A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
LOSFA hosts live Facebook chat
October 2, 2019

On Wednesday, October 2, the agency wrapped up its celebration of National College Savings Month (in September), with a Facebook chat to answer questions about Louisiana's 529 START Saving Plan .

Missed it? Click the button below to hear the questions asked by our social media followers.
These 3 states will require you to file a FAFSA to graduate from high school
Louisiana was the first state to mandate that high school seniors complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a graduation requirement, now Illinois and Texas are following suit. Both states have passed similar laws requiring FAFSA completion.

According to the National College Access Network's FAFSA tracker, 77% of Louisiana's high school seniors completed the form in 2018 - when the mandate took effect. That was an increase of 26% over the previous year. This year, about 79% of Louisiana students completed the FAFSA.

NCAN's Director of Data and Evaluation, Bill DeBaun, says if a mandatory FAFSA policy pushes more students to enroll and complete a degree, that would be a positive outcome.

Photo Credit: Getty Images
Eager students gather to learn more about the importance of college
September 18, 2019

Middle and high school students across Northwest Louisiana visited Southern University at Shreveport, to learn about necessary steps to be successful through their college years.


The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance went on a state-wide tour called Financial Literacy for You, F.L.Y. Students got a taste of life at Southern University and discovered what opportunities are ahead, once they receive their high school diploma.

Timenee Thomas, Youth Advocacy Specialist, with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, said students have so much to take away from these ‘FLY’ visits.

“We want them to walk away with full-on knowledge on how to access college, how to access financial aid, and really to let them know what the purpose of college really is,” Thomas said.

Southern University at Shreveport's Student Body President, Detrius Adams, also spoke to those who attended. He shared his college experience and how it is leading him on a rewarding path .

Coverage provided by KSLA
Baton Rouge education leaders report on progress of Capital Area Promise
September 18, 2019

Post-secondary institutions in Baton Rouge are reporting a bump in enrollment, due in part to the Capital Area Promise, an initiative that began in 2018 in order to give students in the Greater Baton Rouge area more opportunities that lead to college and/or the workforce.

It’s raising awareness that colleges are available to them,” said LSU President F. King Alexander. “Whether it’s Southern, BRCC, LSU or other institutions.”

King reported in the last two years, LSU has seen a 16 percent increase in enrollment from students who attended schools in East Baton Rouge Parish.

King also announced that LOSFA and the Louisiana BoR have joined the effort.

To read more about the Capital Area Promise, click here .
Back to school: Are parents tapping college savings in 529 plans for private K-12 tuition?
September 8, 2019

An article by USA Today says according to several 529 savings plan administrators, not many parents are using this particular method to pay their school-aged children’s tuition - even after the tax-advantaged funds were approved to fund K-12 private education.

Some states have chosen not to actively encourage saving for primary and secondary education costs.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has made several efforts to advertise the state's START K12 savings plan, which began in December 2018.

In the first eight months of this year, the START K12 program opened 600 accounts with about $1.1 million saved .
Photos Shared on Social Media
LOSFA's biannual Financial Literacy for You (F.L.Y.) Tour went on the road in September. The tour stopped at Southern University-Baton Rouge , Delgado Community College , Southern University at Shreveport , Grambling State University , and Louisiana State University .

Elementary, middle and high school students learned what it takes to have a vision to plan for their future, and had the opportunity to hear from student body presidents at each campus.

"I waited seven years to apply to college because I was scared of the sign up process. I was scared of the application and of the financial aid process. One day I signed up on my phone because I was fed up with my life. But I'm here and I'm doing alright - and you can too!"
Ryan Vidrine, Delgado Community College SGA President

Students were also able to experience what life is like at a post-secondary institution, and some were treated to performances by The Human Jukebox, GSU's Tiger Marching Band, and Southern University at Shreveport's new marching band The Soundwave.

Pictured above: (left to right) GSU President Rick Gallot with students, Dr. Kim Hunter-Reed at the LSU Fly Tour, and Edna Karr High School students at Delgado Community College.
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Young people thirsty for personal finance know-how
Three out of four recent high school graduates wish a class on personal finance had been a mandatory part of their education
September 23, 2019

Generation Z (those born in the mid-90's and 2000) wants help learning about student loans and financial burdens.

A study released earlier this month by Experian reported that three out of four high school graduates wished they had a class on personal finance.

Hollywood has also taken note in the decline of financial literacy skills.

Click the button below to find out what series is being released in October, to help students with financial education.
Grambling reaches new high in student enrollment
September 16, 2019

For the fifth straight year, Grambling State University has reported an annual increase in student enrollment. More than 5,200 students enrolled for the Fall 2019 semester.

The university attributes its success to having three consecutive years of retention growth, recruiting students from 45 states and 35 countries, and a five percent increase in out-of-state students.

Recently, Grambling was also approved to offer the only Bachelor of Cybersecurity program in Louisiana.

“Our continued growth is a clear sign that the investments from our parents, faculty, legislators, and supporters are supporting our attainment goals,” said Grambling's President, Rick Gallot.  
Explore the 2020 Best National Universities
September 8, 2019

U.S. News and World Report has released its 2020 edition of the best colleges. According to the website, U.S. News looks at outcome factors such as graduation rates and retention, class size, and student-teacher ratio when determining the quality of education at each institution.

Your investment in a college education could profoundly affect your career opportunities, how much money you are able to earn and your quality of life, part of the report says.

Seven Louisiana schools were ranked on the list of 2020 Best National Universities. This particular list includes 399 schools.

40 - Tulane University
153 - Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge
197 - Loyola University New Orleans
272 - Louisiana Tech University
293 - 381 - University of Louisiana at Lafayette
293 - 381 - University of Louisiana at Monroe
293 - 381 - University of New Orleans
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.