Unlocking Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide to the Stamps Scholarship and Other Financial Aid at LSU

Louisiana State University (LSU) is committed to providing access to one of the nation’s most valued degrees for all students. Beyond test scores, LSU values the comprehensive evaluation of each applicant through a holistic scholarship review process. Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen, transfer students, Louisiana residents, and out-of-state residents. This article explores the prestigious Stamps Scholarship at LSU, along with other scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to students.

The Stamps Scholarship at LSU

Since 2012, LSU has proudly partnered with the Stamps Scholars Programs, providing merit scholarships to the brightest and most outstanding undergraduate freshmen admitted to Louisiana State University. The Stamps Scholarship is Louisiana State University’s top scholarship opportunity for select incoming students of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College. This elite award offers a full cost of attendance for four years, as well as an unprecedented level of funding for enrichment experiences. These experiences can include study abroad programs or research opportunities, with a maximum of $14,000 allocated for such endeavors.

Nomination and Application Process

Prospective freshmen with a strong record of high academic achievement, leadership, and service are nominated for consideration through the admissions process. Prospective students must complete their application to the university through the Common Application and submit all required documentation by the scholarship priority deadline, December 15, to be considered. LSU’s application for admission also serves as the application for all university scholarships.

Selection of Stamps Scholars

Stamps Scholar candidates will be chosen from the pool of students admitted to the LSU Honors College, and top candidates will be invited to compete for the Stamps Scholarships. Scholars weekend activities and interviews will be held on LSU's campus.

Stamps Scholars Program: A Legacy of Excellence

The Stamps Scholars Program was founded by E. Roe Stamps and his late wife Penny in 2006, with the purpose of enabling extraordinary educational experiences for extraordinary students. If you’re invited to apply for this great opportunity and are an incoming student at LSU’s Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College, you are encouraged to do so.

Read also: Future Leaders Program

Additional Scholarship Opportunities at LSU

LSU awards numerous scholarships each academic year through the fundraising efforts of generous private donors. The university has an online scholarship management system called Blackbaud Award Management. To access these opportunities, you will log in to this one-stop-shop by using your myLSU credentials.

Types of Scholarships Available

Below is a list of available scholarship opportunities:

Alexander P. Tureaud, Sr.
David B.
Joseph N.
Josephine R.
Luke S.
Ronald E. and Cecilia M.
Thomas E.
A. A.
A. A.
A. A.
A. B.
A. The A.
A. A. K.
A. K.
A. K.
A. The A.
A. A.B.
A. B.
A.B. The A.
A. B.
Albert H. The Albert H.
Alden J. and Barbara S.
Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. The Alfred C. Glassell, Jr.
Alice A. & Milton E.

Accessing Scholarship Applications

Some scholarships require an additional application specific to your senior college or to an individual opportunity. It is important to check Blackbaud Award Management regularly for updates and new opportunities.

Federal and State Financial Aid Programs

In addition to the scholarship programs, the Office of Enrollment Management administers a number of federally funded and state funded financial aid programs. LSU administers all Title IV federal programs which are based on a student’s demonstrated financial need. Funds received from the federal programs help students to cover school expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation.

Federal Pell Grants

Undergraduate students working toward their first degree are eligible for consideration.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

Undergraduate students working toward their first degree, who show exceptional financial need may qualify.

Louisiana Go Grants

Undergraduate students working toward their first degree, who have remaining financial need after deducting Student Aid Index(SAI) and all federal/state/institutional grant or scholarship aid (‘gift aid’) from student’s Cost of Attendance (COA).

Federal Work-Study Program

Campus jobs are provided to half-time students, not on academic probation, who show financial need. Students earn an hourly wage (beginning at minimum wage) and are paid every two weeks. Students who are awarded Federal Work-Study employment have the option of choosing job sites designated as community service agencies.

William D. Direct Stafford Loans

Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans: Based on financial need, the interest on this loan does not accrue while the student is in school.
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: This program enables students to borrow, regardless of need.

Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

This program allows parents of dependent students to borrow per year up to the cost of education, less any other aid. The repayment period begins on the day the loan is disbursed, and the first installment to the DOE is due within 60 days of that date.

Direct Graduate PLUS Loans (GRAD PLUS)

This program is a loan for graduate and professional students that are taken in their own name. This loan will give these students a valuable federal loan alternative to private loans. Just like parent borrowers, these students will be able to borrow under the PLUS program up to the cost of education less other aid received.

Loan Disbursements

Loan disbursements normally occur the week prior to the start of classes. Depending on the award package, loans will be disbursed accordingly: (1) summer, fall, and spring loans will occur in three equal disbursements; (2) fall and spring loans will occur in two equal disbursements; and (3) semester only loans will disburse in one disbursement at the start of the semester. All federal aid funds are applied directly to your student account in the Office of Bursar Operations. If the amount credited to your account is greater than the amount you owe to the university, you will be issued a refund for the credit balance.

Applying for Federal Aid: The FAFSA

Students who wish to apply for the programs described in this section should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov. It is recommended that the application be filed no later than February 15 for summer or fall enrollment or October 1 for spring enrollment. Once the Office of Enrollment Management & Student Success has received your FAFSA, additional documentation will be requested through your myLSU accounts.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

LSU scholarship recipients who are considering dropping below full-time status should contact the Office of Enrollment Management to determine effects on scholarship retention. Specific GPA and credit hour requirements must be met to maintain eligibility for many scholarships.

General Requirements

Generally, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn 24 credit hours each year (fall, wintersession, and spring). Scholarship amounts are awarded based on residency status. Students who do not meet these requirements at the end of each spring semester will be placed on scholarship probation.

Probation and Appeals

LSU scholarship recipients who feel that extenuating circumstances have prevented you from meeting the retention requirements for a scholarship, you may be eligible for a scholarship appeal. The appeal must be submitted with accompanying documentation by the deadline date given. All supporting documents will be retained in the student’s file. Students on scholarship probation are given the subsequent fall and spring semesters to bring their cumulative GPA to the required 3.0.

Specific Scholarship Requirements

Some scholarships may have additional or different requirements:

Requirement of 30 Credit Hours: Some scholarships require students to earn 30 credit hours each year (fall, wintersession, and spring).
Minimum GPA of 2.0: Certain scholarships require a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Full-Time Status: Students must maintain full-time status prior to the completion of the 14th class day unless it is the student’s graduating semester.
Graduate Students: Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Consequences of Not Meeting Requirements

Failure to meet the GPA or credit hour requirements may result in the scholarship being permanently cancelled.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

In order to receive financial aid, a student must be making satisfactory academic progress. If these established criteria are not met at the end of the fall, spring, or summer semesters, students may seek to appeal if mitigating circumstances affected their academic performance. For a student to re-establish eligibility they must either (1) receive an approved appeal or (2) meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements at the end of the next semester in which they enroll. Students are notified when they are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress at the end of each semester.

Return of Financial Aid Funds

Students who receive financial aid funds and then resign or unofficially withdraw (cease attendance) during the first 60 percent of the enrollment period will be required to repay all or part of the aid they received. The amount of aid that must be returned is based on the period of time the student remained enrolled. Federal aid must be returned within 45 days to the appropriate programs in the following order: Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, PLUS (Parent) Loans, Graduate PLUS Loan, Pell Grants, and SEOG. The amount of aid to be returned will be calculated at the time of resignation. For unofficial withdrawals, the amount will be calculated at the end of the enrollment period.

Campus Employment Opportunities

Those students who want to work on campus, but do not qualify on the basis of financial need, may seek regular student employment by contacting various departments on campus. Only students who are not on academic probation are eligible to hold campus jobs and enrolled at least half-time. Graduating seniors who are part-time in their final semester may have permission to work in a campus job. The LSU Olinde Career Center location in the Student Union provides assistance to those who seek part-time, internship, co-op, or volunteer positions on and off campus.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, Pleasant Hall, assists students who qualify for various Veterans Affairs educational benefits, Louisiana National Guard, or Dependents’ State Aid exemptions.

Honors College Scholarships

The Ogden Honors College awards scholarships both through Honors College scholarships and through general LSU scholarships.

Cain Scholarship

The Cain scholarship is awarded to Louisiana State University. This scholarship is made possible by Gordon A. Cain and Mary H. and Ruth Cain.

Additional Resources and Support

LSU values our students as more than just a test score, and we are committed to providing access to one of the nation's most valued degrees for all students. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is available to assist students with any questions or concerns they may have.

tags: #stamps #scholarship #lsu #requirements