Louisiana Student Financial aid and College Grants
Louisiana state government assists many individuals who need help to pay for college. Several state-based grant programs are accessible to students who are financially needy; those who could not afford to attend college or university without financial aid. Undergraduate students who receive the federal Pell Grant could qualify for state based-aid based on the information submitted on their FAFSA application and although traditional students tend to get the most monetary help, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance also provide grants to older and adult students returning to education.

If you’re a resident of Louisiana looking for additional free money to pay for college, the list of state-based grant programs below could provide you with additional support if you qualify.

Take Leap into Education with up to $2,000 in Free Grant Money

Louisiana students who need additional support to access higher education could receive college grants valued between $200 and $2,000 through the federally funded Louisiana LEAP grant program, administered through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). A selection of Louisiana public and private colleges, universities technical colleges and schools participating in the grant program receive allocated funding based on their previous year fall enrolment and award experience, applicants are selected for the college grant by the school’s financial aid office.

Eligible students for the Louisiana college grant must demonstrate a need for support, have a high school diploma with a 2.00 GPA or a minimum score of 45 on their GED test. Additional criteria is outlined on the LOFSA website and students interested in the program must contact their college financial aid department for specific details.

College Grants for Non-Traditional, Adult and Older Louisiana Students

Non-traditional students age 25+ returning to education sometimes struggle to finance the ever-rising costs of college, but in Louisiana college grants for older and adult students are available through the GO Grant Program. The program is available to financially needy Pell and financial-need grant eligible students who are permanent residents of the state attending a participating school, college or university as a first-time freshman. Depending on enrolment status, students could receive a maximum of $2,000 per academic year, renewable in subsequent years to a maximum of $10,000.

Adult students wishing to apply for the Louisiana GO Grant will be required to complete a FAFSA application. Additional information about the program and eligibility criteria can be found here.

Grants for Dependants of Military Personnel

Dependents of war veterans in Louisiana could be eligible to receive one of several tuition assistance programs from the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. College grants for dependents of military personal are available to students who reside in many of the states across the US, in Louisiana the Department of Veterans Affairs website lists a number of financial assistance programs specifically for spouses and dependents. Programs award students based on a variety of different requirements, which could include applicants and/or their parent/s having:

  • General military experience
  • Being retired from active duty
  • Disabled or killed as a result of military service
  • Prisoner of war or missing in action

Applicants wishing to apply for college grant programs provided by the Louisiana DVA usually have to be enrolled or expecting to enrol in a two or four-year college, technical school or university on a full-time basis. The grants are often renewable and awarded to freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate or postgraduate years.