Navigating Scholarships at LSU: A Comprehensive Guide

Louisiana State University (LSU) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to help students finance their education. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic achievement, leadership potential, and service to the community. This article provides a detailed overview of the different types of scholarships available at LSU, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and important deadlines.

Understanding LSU Scholarship Opportunities

LSU provides financial aid and employment opportunities to students who need assistance. The university recognizes that access to education should be available to all students, regardless of their financial background. LSU’s application for admission also serves as the application for all university scholarships.

Types of Scholarships Available

LSU Eunice, for example, offers a range of scholarships funded by private donors, businesses, and organizations. Some scholarships are endowed, providing a permanent source of funding, while others are contributed annually.

Board of Supervisors Scholarships

Members of the LSU Board of Supervisors have the authority to award a limited number of scholarships each year. Recent state legislation requires the LSU Board of Supervisors to disclose who they award scholarships to and the value of each scholarship. Each supervisor can award 20 scholarships, with a total value exceeding $1.4 million.

Academic Scholarships

These scholarships recognize students with outstanding academic records. Examples include:

Centennial Honor Awards: These cash scholarship awards are given to Louisiana residents who have an overall “B” average on high school work and a composite score of 25 on the ACT.
Merit Honor Awards: These cash awards are made to high school seniors with an ACT composite of 23 or above and a high school GPA of “B” on core academic subjects.

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants

LSU Eunice administers a broad program of financial aid and employment to help students who need assistance in financing their education.

Federal Pell Grants: These grants are available to qualified students enrolled in an approved post-secondary educational program.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: This grant is intended for the needy student.
Vocational Rehabilitation Grants: These grants are available to students who qualify because of physical disabilities which would ordinarily preclude the student from working. These grants are based on the individual needs of the student.

TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)

The Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a state-funded scholarship program that provides tuition assistance to Louisiana residents who meet certain academic requirements. There are four types of TOPS awards:

Opportunity Award: Requires a minimum 2.5 high school grade average in core courses and an ACT composite score equal to the prior year state average (currently 20).
Performance Award: Requires a minimum 3.0 high school average in core courses and an ACT composite score of at least 23.
Honors Award: Requires a minimum 3.0 high school grade average in core courses and a 27 or higher ACT composite score.
Tech Award: Requires a minimum 2.5 high school grade average in core courses and a 17 or higher ACT composite score. LSU Eunice students must be enrolled in an associate of applied sciences program or certificate program to qualify for this award.

Scholarships for Specific Groups

LSU also offers scholarships for specific groups of students, such as:

Children of Firefighters, Police Officers, Correctional Officers, Sanitation Workers, School Teachers, or School Employees Killed or Disabled: These students may be admitted tuition-free if they meet academic requirements and maintain a “C” average. They may also be entitled to cash grants for books.
Children and Wives, Widows, and Widowers of War Veterans: Those whose parents or spouses served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were killed or suffered a one-hundred percent service-connected disability during specific war periods may enroll tuition-free.
Louisiana National Guard Exemption: Louisiana residents who are members in good standing of the active Louisiana National Guard are exempt from paying tuition for five separate academic years or until they receive a bachelor’s degree.
Persons Age 65 and Over: Persons age 65 years of age and older may enroll in regular LSU Eunice courses without paying tuition.

Other Honor Awards

Pelican State Honor Awards: These awards are given annually upon the recommendation of the Director of Pelican Boys’ and Girls’ State.
4-H Club Honor Award.
Future Farmers of America Honor Awards.
Louisiana Academy of Science Honor Award.
LSU Eunice District Literary Rally Scholarships: These awards are given to first place winners in the various contests upon the recommendation of the Coordinator of the District High School Literary Rally at LSU Eunice.
Barton Freeland, Sr. Chancellor’s Scholarship: Preference will be given to a graduate of a high school in Acadia, Evangeline, or St. Landry Parish.
CLECO Endowed Scholarship: The recipient must be from a parish served by Central Louisiana Electric.

Loan Programs

LSU Eunice participates in several loan programs. Loans must be repaid according to terms of the note signed by the applicant.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans: These low interest loans are made to students attending school at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after leaving school or dropping below half-time enrollment. Students must complete an entrance interview when first receiving the Direct Stafford Loan and an exit interview when graduating, leaving LSU Eunice, or dropping below half-time.
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loans: This loan carries the same low interest rate as the Federal Direct Stafford Loan. Repayment of the principal begins six months after leaving school or dropping below half-time.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans: Parents with good credit histories may borrow funds for a dependent child who is enrolled at least half-time. The yearly loan limit is the cost of education minus any estimated financial aid. Repayment begins 60 days after the final disbursement. There is no grace period for this loan.

Eligibility Requirements for LSU Scholarships

Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific scholarship. However, some general requirements include:

Academic Achievement: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA and/or ACT score. High school students applying for scholarships should have a minimum 3.00 GPA in “core” academic subjects and an ACT composite score of 20 or above.
Louisiana Residency: Some scholarships are specifically for Louisiana residents.
Full-Time Enrollment: Most scholarships require full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours per semester).
Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress: Students must maintain a certain GPA to continue receiving the scholarship. In most cases, recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to continue receiving the scholarship.

A student automatically forfeits his or her award under the following conditions: failure to maintain the required scholastic average for any given scholarship or award; failure to claim the award for any semester; resignation during a semester; or being dropped from the rolls of LSUE.

How to Apply for LSU Scholarships

The application process for LSU scholarships typically involves the following steps:

Complete the LSU Application for Admission: The LSU application for admission also serves as the application for all university scholarships.
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, including some scholarships. LSU Eunice uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) to determine a student’s eligibility for all federal aid programs.
Complete the Online Scholarship Application: LSU Eunice students applying for scholarships must complete the online scholarship application.
Submit Supporting Documents: The Office of Financial Aid may request additional documents to verify eligibility for certain scholarships. Once the Office of Financial Aid receives the electronic financial aid file from FASFA, the student will be notified which supporting documents must be submitted before eligibility for aid can be determined.
Meet Application Deadlines: It is crucial to meet all application deadlines. Persons interested in LSU Eunice scholarships should apply by February 1 for scholarships that will begin the following fall semester. Applicants who apply after that date will be considered for any vacancies in scholarships that occur after scholarships have been awarded. To be considered for scholarships, students should apply by January 15.

Important Deadlines

Scholarship Priority Deadline: January 15. This is the scholarship priority deadline for LSU.
LSU Eunice Scholarship Application Deadline: February 1 for scholarships that will begin the following fall semester.
Fee Waiver Application Deadlines (LSU Eunice): August 23 for the fall semester, January 16 for the spring semester, and June 6 for the summer semester.

Changes to DEI Programming and Impact on Scholarships

LSU has recently undergone changes to its DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programming in response to federal orders. According to a report delivered to the Board of Supervisors, LSU has removed all identity-based requirements for its institutional financial aid. Several senior college programs identified as DEI have been altered to now be open to all.

While these changes may not directly impact the availability of scholarships, it is important to be aware of the university's evolving policies and how they may affect specific programs and initiatives.

Additional Resources

LSU Office of Financial Aid: Provides information and assistance with financial aid and scholarships.
LSU Eunice Office of Enrollment Management: Offers assistance with TOPS awards, eligibility, and regulations.
Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA): Administers the TOPS program.

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