LibGuides: Paying for College in Louisiana: General Information

Six Sources of Financial Aid

State Government
- Louisiana offers TOPS and other great programs.
Federal Government
- Main source of financial aid in grants, loans, and more.
Military
- GI Bill, ROTC, and other programs are available.
Your College
- Make sure to contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend.
Your Employer
- Some employers offer tuition assistance to their employees.
Private scholarships and awards
- Some directories are listed in the book section.

Understanding College Financial Aid

Understanding FAFSA
Earning a college education is one of the best investments in your future. Today, college students and their families face a “perfect storm” – college tuition is climbing, the economy is weakening, and credit is tightening. Figuring out how to pay for a college education is more challenging than ever before. But one thing hasn’t changed, filling out the government’s aid form is still complicated and time consuming.

Federal Government

Federal Student Aid
The place to start for all federal financial aid including grants and loans.
Types of Federal Student Loans
Because college tuition and related educational costs are expensive, many students and their families rely on loans to help finance their educations. Generally, there are two types of education loans:Federal Education Loans (those that are funded and/or guaranteed or insured by the federal government) and Private Education/Alternative Loans (non-federal loans funded by banks and other lending institutions).

Military

GI Bill website
Official government website for GI Bill.
National Guard
Join the National Guard and get the money you need for college. You can receive hands-on training in one of over 200 career fields. And best of all, you can get it now. You don't have to wait several years to get the benefits. That's because, in the Guard, you serve part-time, close to home, a minimum of, one weekend a month and two weeks a year. This is all while you attend college or work full-time.
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (SDEAP)
Survivors and dependents of some service members are eligible for education benefits under this program. Eligible survivors and dependents may receive as many as 45 months of education benefits toward a college degree or certificate, an apprenticeship, or on-the-job training.
Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
REAP is a Department of Defense education benefit program designed to provide educational assistance to members of the Reserves who were called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency.
Army, Navy, and Air Force Loan Repayment Program
For many college students, debt becomes a significant concern after graduation. Those who enter the Army, Navy, or Air Force may be eligible to have some or all of their student loans repaid.
Military.com Education
Military.com's free membership connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service — government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and much more.

We believe that the benefits earned in the service should be easier to access and written in plain English. We're passionate about helping members make the most of military experience throughout life.

Louisiana State Government

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOFSA)
LOFSA offers the TOPS program as well as other programs such as the Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) program; the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership program (LEAP); and the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship program.
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)
A series of merit-based scholarships that award amounts equal to tuition, some including a stipend, at a state public college, university, community college or technical school, (or the weighted average of public school tuition at certain in-state private colleges.
START Saving Program
The START Saving Program is Louisiana's 529 College Savings Plan, and is a great way to save for a child's college education.

Books at the State Library

Don't Miss Out
Call Number: 378.3 Lei
ISBN: 02776987
(2009) - (2011)
Reference Collection
Getting Financial Aid
Call Number: 378.38 Col
(2009) - (2010)
Reference Collection

The books listed below are at the State Library. Please check with your local public library for more titles. They may have newer editions and other titles not listed.

Paying for College Without Going Broke
Call Number: 378.309 Pay
2004, 2009, 2011
Peterson's college money handbook
Call Number: 378.309 Pet
(2008) - (2009)
College Financing Information for Teens by Karen Bellenir (Editor)
Call Number: 378.30973 Col 2008
ISBN: 9780780809888
Publication Date: 2007-10-15
Peterson's Sports Scholarships & College Athletic Programs
Call Number: 796.079 Pet
1999 (4th ed.) ; 2004 (5th ed.)