The State of Louisiana offers a variety of scholarships and grants for its residents. Louisiana college students and high school seniors can use these grants and scholarships to cover the cost of tuition, books, and other expenses related to attending college.
As is the case with all scholarship applications, you should read the eligibility requirements closely. In most instances, Louisiana students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is particularly important for students looking for needs-based financial aid (The FAFSA can also qualify you for federal programs like the Pell Grant). Louisiana state also offers merit-based scholarships where applicants must meet certain academic requirements related to GPA or test scores.
Of course, there are also many private college scholarships and grants for students. Many of these scholarship opportunities can be found using free scholarship databases. Again, you should always read eligibility requirements to know if you qualify for any particular scholarship or grant. Applying for scholarships can take time so ensure you’re well aware of all terms and conditions before submitting materials.
Here is a list of scholarships available from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.
Louisiana Scholarship Programs
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either one of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, Louisiana approved Proprietary and Cosmetology Schools or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
There are four different award categories for the TOPS program:
TOPS Tech Early Start
The TOPS Tech Early Start award provides up to $600 per academic year for any eligible 11th or 12th grade student attending a Louisiana public high school who wishes to concurrently enroll for up to six credit hours per semester in order to pursue certification in an Eligible Program at a public or nonpublic college or an approved training provider.
Louisiana Geaux Teach Scholarship Program
The Geaux Teach Scholarship Program was established to provide scholarships to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs or alternate certification programs approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) at postsecondary education institutions within the state.
The maximum annual award is $5,000. Scholarship awards shall be applicable only to the cost of tuition, required fees, and textbooks and instructional materials required for the course of study.
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
The Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship is a competitive scholarship that awards $2,000 annually for an undergraduate student and $3,000 annually to a graduate student pursuing a degree in forestry, wildlife or marine science at a Louisiana Public College or University. The cumulative maximum award is $12,000 for up to three years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study.
Louisiana Grant Programs
Completers Grant
The Completers Grant provides financial aid to students who are near completion in any degree program, with priority given to students in healthcare, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields and teacher education. The grant is available to students within 30 hours of completing a degree at a Louisiana accredited college or university. The Completers Grant also incentivizes enrollment in and completion of short-term credential programs at two-year institutions for students in Louisiana. The maximum a student can receive is the total of the tuition, fees, and books as set forth on their fee bill. Funds can only be used towards tuition, fees and books.
M.J. Foster Promise Program
The M.J. Foster Promise Program provides financial assistance to eligible students who enroll in a qualified program at a two-year public college or university, or an accredited proprietary school licensed by the Board of Regents to pursue an associate degree or a shorter-term postsecondary education credential required for certain high-demand, high-wage occupations aligned with Louisiana’s workforce priorities.
The M.J. Foster Promise Program is available to all eligible Louisiana residents (21 years or older) with individual student awards available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will qualify for financial support to earn credentials that align to high-demand jobs in growing industry sectors, such as construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
The Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program awards up to $5,000 annually during the academic year to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have been in the foster care system so they can pursue an academic college education or technical and skill training in college to be prepared to enter the workforce. The actual award amount is determined by the student’s financial need.
YCP: GO Youth Challenge Program
The Louisiana GO Grant is a program to encourage and assist those students who graduate from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program to continue their education and enhance their employment opportunities by providing tuition at an eligible Louisiana postsecondary institution.
BESE Tuition Program for Teachers
The BESE Tuition Program for Teachers is a program that allows teachers to enroll in courses at Louisiana colleges and universities at the state’s expense. Teachers selected into the program will have their course tuition paid directly to the postsecondary school by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). The LDOE runs a competitive process three times a year aligned to the fall, spring, and summer semesters to select program participants.
Find More College Scholarships and Grants
Your search for college scholarships shouldn’t end with the above list of Louisiana scholarships. There are many more scholarships for college that you may apply for. To find out more about these opportunities, you can contact your guidance counselor, registrar, financial aid office, or search online for private scholarships.
Given that so many scholarships are available, it makes sense (and cents!) to do your research and apply.
The post How to Win Scholarships and Grants – State of Louisiana first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-win-scholarships-and-grants-state-of-louisiana/
BridgesEDU Scholarships 