Despite a $10.3 million University budget cut and an economic slump, Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance spokesman Gus Wales called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid “nothing to stress about.”The total amount of money allotted for TOPS by the state, typically about $116 million that aids about 44,000 new and reapplying students, is determined each year during the legislative session. Wales referred to the amount as an “open-ended appropriation.””The governor’s office already stated that TOPS is not going to be cut,” Wales said. “If we are short … we request a supplemental legislation and that’s always been available — it’s never been denied in the past.”Wales said students who      intend to apply only for TOPS are not required to fill out the renewal FAFSA, but they are encouraged.”If there ever was a shortage of funds for the demand [of TOPS], and the state says no more money,” Wales said. “Those who did not file a renewal FAFSA would be the first eliminated. That has never happened.”Dustin Manning, FAFSA customer service representative, said prospective financial-aid recipients are encouraged to submit renewal FAFSA forms as early as possible.”They could run out of aid,” he said. “But it’s unlikely.”Amy Marix, associate director of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid, said University funding is awarded to the applicants on a “first-come, first-serve basis.”Marix said students hoping to receive aid from the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Perkins Loan Program or the work-study program are always encouraged fill out FAFSA paperwork as early as possible.”Those programs are funds that are allocated by the federal government and each school is allotted a certain amount of money,” Marix said. “We don’t know how much we’re going to be funded in the coming year.”The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Student Aid does not begin processing applications until March, Marix said. Still, she said the department will “award whoever gets their information in first.”Wales said a “pretty consistent” number of students turn in FAFSA applications each year — the number is dependent on the number of highschool graduates and returning students. —-Contact Lindsey Meaux at [email protected]