A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
Reminder for 2020 high school graduates and current
post-secondary students
According to the National College Attainment Network's (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker , Louisiana has 13,596 high school graduates who need to complete the form. That number represents 28.5 percent of the state's 2019-2020 senior population.

LOSFA staff wants to remind students that the FAFSA is active for a whole year, which means students will use the same FAFSA for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021.

Even if a student is not sure about their enrollment status for Fall 2020, they should complete their financial aid forms to have access to federal, state, a nd institutional aid to pay for their post-secondary studies.

Louisiana's priority FAFSA deadline is July 1 . Filing a FAFSA before the priority deadline helps process a student’s TOPS award in time.  

Here’s how YOU can help! Spread the word about the importance of filling out a FAFSA by sharing our ready-to-go social media graphics on your channels. Graphics can be accessed here .

Need help with completing a FAFSA? LOSFA staff is encouraging students and parents to text their question to 50065 for assistance, use #GeauxFAFSA on social media, and/or email  GeauxFAFSA@la.gov

If you have received an email related to an error on your FAFSA, or need to complete the application, click the link below to register for virtual FAFSA assistance with a LOSFA team member. 
Senior Spotlight
Class of 2020 :
You have persevered and successfully navigated through trying times,
while showing your peers nothing can hinder you from reaching your
educational goals.
LOSFA congratulates you and wishes you a successful future in your quest
for equity of college access!
Madison Milligan graduated from Negreet High School in Negreet, Louisiana.

She will attend Louisiana State University in the fall and major in Psychology.


"The LOSFA/Louisiana GEAR UP has been a great experience for me! As a local and state officer in the Explorers’ Club, I have been able to help my peers with their career paths and college choices. I am so fortunate to have been positively impacted by this program; it has guided my leadership experiences and opened my path to a better future!" 
Emmanuel Bradford was the Valedictorian of Madison High School in Tallulah, Louisiana.

"Compared to other programs, I can personally say LOSFA was a different experience altogether. What made LOSFA different was their consistency and drive in making sure that I was informed on different topics that surrounded my transition from high school into college. The members of this organization would visit my school and helped me in completing the FAFSA, staying informed on the latest scholarships, and applying for colleges. They even gave me useful tools and online resources that eased all my worries. Without the help of LOSFA,
I admit, I would be lost.”
Makayla Simien graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

She will attend Louisiana State University - Eunice, and major in Child Development Education.


"LOSFA has had an extreme impact on me. They gave me a great view of my options when it came to college and helped me apply to the institutions that fit my major and my personality."  
Brendan Brunson is an honors graduate of Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling, Louisiana.

“LOSFA had a huge role in everything I accomplished in high school. Through LOSFA’s Outreach Program, I have been able to visit so many universities, compete in academic competitions, gain early access to dual enrollment, gain college acceptance and scholarships, and participate in prestigious programs like the University of Louisiana at Monroe's President’s Academy and STEM events at Northwestern State University. I also know that LOSFA played a significant role in bringing Advanced Placement Courses and Advanced State-Wide Credentials to Lincoln Prep. Thanks for supporting Lincoln Preparatory School and for giving my classmates so many outstanding opportunities.”

Brendan was accepted into five colleges, including ULM and Northwestern State University. He plans on majoring in Engineering.
Daja Slaughter graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.


She plans to attend Southern University and A&M College, and major in Biology.


"LOSFA has helped me in a tremendous way throughout my high school journey. 
They allowed me to get a better and clear understanding of college. Coming from a single parent home, they showed me how to get money to pay for school. LOSFA provided me with the tools to get to college, which allowed me to choose a college that is the right fit."  
James Carter graduated from Bastrop High School, in Bastrop, Louisiana.

He will attend Louisiana College in fall and major in Sports Medicine.


"I didn't see many people that I grew up with going to college, so it was hard for me (James) to think I'd belong on any campus. I was worried about the campus size, student-teacher ratio, and distance from home. Mr. Nick (a mentor with LOSFA Program's Aspire 2 Inspire Mentoring Program) helped me find the school of my choice and we never looked back. I will forever be grateful to LOSFA's Aspire 2 Inspire for the guidance
and extra hand."
Psalms Joseph graduated from L.B. Landry-O.P. Walker High School, in New Orleans, with Honors.

She plans to attend Grambling State University and major in Pre-Med/Biology.


"LOSFA Programs helped me tremendously. I was able to complete several LOSFA activities with my counselor that connected me to my perfect career interest. I also had the opportunity to attend college tours that enabled me to choose the best university with the right financial aid package."
 
Stay tuned for more Senior Spotlights, next month!
Many states require FAFSA filing before high school graduation, but timing can be everything.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens the door to federal, state, and institutional aid for students seeking to pursue a post-secondary education.

This article looks at data from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker, which shows Louisiana and Tennessee are the only two states that consistently have had a FAFSA filing rate of more than 75 percent.
Tech partners with Discovery Education to provide personalized digital learning service
LOSFA , Louisiana Tech University, and Discovery Education have announced a partnership to provide students across Louisiana with personalized digital learning services.

The partnership, for GEAR UP schools across the state, will include four online summer camps and three professional development sessions for teachers.

“In this uncertain environment, it’s important that learning continues, even if it can’t happen in person,” said Dr. Tireka Cobb, Director of LOFSA’s Field Outreach Services and the Louisiana GEAR UP program (a college access and readiness initiative administered by LOSFA).

Louisiana Tech and LOSFA have also teamed up, for the next four years, to work on LOSFA's Connect2Success initiative that incorporates STEM activities to increase post-secondary enrollment by showing students the link between academics and careers.
Large-Scale Efforts to Boost FAFSA Completion Are Happening Across the Country
The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has said FAFSA completion numbers are trending behind when compared to this time last year. While NCAN continues to urge college access programs to encourage students who will need financial assistance to complete or renew their FAFSA, they identified some states who have increased FAFSA efforts.

NCAN has included LOSFA on its state resource page, for creating a large-scale endeavor to support FAFSA completion among students and parents.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) is offering  virtual office hours  to assist people with questions about the FAFSA and state financial aid programs.

To schedule virtual FAFSA assistance with LOSFA, click here .
529 Plans celebrate 529 Day 
Several states celebrated 529 Day in May to raise awareness about the importance of college saving plans. 529 plans are a way for parents, grandparents, and other family members to begin saving money for the cost of higher education.

LOSFA oversees Louisiana's 529 college saving program, Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) .

The College Savings Plan Network (CSPN) highlighted some of LOSFA's 529 Day efforts, which included a series of social media activities. Participants had their name entered into a drawing to win $529 deposited into their START account. See LOSFA's 529 Day efforts here .

If you have questions about paying for college and contributing to a 529 plan, click here to read a Q & A from The Washington Post.
Shared on Social Media
#GeauxSTARTSaving

LOSFA used this hashtag as we took part in the National 529 Day celebration, which encourages parents and families to save early for their child's college education.

LOSFA engaged by having social media scavenger hunts, essay contests, and trivia questions about Louisiana's 529 program, known as START.

Those who participated had their name entered for a chance to win the grand prize: a $529 contribution to their START account.
LOSFA staff created an informational video on TOPS and the FAFSA Now campaign. It includes COVID-19 related TOPS updates for high school seniors and current post-secondary students. It also discusses where students can get assistance in completing their FAFSA.

Click the image to watch the video!
LOSFA kicked off a social media series on the 5-Point Match as the next phase of our FAFSA NOW campaign. The agency has teamed up with seven student leaders who attend post-secondary institutions around the state to discuss why its important to answer these five questions when selecting a college or university:
  • What am I good at?
  • Can I get in?
  • Can I afford it?
  • Who gets me?
  • Will I stay or will I go?
Other Related News
New Federal Student Debt Payments Benefits In Effect Because Of COVID-19 Pandemic, Here’s How They Work
The director of student success, with the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), says there are some benefits within the CARES Act for those who have student loans.

One benefit, they say, is the zero percent interest from March 13 through September 30.

ECMC currently handles all loans previously handled by LOSFA .

Click the link below for more information.
ULM celebrates 1,023 graduates, largest graduating class in university history
Spring 2020 graduates from the University of Louisiana at Monroe set an institution record - largest graduating class in the university's 89-year history.

Administration says the university has also shown increases in first- to second-year retention and its six year graduation rate.

“From these numbers, it is clear ULM is producing graduates equipped to enter the high-demand, highly skilled fields of today’s workforce,” said retiring ULM president, Dr. Nick Bruno.
University of Louisiana System cutting tuition for some students
The nine universities that make up the University of Louisiana System will offer a decrease in tuition for some students.

Adult learners who have some college credit but have not been in school for at least two years may be eligible to pay a flat rate of $275 per credit hour, if they meet certain qualifications. That's a 45 percent drop from the average per credit charge.

UL System President Jim Henderson said the effort is to have adult learners return to college and complete their degree, which parallels the state's master plan to increase the number of Louisiana residents with degrees and industry certifications.
CLTCC works to overcome digital divide to provide online instruction
When colleges and universities turned to online instruction, due to COVID-19, the pandemic exposed digital issues. Students were able to access the internet on campus, libraries, and coffee shops but when those businesses closed there were not many options.

Administrators at Central Louisiana Technical Community College say they made arrangements to loan out laptops to students and staff, but then noticed those in rural areas could not connect. The college set up hot spots in several parking lots and reached out to other educational sites to make free Wi-Fi access available.
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.