IrelandGuidelines for Financial Aid and Study Abroad

LSU's Office of Student Financial Aid has created guidelines for how the most common scholarships (including TOPS) transfer for students participating in APA programs. Please use the following information as a guide when choosing APA programs.

Please note: the Office of Student Financial Aid makes all final decisions regarding financial aid and scholarships. APA highly recommends you make an appointment to meet with your financial aid counselor prior to applying to an APA program.

Financial Aid and Scholarships available through LSU for study abroad programs may differ depending on the program type. All students should register for Direct Deposit on MyLSU. Students that receive aid through LSU for their programs are encouraged to complete a FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov for loan and grant consideration.

TOPS

  • Should complete an enrollment verification form after the 14th day of class and return to Financial Aid and Scholarships to verify TOPS eligibility
  • All regular TOPS requirements must be observed: continuous fulltime enrollment, 24 hours earned yearly, minimum GPA
  • Must be enrolled for full time hours; if host institution is on quarter system then the student must make sure hours earned transfer into full time LSU hours
  • If the student returns with fewer hours than expected, the student will be responsible for repaying the TOPS funds that were awarded to them
  • Student MUST submit their transcript to LSU by appropriate deadline or TOPS will be returned and the current anticipated credits will be cancelled.
    Deadlines:
    • April 1st for fall programs
    • November 1st for spring, summer, or yearlong programs
  • Student participating in a study abroad program through another Louisiana university should notify Financial Aid and Scholarships because they will receive their TOPS funding from the host institution

ISEP, Bilateral and Global E3 Students

  • Paying tuition and fees to LSU; receive financial aid through LSU
  • Provided student is enrolled for 12 hours, scholarships will automatically credit
  • Nonresident fee exemptions can be used if charged the nonresident fee
  • Room and board exemptions cannot be used, as the student is not using on-campus housing at LSU

ISEP Direct and Non-LSU Study Abroad Students

  • Not charged fees through LSU other than the concurrent enrollment fee; receive financial aid through LSU
  • Provided student is enrolled for 12 hours, student can use cash award and the tuition portion of their exemption awards; Nonresident fee waivers cannot be used
  • Room and board exemptions cannot be used, as the student is not using on-campus housing at LSU
  • TOPS funds will credit during the first week of class

National Student Exchange (NSE) Program - Host Placements

  • Pay tuition and fees to other school; must receive financial aid through host institution
  • Provided student is enrolled for 12 hours, student can use cash award and the tuition portion of their exemption awards; Nonresident fee waivers cannot be used
  • Room and board exemptions cannot be used, as the student is not using on-campus housing at LSU
  • TOPS funds will credit during the first week of class

National Student Exchange (NSE) Program - Home Placements

  • Paying tuition and fees to LSU; receive financial aid through LSU
  • Students can use cash awards and scholarship exemptions provided they enroll for full time hours
  • Room and board exemptions cannot be used, as the student is not using on-campus housing at LSU

 

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