1. TOPS A basic introduction to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students

2. What is TOPS? A Louisiana financial aid program that can cover part or ALL of your tuition, depending on your ACT/SAT scores and high school GPA.

3. Four Levels of TOPS Four different levels of reward depending on your ACT score and high school GPA

4. Breakdown of Requirements High school GPA Core units (required classes to graduate from McKinley) Must be: full-time college student (at least 12 hours of classes per semester) In-state student

5. Tech Award Pays for tuition for skill or occupational training at any schools within the LA community and technical college system, LA propriety or cosmetology schools or LA public colleges and universities that don’t offer a bachelor’s (four year) degree High School GPA: 2.5 Core Units: 19 ACT composite score: 17 Awarded: Equal to tuition Even if you don’t attend a four year university, you can still get TOPS aid!

6. High School GPA: 2.5 Core Units: 19 ACT composite score: 19 Awarded: Equal to tuition This does NOT include additional fees, living costs, meal plans, or textbooks BUT it’s still a big help!

7. High school GPA: 3.0 Core units:19 ACT composite score: 23 Awarded: Equal to tuition PLUS $400 a year The extra money can go towards additional fees (textbooks, meal plans, housing, etc.)

8. High school GPA: 3.0 Core units:19 ACT composite score: 27 Awarded: Full time tuition PLUS $800 a year

9. How do I figure out a school’s tuition? College search websites imfirst.org bigfuture.collegeboard.org Or most official source: School website (.edu)

10. lsu.edu  Admissions and Aid  Undergraduate Admissions Estimated Cost

11. louisiana.edu  Admissions  Paying for College  Cost to Attend

12. How do I apply for TOPS? Don’t worry, you don’t apply till next year Apply senior year by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) FAFSA is FREE and ONLINE When you fill out this form, you are applying for federal grants, too (more money to help pay for college!).

13. FAFSA Forecaster https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution =e1s1 Anyone can fill this out! Federal Pell Grant —Money granted by the government that does not have to be repaid Maximum reward: $5,775

14. Guess What? McKinley holds a TOPS/FAFSA workshop every year in February for seniors and their parents. Next year, you and your parents can fill out the FAFSA at McKinley with help from school counselors and TOPS representatives Look out for this workshop next year!

15. This Year: Start looking up potential colleges and their admission requirements (College Checklist ✔ ) Prepare for the ACT and take it at least once before senior year Keep on file the different requirements for TOPS so you will have a clear goal to work towards! Make an appointment with a McKinley school counselor to check that you are on track for TOPS requirements

16. Questions? Comments? If I can’t answer them, we will find someone who can!