From the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
A Program of the Board of Regents
MARCH 2022
A Word from LOSFA
"LOSFA in the News" has been rebranded to "LOSFA College Access Monthly" to focus more on articles and news stories affecting our state in the areas of college access, success, and financial assistance.
LOSFA Mentions
College enrollment, TOPS participation down in Louisiana. Here's why leaders are concerned.
Throughout the state, both enrollment and participation in TOPS are down at Louisiana public colleges and universities, setting off alarms among higher education leaders.

"It is hard to say that this is strictly pandemic," said Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed. "I think it is the result of multiple disruptions."

According to preliminary data presented to the state Board of Regents, enrollment at public colleges has dropped 2.6% for the fall of 2021; which mirrors the national decline of 2.7%.

On the other hand, high school acceptance rates for TOPS scholarship have also been on the decline, falling nearly 8% between 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The state officials plan to hold focus groups among both secondary and post-secondary students to gauge what's going on.
Louisiana higher education officials defend proposed
spending increases
Louisiana higher education officials testified before the Senate Finance Committee, fielding questions on requested increases in student aid, a dip in the TOPS scholarship program, and efforts to keep graduates in Louisiana.

The hearing centered on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposed spending increase of $111 million across higher education, with $75.6 million directly from the state’s general fund. About $31.7 million would go to increase faculty salaries across all of the state’s higher education institutions, $17.2 million for state services at those facilities, and a boost of $15 million for the higher education funding formula.

Regarding Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), officials told the committee the funding request for the program is essentially plateaued because demand for scholarships has declined during the pandemic.
Louisiana Tech holds hands-on physics minicamp
Louisiana Tech University’s Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC) and Physics program teamed up to host “Awesome Physics with Phones (APP),” a series of interactive, hands-on physics activities focused on learning about electromagnets and the physics of flight.

The program was offered as a part of Louisiana Gaining Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Louisiana GEAR UP) within the Louisiana Office of Student and Financial Assistance (LOSFA).

The content designers created activities that are designed to be fun and engaging while introducing students to physics concepts like electromagnetism, and forces involved in aerodynamics, according to Dr. Buddhini Waidyawansa, Adjunct Instructor of Physics.
On February 23, CASC Director of Public Information and Advising, Ebony Holmes, appeared on the FOX 8 Morning show to discuss the M.J. Foster Promise Program.
Social Media
The Financial Literacy for You (F.L.Y.) Tour has begun! During the month, the My LOSFA College Advocates (MLCA) have been presenting the virtual tour, hosting various middle and high schools throughout the state.

The F.L.Y. Tour is a dynamic college and career readiness presentation that takes students on a journey to help them find their perfect match and fit.
College Access News
SLCC receives $1.16M grant to help get residents into college
South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) received a five-year, $1.16M grant from the U.S. Department of Education through a program known as TRIO Education Opportunity Center (EOC). The funding aims to help colleges provide enhanced college admissions and support services to underserved populations.

The new grant will be used to create a Southern Rural Educational Opportunity Center, which will serve the populations of New Iberia, St. Martin, and
St. Mary parishes.
TRIO Louisiana celebrating 50th anniversary of serving students
The Louisiana Association of Student Assistance Programs (LASAP-TRIO) is celebrating 50 years of service locally to students and families throughout
the state.

LASAP was formed in 1972 to aid in the development, investment, and extension of educational opportunities to every student in the state of Louisiana, regardless of race, creed, or physical limitation who, because of financial, cultural, or educational factors have not yet developed to their
fullest potential.

As of today, Louisiana has 78 projects housed at Louisiana colleges and universities as they serve over 32,000 students from middle school through adult education.
'Learning by doing': Teens pitch Shark Tank-style for a share of $25,000
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge will be hosting a Shark Tank-styled event for students in Louisiana. Over the year, 19 students have completed a one-year program where they developed their businesses, wrote business plans, and developed pitches as they will pitch for a share of $25,000 to go towards launching their business in the Community Pitch.

With the money provided by Community Coffee, the students will have a chance to present and compete before a five-person panel to earn anywhere from $250 to $5,000 as seed investment for their companies. After the Community Pitch, one of the 19 students will be named as the winner and go on to compete against young entrepreneurs from across the country in June in New York.
Anonymous UNO donation will help freshmen from New Orleans public schools transition to college
An anonymous donor has pledged to donate $630,000 annually to a program aimed at improving student retention at the University of
New Orleans.

The money will jump-start Start Smart @ UNO, a program that includes a two-week summer session and a specialized fall semester with mentorship opportunities, and additional resources to aid students in their transition to college.

Start Smart @ UNO is available to incoming freshmen who attended public high schools in New Orleans and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
Louisiana State University partners with Kaplan to better prepare their student-athletes for the workforce
Louisiana State University has partnered with Kaplan Credegree to offer educational services to student-athletes. Kaplan Credegree, the global educational service provider, enhances college graduates’ job readiness and marketability by pairing the university’s traditional four-year degree program with industry-recognized credentials.

LSU, which is one of the first college athletics departments in the nation to adopt the program, hopes Kaplan will help bridge the gap between expectations of student-athletes and their prospects to play professionally; ensuring they are marketable in the workforce.
UL System partners with Open Waters Marine Initiative
The University of Louisiana System announced a partnership with the Open Waters initiative to bring awareness and diversity to the critically important maritime industry.

Open Waters is an alliance between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association to increase awareness and bring diversity to the maritime industry. The UL System is positioned to create maritime degree programs, offer internships, scholarships, and mentorships. 

Captain Lee Jackson and Captain Strother Sacra virtually expressed excitement for the future of the partnership. 

"We are creating a platform where we can educate young minds on the possibilities, advocate for the industry, and finally empower a System that doesn’t leave our most vulnerable behind,” Captain Jackson said. 

UL System member institutions are developing programs aligned with maritime industry needs. 
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.