🎓 Louisiana College Aid: What You Can Get (and What to Watch For)
Louisiana has one of the better aid systems in the South — but only if you hit the right steps. This page breaks down what’s automatic, what you have to apply for, and how to stack it without leaving money behind.
💡 Some programs (like TOPS) are automatic once you file FAFSA and meet test scores. Others (like GO Grant or Foster Promise) require extra steps or have limited funds. Read each section carefully.
📝 Step 1: File the FAFSA
Nearly every major aid program in Louisiana starts with the FAFSA — including TOPS, GO Grant, and the M.J. Foster Promise Program. You’ll need a student account and a parent account to complete it. And yes — this year’s FAFSA rollout was messy, but it’s still the key to unlocking every major grant in Louisiana.
🎯 Step 2: TOPS Scholarships (Merit-Based)
Louisiana’s flagship merit program. Pays different amounts based on GPA and ACT score. If your kid qualifies, TOPS is automatic after FAFSA.
| TOPS Award | Min GPA | Min ACT | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opportunity | 2.50 (core) | 20 | ~$6,172 |
| Performance | 3.25 (core) | 23 | ~$6,428 + $400 bonus |
| Honors | 3.50 (core) | 27 | ~$6,428 + $800 bonus |
| TOPS Tech | 2.50 | 17 | Covers 2-year or trade tuition — |
💰 Step 3: Other State Grants & Programs
These aren’t about GPA — they’re based on things like income, age, or career path. Some are automatic with FAFSA, but others need separate forms.
- GO Grant – $300–$3,000/year for Pell-eligible students. FAFSA required. Funds are limited, so file early.
- M.J. Foster Promise – Up to $3,200/year ($6,400 total) for students 20+ with no college degree, enrolling in 2-year or short-term training.
- Chafee ETV – Up to $5,000/year for foster youth or those adopted after age 14.
🎓 Career or Program-Based Aid
- BESE Tuition Program – Covers college classes for teachers or those becoming teachers. Priority for high-need areas.
- National Guard Patriot Scholarship – Covers fees for eligible LA National Guard members. Apply through your unit.
- Regional Contract Program – Helps fund out-of-state optometry or podiatry school for Louisiana residents.
- John R. Justice Repayment – Helps public defenders and prosecutors pay off law school loans.
- Rockefeller Wildlife Scholarship – $2,000/year (undergrad) or $3,000/year (grad) for wildlife science majors.
- Geaux Teach – Tuition help for students majoring in education. Some schools offer this directly.
🏫 Step 4: Louisiana Colleges to Watch
These are the state’s big public universities. Most offer their own scholarships that can be added on top of state money — so your kid could qualify for both. Pages coming soon:
- Louisiana State University (LSU)
- Tulane University
- 🔗 University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- 🔗 University of Louisiana at Monroe
- 🔗 Louisiana Tech University
- 🔗 Nicholls State University
- 🔗 McNeese State University
- 🔗 Southern University
- 🔗 Southeastern Louisiana University
- 🔗 Grambling State University
- University of New Orleans
✅ If your daughter qualifies for TOPS and gets a GO Grant, a big chunk of tuition is already covered. Add in school-level aid and it starts to look affordable — but only if you hit the deadlines.
⚠️ Heads up: Some programs (like GO Grant or Foster Promise) have limited funds — so even if your daughter qualifies, she might not get it unless you apply early.
🎓 Don’t try to memorize all this. Just start with the FAFSA, file early, and use this page as your guide when the offers start rolling in.