A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
Lincoln Preparatory School makes academic gains, credits LOSFA and Louisiana GEAR UP services
“A lot of people say ‘You’re doing a good job, but it’s not just me,” said Melanie Colvin, chief academic officer at Lincoln Prep.

In 2014, Colvin says she was introduced to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) . She attended professional training offered by LOSFA , and learned the importance of having early conversations with students about graduation, college and a career.

“This year we’ve seen a difference. These students are coming to class and participating," said Colvin. " LOSFA has the vision of graduating high school students. Together, we’re teaching students that they can go into any college classroom, or to any job and be successful.”
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Big-name figures help students understand: To stay or not to say in-state?
Photo Credit: Stephanie Malin, LSU Manship School News Service

Political Strategist and LSU professor James Carville discussed the issues surrounding millennial's decision to stay or leave Louisiana with LSU student government president Stewart Lockett, and Re-Envisioning Louisiana symposium organizer Sarah Procopio.
Young people in Louisiana are asking themselves a key question: Should I stay or should I go?

Collis Temple III, a former LSU basketball player who is the national sales director of Primerica, a financial-services company, grew up in Baton Rouge and emphasized the importance of education as “the point of the spear” when it comes to improving the state.

“Financial literacy equals economic empowerment, which leads to real change in our community,” he said. “Good people will do good things with good money.”
New program at UL helping low-income students stay in school
A new program at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette is providing ways for students from low-income families to stay in school.

It’s called the Louisiana Educate Program (LEP), and it provides much more than financial support for its students.
LSU joining national effort to increase college access, degree attainment
LSU has announced it’s joining a national initiative to increase college access, close disparities between different types of students and award more degrees by 2025.

The initiative is the largest-ever of its kind, reaching some 3 million students—including 1 million Pell Grant recipients
Free online textbook access available for CLTCC students
(Photo: Melinda Martinez)
Justina Salassi, coordinator of general and developmental education and English instructor at Central Louisiana Technical Community College, demonstrates how students can access online textbooks for free from a smartphone.
Students can spend between $450 and $600 a year for textbooks and supplies for classes.

Sometimes students may not purchase textbooks if they are too expensive.

"It definitely helps — every little bit," said Kreston Phelps who is seeking an electrical degree at  CLTCC . "With this program, every little bit I can save, thank the Lord I can save it, because every little bit of money I can put back towards food or gas for my traveling expenses."
How FAFSA Verification Harms Low-Income Students and What ED Can Do To Help
Photo Credit: National College Access Network
Approximately  30 percent  of students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, each year are selected for verification.

Verification is the audit-like process of proving that the information included on the FAFSA is accurate. This equates to millions of students – anywhere from 5 to more than 6 million, depending on the year – who cannot access financial aid for college without completing additional paperwork.

For low-income students, the chances of being flagged for verification are even higher.
How to Make the Most of Your College Tax Breaks
All that tuition you pay has one silver lining: tax breaks.

If you want to make sure to be able to claim the most possible when your tax return is due in April, then you may want to make some moves now to prepay some bills or to max out your retirement accounts to lower your income.
Photo Credit: REUTERS/Mike Blake
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Aspire to Inspire (A2I) Lead Mentor, Khristopher Hobbs, met with mentees from West St. John Elementary School to discuss what students will learn from the A2I Comprehensive Mentoring program.
Dr. Sujuan W. Boutte, Executive Director, LOSFA, Representative Ken Brass, Senator Ed Price, superintendents and administrators of the career and technology center of Ascension, St. James and Iberville Parishes met to discuss the impact of TOPS and TOPS Tech for students attending schools in District 58.
About LOSFA
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, strives to be Louisiana's first choice for college access by promoting, preparing for and providing equity of college access.