A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents |
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NCCEP features inside look at how LOSFA Programs supported students |
The National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) recently featured one of LOSFA's outreach initiatives known as Explorers' Club.
Click the picture (right) to see how some of LOSFA's Explorers' Clubs continued its mission of supporting students through virtual platforms.
The Explorers' Club is part of the Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), part of LOSFA Programs. Louisiana GEAR UP is a federally funded college readiness and success program; the Explorers' Club is a student-run organization that provides peer leadership opportunities. Student members are charged with making wise academic and behavioral decisions that lead to success in post-secondary education.
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Top Performing 529 College Savings Plans 2020 |
Louisiana's 529 college saving plan, known as the Student Tuition Assistance & Revenue Trust (START) program, has been ranked as one of the best for its three-year investment performance.
Money saved in a START account can be used to pay for Qualified Higher Education Expenses such as tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and equipment required for enrollment by the college or university.
Savingforcollege.com, an independent resource for parents and financial professionals, analyzes thousands of 529 plans. The group seeks to provide parents with information on the benefits of 529 college savings plans, so they can prepare for the increasing cost of college.
Click here to learn more about signing up for a START account.
Opening a START account requires Louisiana residency. There are no charges to open an account and depending on the investment fund chosen, the state could match up to 14% of what is deposited.
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Capacity Building and Communicating to Increase FAFSA Completion |
In August, LOSFA staff were asked to participate in a webinar, hosted by the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), on collaborating with community partners to increase FAFSA completion.
The webinar focused on which strategies were effective for communicating the importance of the FAFSA, productive partnerships, and successful FAFSA completion campaigns.
Brittany Francis, LOSFA's Public Information and Communications Director, and Brittani Williams, LOSFA's Financial Aid and Career Development Specialist, presented on the effectiveness, community reach, and results of the agency's FAFSA Now campaign.
To watch a recording of the webinar, click the button below.
Note: LOSFA's presentation begins at 39:45 and runs through 1:05:05.
You may need to register to view the webinar.
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Louisiana Tech offers certified counselor’s Zoom talk on reducing anxiety for students, teachers |
Students and teachers will learn how to cope with anxiety this school year, due to COVID-19 and changes in society.
Through a partnership with Louisiana Tech and others, LOSFA Programs helped sponsor certified counselor, educator, and inspirational speaker, Jessica Minahan to speak with educators about ways to help students reduce the impact of stress in their lives.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to understand how to support our students and families holistically,” said Dr. Tireka Cobb, director of field outreach services for LOSFA and Louisiana GEAR UP.
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Cobe Beamon
Cobe has received tutoring for algebra and geometry through Louisiana GEAR UP. Tutoring is one form of academic support for students to learn more advanced skills, have homework assistance, receive instruction for credit recovery and to help foster good study habits.
Cobe's tutor says he has been a part of the program for the past two years and he is a great student.
“Tutoring helped give me a chance to understand topics I didn’t understand in class. It also allowed me to review topics that were taught a little too fast in class or material missed from being absent.”
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Camyria Brown
Camyria, now a high school student, has received tutoring services from Louisiana GEAR UP since she was in middle school.
Her tutor says Geometry was a challenge, but she persevered and was one of the best students in her class.
“The tutoring that was offered in middle school has help me progress and do my best in high school."
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As students embark on a new school year, LOSFA released several videos via social media to remind students about the importance of selecting a post-secondary institution that is the best match for them.
These videos highlight LOSFA's 5 Point Match and Fit tool, which asks:
What am I good at? (Aptitude, Skills, and Interests Match)
Can I get in? (Academic Match)
Can I afford it? (Cost of Choice Match)
Who gets me? (Social and Emotional Match)
Will I stay or will I go? (Retention Match)
In partnership with the Council of Student Body Presidents (COSBP), seven student body presidents from Louisiana's colleges and universities answer how their own college experience parallel's each match point.
Click the video above to see each video.
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What Virtual Learning Means for Students Without Internet Access |
Many school districts have continued virtual schooling for the beginning of the new academic year, but online learning will be more difficult for some.
This story highlights what some families are struggling with, as five siblings share one cellphone hotspot to keep up with school.
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It’s a strange back-to-school season, and teens are feeling stressed |
This year's return to school has left many students worried, anxious, and unsure of what the future holds.
Many districts have moved to online or hybrid learning, and students are worried they may not be able to keep up with changing formats or classes that are not conducive to an internet environment.
Not only are they worried about school, but recent events in the world.
Click the link below to read more.
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Colleges explore innovative ways to reopen safely |
Procedures were put in place to help students and faculty safely return to Louisiana's colleges and universities. Some of those safety measures began as soon as students moved into their dorm rooms. Louisiana State University allowed students a two-hour period to move in.
Campuses have added plexiglass shields around campus and have labeled stairwells as either 'up' or 'down', to control the flow of students.
In New Orleans, Xavier University has created Community Health Advocates to assist with keeping students informed of health and safety protocols.
Click the button below to read more.
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Local community college among the best in the nation |
Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) in Minden, Louisiana, was recently ranked as one of the best in the nation.
SmartAsset, a financial technology company, analyzed student-to faculty radio, graduation and transfer rates, and tuition and fees at more than 800 community colleges to come up with its top 10 list.
NLTCC was ranked No. 6. and offers programs that enable graduates to earn a certification and join the workforce in 18 months or less.
The institution recently added 'community' to its name, which has allowed students the ability to earn an associates degree.
Click the button below to read more about NLTCC being named one of the best.
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Five reasons financial literacy should be learned young |
With the loss of jobs, due to COVID-19, some people are dipping into their savings to survive. Others may be searching for minimum wage jobs. While many citizens are struggling, the current climate brings to light the importance of teaching financial literacy.
The article suggests parents teach their children to save their money and how to make smart investments to supplement their income.
Most importantly, it says children should learn to budget - know what you have and know what you can spend.
Click the button below to read the article.
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About LOSFA
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), a program of the Louisiana Board of Regents, strives to be Louisiana's first choice for college access by promoting, preparing for and providing equity of college access.
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