Louisiana State University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on May 25, 2026
What This Page Covers:- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~73%
- Middle 50% ACT: 26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1220
- Average GPA: 3.7
🧭 Quick Admissions Strategy (based on where your student falls)
- Below the typical ranges: LSU can still be within reach, but merit money will be limited. Focus on raising GPA and test scores if possible—LSU’s best scholarships are tied directly to academic numbers.
- In the typical ranges: You’re in a strong position for admission, but don’t assume meaningful merit aid. LSU does offer automatic scholarships, but the higher-value tiers require stronger stats.
- Well above the ranges: This is where LSU becomes interesting financially. High GPA and test scores can unlock solid automatic merit, but the biggest awards (like full rides) are still competitive.
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📌 Louisiana State University at a Glance
🏆 Full tuition available (Stamps Scholarship & President's Alumni Scholars Award)
Average Net Price
$20,015/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
Check college site
No separate application.
Scholarships Tracked
7 opportunities
2 competitive · 4 hidden gem · 1 honors
Merit Evaluation
Holistic Review / Varies
Merit depends on profile rigor.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Dec 15 • FAFSA: Feb 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Stamps Scholarship & President's Alumni Scholars Award
Honors College
Honors Program Available
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Louisiana State University (Read This First)
- LSU is test-optional for admission, but test scores are often needed for higher merit scholarships—skipping them can cost real money.
- The top scholarships (full tuition/full ride) are highly competitive and not guaranteed even for strong students.
- Out-of-state students may see merit help, but it rarely brings costs down to in-state levels without top stats.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Louisiana State University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 26; SAT: 1220.
Average net price? About $20,015/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Louisiana State University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) |
In-State |
Out-of-State |
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) |
$12,472 |
$29,148 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) |
$15,404 |
$15,404 |
| Total (Direct Costs) |
$27,876 |
$44,552 |
Average Federal Net Price: $20,015 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Regional Tuition Program: Academic Common Market (SREB)
Residents of participating SREB states may qualify for
in-state tuition at LSU
if their chosen major isn’t offered at a public university in their home state and that major is ACM-approved.
Approval is application-based through your home state’s SREB office and LSU.
Example savings: Nonresident tuition & fees are
$29,148 vs. in-state
$12,472—
a potential annual savings of about
$16,676 for eligible majors.
Learn more: Visit our
Academic Common Market Guide for a step-by-step explanation.
Cost & Aid FAQs
Does LSU charge by credit hour or flat rate?
Full-time tuition covers 12–18 credit hours per semester; credits above 18 incur additional cost.
Is the Academic Common Market automatic?
No. Students must apply through their state’s SREB office and receive LSU confirmation.
Do out-of-state waivers stack with ACM?
No — students receive one nonresident tuition benefit at a time (ACM or waiver, whichever applies).
Sources:
https://lsu.edu/bgtplan/cost-of-attendance.php
https://lsu.edu/financialaid/scholarships/freshman.php
https://lsu.edu/financialaid/aid/nonresidentwaiver.php
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?159391-Louisiana-State-University
https://home.sreb.org/acm/states/louisiana/
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
At LSU, most scholarships are tied to the admission application, with no separate form required. Scholarships are awarded based on a combination of GPA and standardized test scores (if submitted) at the time of admission. LSU’s automatic merit scholarships are not stackable with the Academic Common Market or similar waivers.
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
*Award cutoffs and amounts may shift with each admissions cycle; eligibility estimates provided by LSU.
Superscoring: LSU superscores both SAT and ACT results for both admissions and scholarship decisions, maximizing your best subject scores from multiple test dates.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs
Do I need to apply separately? No. All eligible applicants are considered automatically, but admissions deadlines matter (Dec 15 for priority).
Is LSU test-optional? Yes, but submitting strong scores unlocks higher award bands. GPA alone may secure a base award.
Can you stack these with tuition waivers? Usually not. Academic Common Market or out-of-state tuition waivers cannot generally be combined with auto-merit scholarships.
Sources:
https://lsu.edu/financialaid/types_of_scholarships.php
https://lsu.edu/scholarships/enteringfreshman.php
https://lsu.edu/honors/scholarships.php
https://lsu.edu/scholarships/applyfreshman.php
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
LSU’s most selective, high-value awards—including full Cost of Attendance packages—are administered through the Ogden Honors College. There is no separate, published university-level competitive scholarship list for freshmen beyond the Honors pathway. The Stamps Scholarship and the President’s Alumni Scholars Award are LSU’s flagship merit awards, and full details are described in the Honors College section.
Heads up: The Stamps Scholarship and President’s Alumni Scholars Award are part of the Ogden Honors selection process. Award amounts, eligibility, and deadlines are detailed in the Honors College section below.
Full RideAutomatic
Stamps Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 15.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance scholarship
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Covers full cost of attendance for four years and generally does not stack with other major institutional merit awards beyond cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Stamps Scholarship covers full cost of attendance for four years, with approximate annual values around 33,000 dollars for Louisiana residents and 50,000 dollars for nonresidents. It also includes up to 14,000 dollars for enrichment experiences, a one-time laptop stipend, and possible paid research funding through the President's Future Leaders in Research Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
A tiny group of LSU's strongest incoming freshmen: exceptional academics, serious leadership, meaningful service, and standout performance through the semifinalist and Scholars Weekend process. Families should view this as a true reach scholarship, even for excellent students.
Full RideAutomatic
President's Alumni Scholars Award
📅 Deadline: December 15.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Ride
full cost of attendance scholarship
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Provides full cost of attendance and generally does not stack with other major institutional awards beyond cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
The President's Alumni Scholars Award covers full cost of attendance for four years, with approximate annual values around 33,000 dollars for Louisiana residents and 50,000 dollars for nonresidents. It includes a 2,000 dollar study abroad stipend and the chance to earn research funding through the President's Future Leaders in Research Program.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Top entering freshmen with exceptional academic records, leadership, service, and a strong Scholars Weekend performance. This is the kind of award where the minimum application path is not the real bar; the winners are usually among LSU's strongest admitted students.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Where are the big, selective awards? LSU’s top scholarships—the Stamps Scholarship and the President’s Alumni Scholars Award—are chosen through the Ogden Honors application, not a general pool.
Are there other competitive awards for non-Honors students? Not for freshmen; departmental and upper-division competitive awards are available later.
Can these be stacked with LSU’s automatic scholarships or ACM? Stacking is limited—Academic Common Market waivers cannot be combined with most nonresident merit, and most Honors awards replace basic auto-merit awards. Details are in the Honors College section below.
LSU public sources confirm that university-wide competitive freshman scholarships are only available through the Honors College process. Other notable university funds are either automatic, departmental, or for upperclassmen.
Sources:
https://lsu.edu/scholarships/enteringfreshman.php
https://lsu.edu/honors/scholarships.php
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
LSU offers a variety of niche awards—through departments, specialty programs, and high school credentials—that many families overlook. These can often stack with merit aid and help families close funding gaps.
App Required
PRISE Program (Engineering need-based)
📅 Deadline: Spring term; the specific date is announced each cycle and often falls in March or April.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000–$10,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Limited engineering cohort each entering year, subject to NSF and institutional funding. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
PRISE is designed to supplement, not replace, base merit and need-based aid for engineering students with financial need. Stacking remains subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Incoming engineering freshmen with financial need complete the PRISE application when it opens and file the FAFSA by LSU's priority date. Program staff review academic preparation, financial circumstances, and fit with the PRISE support and mentoring model.
Selection criteria: Selection balances academic potential in engineering, demonstrated financial need, and willingness to engage in PRISE support activities such as mentoring, advising, and cohort programming.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
PRISE stands for Preparing Resilient Individuals for Success in Engineering. It is an NSF-funded scholarship and student success program housed in LSU's College of Engineering. Public LSU materials list the award amount as to be determined, so the 2,000 to 10,000 dollar range should be treated as an estimated band that may vary by funding year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Engineering freshmen who have real financial need, strong academic promise, and a willingness to participate in the mentoring and student-success pieces of the program. This is not just a check; it is a support pathway.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Departmental Scholarships (Business, Engineering, Cyber, etc.)
📅 Deadline: Varies by department; many undergraduate departmental scholarships close between March and mid-April each year.
✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,000–$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Varies by department and endowed fund availability. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Departmental and college-based awards usually stack with LSU university scholarships and other aid up to cost-of-attendance limits. Individual donor funds may have their own restrictions.
📄
How to Apply
After admission, log into the LSU Scholarship Opportunities portal through myLSU, complete the general scholarship application, and submit any recommended college or departmental applications by the posted deadlines.
Selection criteria: Departments generally weigh major GPA, overall GPA, academic rigor, departmental involvement, and donor-specific criteria. Some selections are matched automatically from AcademicWorks profile data, while others are reviewed by faculty or scholarship committees.
💡
Strategic Detail
This row represents multiple smaller departmental and endowed funds administered through LSU's scholarship portal. The College of Engineering notes that it offers more than 500 scholarships, with many individual awards in the 1,000 to 4,000 dollar range. Other LSU colleges use similar department-level scholarship practices.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who do more than just get admitted. The best matches are usually declared majors in areas like business, engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and other LSU colleges who keep strong grades and actually complete the AcademicWorks profile and departmental steps.
App Required
STEM Pathways Gold & Silver STEM Seal Scholarships
📅 Deadline: April 15.
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 1 yrs)
$750–$1,500/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA👥 ~Up to 20 Silver and 10 Gold recipients per year, subject to funding. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
Gold-level recipients receive 1,500 dollars and Silver-level recipients receive 750 dollars for the freshman year, split between fall and spring. Awards may stack with other LSU scholarships up to cost-of-attendance limits.
📄
How to Apply
Louisiana graduates who earned a STEM Pathway Gold or Silver diploma seal submit the LSU STEM Pathways seal scholarship application by the posted deadline and enroll full time at LSU. The award is split between fall and spring. The spring portion requires a minimum 3.0 LSU GPA in the first semester.
Selection criteria: Eligibility-based award centered on completion of the state STEM diploma pathway and maintenance of at least a 3.0 GPA in the first LSU semester.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Silver STEM Seal Scholarship is worth 750 dollars and may go to up to 20 students each year. The Gold STEM Seal Scholarship is worth 1,500 dollars and may go to up to 10 students. Awards are split between fall and spring, and the spring portion requires a 3.0 first-term LSU GPA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Louisiana high school graduates who completed the STEM Pathways curriculum, earned the Gold or Silver STEM diploma seal, submit the separate application, and keep at least a 3.0 GPA during the first LSU semester.
Automatic
University College Freshman Scholarships (Delise-Bordelon, Cangelosi, Longsdorf, Losavio, King Sollberger, etc.)
📅 Deadline: March 1.
Non-Renewable
👥 ~Varies by endowed fund and year. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
These are one-time awards that usually layer on top of LSU merit and other aid, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
💡
Strategic Detail
Named University College funds such as Delise-Bordelon, Cangelosi, Longsdorf, Losavio, and King Sollberger each have their own criteria. LSU does not publish one universal GPA or class rank cutoff for all of these awards. Most are small, one-time scholarships in the several-hundred-dollar to 1,000 dollar range.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
First-year students whose AcademicWorks profile matches a specific donor fund. That might mean strong grades, Baton Rouge area ties, a single-parent household, a particular background, or another detail that fits the scholarship's criteria.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Dollar ranges based on LSU’s scholarship office and public data; deadlines are annual/typical cycles per current posted info.
Hidden Gem FAQs
Do these require extra applications? Most do—apply via myLSU/BAM by posted program deadlines.
Can these stack with merit? Yes—departmental, identity, and program awards generally stack with automatic merit aid unless otherwise noted.
What about band or athletic awards? Band has no merit-based program; athletics are via NCAA/Tiger Athletic Foundation, not the central scholarship office.
How to apply? Complete BAM profile and required supplements well in advance of deadlines.
Sources:
https://lsu.edu/scholarships/additional.php
https://lsu.edu/scholarships/enteringfreshman.php
🎖 Honors College
The Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College is where LSU gathers its most driven students. Admission is competitive, with essays and extra steps beyond the general application. For parents, it’s important to know that Honors is more than just small classes—it’s also the gateway to LSU’s biggest scholarships.
What a Typical LSU Honors Student Looks Like
GPA 3.8+ (unweighted), ACT 30+/SAT 1360+, rigorous AP/IB coursework, and leadership/service experience. Students submit an additional Honors essay and often interview for top awards.
Honors Perks that Matter
Priority class registration • Honors-only seminars • Faculty mentorship and thesis support • Dedicated residence hall • Access to top scholarships like Stamps and President’s Alumni Scholars.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Ogden Honors College Additional Awards (Honorific Scholarships)
📅 Deadline: Deadlines vary by award. Newly admitted Honors students should complete Blackbaud Award Management applications in late winter and early spring for best consideration.
✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$500–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
👥 ~Varies by endowed fund and year. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
These Ogden Honors honorific awards generally stack with LSU merit scholarships up to cost-of-attendance limits. Individual donor funds may have their own rules, and larger LSU awards may affect how the final aid package is structured.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to LSU and be admitted to the Ogden Honors College. Then log into LSU Scholarship Opportunities through Blackbaud Award Management using myLSU credentials and complete any Ogden Honors-related applications listed under Additional Awards.
Selection criteria: Holistic review within Ogden Honors based on GPA, Honors engagement, leadership, service, application quality, and fit with donor intent for each named scholarship.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
This row covers several named Ogden Honors College Additional Awards, including the Hans and Donna Sternberg Endowed Honors Scholarship, Richard Lipsey Honors College Scholarship, William L. Jenkins Scholarship, Matt and Melissa Juneau Family Honors Scholarship, Durci Family Fund Award, Glennadora and James H. Perry Scholarship, Beau and Natalie Fournet Honors Opportunity Scholarship, Henry Escalante Legacy Scholarship, and Shell Honors Student Leaders Award. LSU does not publish fixed dollar amounts or stat cutoffs for each individual fund, so the listed range should be treated as a typical small-to-mid Honors award band.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Ogden Honors students who are already strong academically and also match a specific donor priority. These are not broad automatic awards; they tend to go to Honors students with strong grades, leadership, service, engagement, and a clear fit with one of the named funds.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*Award numbers are approximate and can shift slightly each year depending on funding and applicant pool.
Honors College FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No—students must submit a separate Honors College application with essays and meet priority deadlines.
How many Stamps Scholars does LSU award?
Usually fewer than 10 students per year are selected.
How many President’s Alumni Scholars are chosen?
Roughly 10–15 students per year earn this award.
Does Honors add time to graduation?
No. Honors courses count toward degree requirements, and the thesis is built into upper-level credits.
When is the deadline?
Priority deadline is November 15 for full scholarship consideration. Final deadline is February 1.
Are Honors scholarships stackable?
Top awards like Stamps and President’s Alumni Scholars replace other merit aid. Departmental awards may stack if approved.
⭐ College Specialty
Louisiana State University (LSU) is the flagship public university of Louisiana and one of the largest research institutions in the South. Families often recognize LSU for its SEC athletics and strong school spirit, but academically the university is especially known for engineering, coastal and environmental research, business, and mass communication programs tied closely to industry across the Gulf Coast.
Nationally Known Program:
Petroleum Engineering (College of Engineering) — consistently ranked among the top programs in the United States due to LSU’s proximity to the Gulf Coast energy industry. Graduates frequently move into high-demand roles in oil, gas, and energy infrastructure companies.
- Engineering: Particularly strong in petroleum, chemical, and civil engineering, with direct pipelines to Gulf Coast energy, infrastructure, and industrial employers.
- Coastal & Environmental Science: LSU researchers play a major role in coastal restoration, hurricane research, and environmental resilience projects across Louisiana and the Gulf region.
- Mass Communication (Manship School): Highly respected nationally for journalism, political communication, and media research, with strong connections to public policy and media organizations.
- Business (E. J. Ourso College of Business): Known for accounting, finance, and energy-related business programs that connect directly with regional industry.
💡 Final Thoughts
LSU is the kind of place where a Louisiana student can get a flagship education at an in-state price—and where strong academics can unlock real scholarships. The automatic merit awards help lighten the load, and for families aiming high, the Ogden Honors College is where the biggest opportunities live. Add in hidden gems like STEM Pathway awards or departmental funding, and LSU becomes a strong value whether you’re from Baton Rouge or beyond. If your student is first-gen, the extra support and niche scholarships here can make all the difference.
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