College & career readiness in Louisiana
Louisiana — the first state to require senior FAFSA completion — pairs Individual Graduation Plans (grade 8 onward) with the Jump Start CTE diploma pathway and TOPS scholarship tracking.
IGP — Individual Graduation Plan
The IGP at a glance
The moving parts every Louisiana counseling team is tracking today — usually across spreadsheets, PDFs, and a filing cabinet.
Work-based learning & financial aid in Louisiana
Work-based learning
Jump Start summers and credential-bearing CTE sequences are funded and central; regional teams tie schools to industry sectors.
FAFSA & financial aid
FAFSA (or TOPS application or waiver) is a graduation requirement — the original model other states copied.
Atlara ↔ IGP
The original FAFSA mandate
Senior-by-senior FAFSA/waiver status, visible to counselors and leaders all year.
Jump Start credentials
Credential plans and completions per student power the career diploma pathway.
TOPS tracking
Course plans show TOPS core progress so eligibility isn't discovered too late.
IGP from grade 8
Pathway choice and yearly updates in one living plan.
Policy details above are a planning summary, not legal guidance — confirm current requirements with the Louisiana Department of Education.