what TOPS does not — including mandatory fees that TOPS excludes.

Requires active membership in the Louisiana ARNG
Covers tuition and mandatory fees at LSU
Works simultaneously with TOPS — they cover different or complementary costs
Must maintain satisfactory academic progress
Must remain in good standing with your unit (no unexcused absences, no flags)
Applied through LSU Financial Aid after verifying Guard status with your unit

📋 How STEP Is Applied at LSU

Your unit provides documentation of your Guard membership each semester. This is submitted to LSU's Financial Aid office, which applies the STEP exemption to your student account. Your recruiter and unit S1 handle the verification process. Coordinate at least 4–6 weeks before each semester's billing date.

How the Benefits Stack · Louisiana Resident at LSU

Your Full Financial Picture

Here's how all your available benefits apply to your LSU tuition and fees as a Louisiana resident Guard member. Each layer covers a different portion of your costs.

LSU Annual Cost Coverage (Approximate)

TOPS

Tuition (TOPS portion) ~$3,000–5,000/yr

STEP

Tuition + Fees Exemption Covers balance

MGIB-SR

MGIB-SR Monthly Pay (after AIT) $493/mo to you

Tuition & Fees → Potentially $0 Out of Pocket

Additional Income & Repayment

MGIB-SR

Monthly GI Bill Pay (Ch. 1606) $493/mo full-time

Drill Pay

Monthly Military Pay $200–$600+/mo

SLRP

Loan Repayment (if applicable) Up to $8,333/yr

* TOPS and STEP amounts vary by award level, course load, and fees. FTA availability subject to degree plan approval and credit hour limits. Consult your recruiter and LSU Financial Aid for your specific scenario. FTA cannot be stacked on top of STEP when STEP already covers the tuition balance. FTA applies only to any uncovered portion not already paid by TOPS or STEP.

How TOPS and STEP Work Together — In Plain Language

①

TOPS Applies First

TOPS is applied to your student account as a tuition credit at its fixed award rate. TOPS does not cover mandatory fees (technology, health, library, etc.) — only tuition.

②

STEP Covers the Remainder

STEP covers tuition and mandatory fees. In most cases, STEP will cover the remaining tuition balance after TOPS plus the mandatory fees that TOPS excludes. Combined, they can bring your tuition/fee balance to zero.

③

MGIB-SR Monthly Pay Begins After AIT

If any tuition balance remains after TOPS and STEP, Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) at $250/credit hour can be applied. Note: FTA cannot duplicate funds already covered — it applies to the uncovered portion only.

④

MGIB-SR Monthly Pay Is Separate

The $493/month Chapter 1606 payment is paid directly to you — not to LSU. It is separate from tuition coverage and can be used for housing, food, books, or anything you need.

⑤

Coordinate with LSU Financial Aid Early

Both TOPS and STEP must be properly documented with LSU Financial Aid each semester. Do not wait until the billing deadline. Your recruiter and unit S1 will guide you through the verification process.

Keeping Both Programs Active

Maintaining TOPS & STEP

TOPS — What You Must Maintain

GPA

Cumulative GPA Requirement

TOPS Opportunity: maintain 2.3 GPA. TOPS Performance: 2.5. TOPS Honors: 3.0. GPA is checked at the end of each academic year — not each semester. One difficult semester won't immediately cost you TOPS.

HRS

Credit Hours per Semester

Must attempt at least 12 credit hours per regular semester to maintain full TOPS eligibility. Part-time enrollment (fewer than 12 hours) reduces the TOPS award proportionally.

TIME

Maximum Semesters

TOPS typically covers up to 8 semesters (4 years) of full-time study. Guard service does not extend this limit — but deferments may be available for semesters where you are on active duty orders. Contact LOSFA directly for deferment requests.

🪖 Does BCT/AIT Affect TOPS?

If you attend Basic Training or AIT and must withdraw from a semester or take a reduced load, you may be eligible for a TOPS deferment for that semester — so it doesn't count against your award period. Contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) at 1-800-259-5626 and your LSU Financial Aid advisor before you leave for training to set this up in advance.

STEP — What You Must Maintain

UNIT

Good Standing with Your Unit

STEP requires active, satisfactory participation in the Louisiana ARNG. Unexcused absences from drill, administrative flags, or separation from the Guard will terminate STEP eligibility. Attend drill, communicate early about conflicts.

DOC

Semester Verification Documentation

Your unit must provide a signed verification of your Guard status to LSU Financial Aid each semester. This is typically a letter from your unit commander or S1. Request this at least 4–6 weeks before the semester billing date.

GPA

Satisfactory Academic Progress

LSU's SAP standards for financial aid apply to STEP as well. Maintain your cumulative GPA and completion rate per LSU Financial Aid requirements. Failing or withdrawing from too many courses can put your aid at risk.

📞 Who to Contact for STEP Issues

For STEP verification and application: LSU Financial Aid Office — financial.aid@lsu.edu or (225) 578-3103.

For Guard status documentation: Your unit's S1 (administrative NCO). Your recruiter — SFC Reagan or SFC Rayburn — can also help connect you with the right person at your unit.

Beyond TOPS + STEP

More Benefits on Top of That

TOPS and STEP handle your tuition. These additional Guard benefits stack on top — income, loan paydown, certifications, and retirement.

⭐

MGIB-SR Monthly Pay

Chapter 1606 pays $493/month full-time directly to you while enrolled — in addition to having your tuition covered by TOPS + STEP. Use it for housing, food, or savings.

💰

Drill Pay

Monthly military pay for every drill period — starting at E-1 and increasing with rank and time in service. Direct deposit to your bank account, typically the pay period after drill.

📋

Student Loan Repayment

Even with TOPS + STEP covering tuition, many Louisiana students carry federal loans from prior semesters or living costs. SLRP pays up to $8,333/year on those loans — $50,000 lifetime.

🏅

Credentialing Assistance

$2,000/year for professional certifications from 1,800+ options — PMP, CompTIA, CDL, EMT, Lean Six Sigma. Doesn't have to match your MOS or your major.

🏥

Health & Life Insurance

Access to TRICARE dental and vision at low cost. Full medical and dental during active duty periods. SGLI life insurance up to $500,000 from day one.

🎖️

Military Retirement

Every drill period earns retirement points. Reach 20 qualifying years and you are eligible for a military pension starting at age 60 — for life.

FAQ · Louisiana Residents

Common Questions

Can I have both TOPS and STEP at the same time? ▼

Yes. TOPS and STEP are separate programs with separate funding and separate eligibility criteria. There is no conflict between holding both simultaneously. TOPS is managed by LOSFA; STEP is tied to your Guard membership and processed through your unit and LSU Financial Aid. Holding one does not reduce or affect the other.

What if TOPS already covers my full tuition? Does STEP still help? ▼

Yes — because TOPS does not cover mandatory fees. STEP covers both tuition and mandatory fees. Even if TOPS covers all of your tuition, STEP can cover the fees (technology fee, health fee, library fee, etc.) that TOPS excludes. This means STEP still provides real value even at the highest TOPS award levels.

What if I lose TOPS — does STEP still cover me? ▼

Yes. STEP is independent of TOPS. If you lose TOPS eligibility (due to GPA, semester limits, or other reasons), STEP remains in place as long as you are in good standing with your Guard unit. STEP alone can cover a significant portion of your tuition and fees. MGIB-SR pays $493/month directly to you after AIT completion. Note: FTA cannot duplicate funds already covered by STEP — it only applies to any tuition balance not already covered.

How does going to BCT or AIT affect my TOPS? ▼

If you must withdraw from LSU or reduce your course load due to military training orders, you should immediately contact LOSFA and LSU Financial Aid to request a TOPS deferment for that semester. A military deferment prevents the semester from counting against your TOPS award period and protects your GPA calculation. This must be set up in advance — do not wait until you're at training. Your recruiter can help you prepare the necessary documentation.

Do I need to reapply for STEP every semester? ▼

Yes — your Guard status must be verified every semester by your unit. Your unit's S1 (administrative NCO) issues a verification letter or form that you submit to LSU Financial Aid. Start this process 4–6 weeks before each semester's billing date to avoid late charges. Your recruiter can connect you with your unit's S1 if you have difficulty getting the documentation.

I already have TOPS. Does enlisting in the Guard change anything about how it's applied? ▼

No — TOPS remains unchanged. Your TOPS award continues exactly as before. Enlisting adds STEP on top, which covers any remaining tuition balance and mandatory fees. You don't need to notify LOSFA about your Guard enlistment for TOPS purposes.