Baton Rouge
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According to the National College Access Network’s (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker, 78.7 percent of Louisiana’s 47,837 seniors completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), making Louisiana number one in the nation in FAFSA completion.
It’s the second year the state has taken the honor.
“Geaux, Team Louisiana! We are thrilled to see Louisiana leading the nation in FAFSA completion for a second year,” said LOSFA Executive Director, Dr. Sujuan Boutté. “Continued gains in successful FAFSA completion expands equity of access and affordability for Louisiana students to pursue a post-secondary education at an institution that’s the best match and fit for them.”
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) provides several outreach services each year to help students complete their financial aid forms.
Those efforts include conducting seminars on the FAFSA at high schools around the state, one-on-one completion assistance in LOSFA’s lab, FAFSA completion events around the state, and professional development on the FAFSA for school counselors.
“We commend our students and parents for being proactive in completing the federal student aid application; and applaud our counselors, financial aid and college access professionals for their dedication to helping students maximize gift aid to pay for college,” Dr.
Boutté said.
The FAFSA is a ‘one-stop shop’ to discover financial aid to pay for college. By filling out the application, students will know if they qualify for financial assistance such as the Pell Grant, work study, and federal loans. The FAFSA is also the application to receive the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), which is Louisiana’s merit-based scholarship that can be used at community/technical colleges and four-year institutions in Louisiana.
“I know students and parents find it a relief to have our assistance,” said Brittani Williams, LOSFA’s Financial Aid and Career Development Specialist.
Williams and other staff at LOSFA recently held a
Fix your FAFSA
event at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, where students were able to make corrections to and complete their FAFSA before the priority deadline. The priority deadline ensures that TOPS is processed successfully in time for the fall semester.
To view NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker, click
here
. LOSFA also tracks Louisiana’s FAFSA data at the parish and high school level with our
Compete to Complete
site.
