A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
LOSFA student mentor invited to attend White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
July 9, 2019

This September, at the 2019 National HBCU Week Conference in Washington, D.C., 44 students who attend historically black colleges and universities will be recognized as 2019 Competitiveness Scholars.

One of LOSFA's student mentors, Shanya Espy, is one of them.

“I’m super excited!” Espy said. “The first time I went to D.C. was for a national mentoring summit with LOSFA – this is another opportunity y’all have brought to me.”

Espy says she found out about the opportunity from a list of scholarships that LOSFA sends out, specifically for student mentors and their high school mentees.

LOSFA regularly posts national and state-wide scholarships for students on its social media platforms.
Louisiana ranks #1 in the nation for FAFSA completion for a second year
July 8, 2019

For the second year, Louisiana has been named number one in the nation for FAFSA completion!

According to the National College Access Network’s (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker, 78.7 percent of Louisiana’s 47,837 seniors have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid before the priority deadline. The priority deadline ensures that TOPS is processed successfully in time for the fall semester.

“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," said LOSFA's Executive Director Dr. Sujuan Boutté .
GEAR UP student has article published in The New Orleans 100

June 20, 2019

Last month, a team from The New Orleans 100 spoke to Louisiana GEAR UP students who were attending a summer learning camp at Delgado Community College, about the importance of communicating.

The students were asked to write an original story, using only 100 words.

A story by Brianna Anderson, a rising ninth grader at Emily C. Watkins Elementary School, was featured in The New Orleans 100.

Click here to read her article on The New Orleans School of Cooking.
Summer camp teaches students importance of STEM, arts
Students get hands-on experience through LA GEAR UP program
June 19, 2019

Students around East Baton Rouge Parish are gathered at Park Forest Middle School for STEAM camp, learning the importance of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

The week-long camp, in partnership with Louisiana Tech University and Louisiana GEAR UP , offered access to a college environment and promoted learning through activities with robotics, art, programming, and computer science.

Louisiana GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is an outreach program with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA). The program helps students gain an early awareness of college.

“The students are here, they’re engaged, they’re learning, and they’re enjoying themselves,” said Mary Cobb-Marshall, regional coordinator for the East Baton Rouge branch of LOSFA.

Photo Credit: WAFB
First-generation college graduate from Baton Rouge credits state program that helped him overcome hurdles
June 16, 2019

When Travontae “Trey Riley” Robinson graduated from Broadmoor High School in Baton Rouge in 2014, he knew he wanted to become the first person in his family to earn a college degree. His grandmother Sharon Williams, who raised him and his three siblings after his mother's death in 2006, offered steadfast encouragement, but didn't know how to help him overcome the hurdles in his path. 

Robinson said he found valuable support through the Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs , which is run by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.

Photo provided by: Trey Riley
Photos Shared on Social Media
Louisiana GEAR UP students who attended the Health Awareness Camp at Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center learned how to make casts and inject patients. Students also learned about nutrition and the role of a dietitian.
During the Louisiana Tech POWER camp, Louisiana GEAR UP students learned how to program robots. This camp also focused on other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) activities.
Other Related News
The Cost of Private vs. Public Colleges
June 25, 2019

The cost of tuition and fees is typically higher at private colleges, and these institutions can have reputations of only educating the wealthiest students. But college administrators hope tuition discounts and institutional dollars can help tip the scales, attracting more students to look past sticker prices to take advantage of price cuts.

Students may see larger scholarships from private colleges in their financial aid packages, says Lori Vedder, director of financial aid at the University of Michigan—Flint, but evaluating financial aid offers from private and public colleges isn't always an apples-to-apples comparison.

Vedder recommends students pay close attention to a college's cost of attendance and what is and isn't included.
Paying for college: 4 ways to help lower your education costs
June 23, 2019

Getting accepted into college or graduate school is an exciting time for students and parents. As college continues to get more expensive, determining how you’ll fund your education is a big decision.

One of the tips in this article is to stay in state . Click the button below to read more.
New program helps Louisianans get their college degree

June 18, 2019

There are 653,000 Louisiana natives who have some college credit, but no degree. A new initiative called “Compete LA” under the University of Louisiana System seeks to change that.

Prospective students can apply to the program by going to  Competela.org . They then get matched with a coach who evaluates their degree path. The student then enrolls at a university that fits their needs. The coach stays connected with the student until they graduate.
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.