The Daily Advertiser

BATON ROUGE – All TOPS payments were stopped immediately Thursday because of the uncertainty surrounding the state’s budget crisis.

THE LATEST:Read the updated version of this story here

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance alerted colleges and universities at 3 p.m. via email, according to KLFY.com.

“Due to the possibility of state budget cuts, all TOPS payments are being suspended immediately until further notice. More details will be provided as information becomes available,” stated John W. Bell, TOPS Awards and Renewals Manager via written statement.

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a scholarship program which covers tuition for in-state students who meet certain academic criteria.

The schools bill the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance for payments of those who are TOPS eligible. Students do not receive reimbursements directly.