A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
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Amid pandemic, fewer students seek federal aid for college
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In the first few weeks after the novel coronavirus struck, education officials noted the number of Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) had decreased when compared to last year's data. Several states,
including Louisiana
, launched campaigns urging students to apply for aid even if they were unsure about their attendance for the 2020-21 academic year.
LOSFA launched its
FAFSA Now
campaign in April.
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As of June 26, 73.5% of Louisiana's 47,669 seniors had completed a FAFSA, leaving a total of 12,648 students LOSFA continues to try and reach.
The graphic (right) compares data this year, to last year's numbers.
Several states did have notable gains with their campaigns, however, the Associated Press reports the numbers are still low - particularly for low-income students who are more likely to complete their financial aid forms toward the end of their senior year.
Click the button below to read more.
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Despite the uncertainty of 2020 and the passing of Louisiana's July 1 priority deadline, state education officials continue to promote FAFSA completion and FAFSA error corrections by utilizing social media (see example below), interviews with local/state media, Signal Vine text messaging, one-on-one virtual assistance, and for students without access to internet - the FAFSA app.
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This graphic (right) was one of many LOSFA created and used during its
FAFSA Now
campaign. This particular reminder had several re-tweets on Twitter.
Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr., Chancellor of Bossier Parish Community College, Xavier University's Financial Aid Department, the National College Attainment Network, and Brainiac Tutoring are among those who shared the graphic.
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State officials have started processing 2020 graduates for TOPS eligibility
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LOSFA began processing 2020 graduates for TOPS eligibility in June.
Award notifications were sent out via the Student Hub on LOSFA's website. Students have been instructed to set up a Student Hub account, so they can track their TOPS award throughout their post-secondary education.
Students can find their award letter by clicking on
the communications tab and then looking under notifications. The award letter will let students know their TOPS award level, how to accept the award, and the retention requirements.
If a student is locked out of their Student Hub account or does not know their LOSFA ID, contact
custserv@la.gov
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Click
here
to read the Louisiana Radio Network's article and interview with LOSFA's Executive Director, Dr. Sujuan Boutte.
Click
here
to read article shared by 105.7, in Leesville, Louisiana.
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FAFSA application deadline is July 1st
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During the final week of the
FAFSA Now
campaign, Baton Rouge media reminded students about Louisiana's upcoming priority FAFSA deadline.
LOSFA also provided guidance that directed students to seek additional assistance from the financial aid office at their post-secondary institution of interest, to request special circumstances, if their finances have changed.
Click the button below to watch.
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Class of 2020
:
You have persevered and successfully navigated through trying times,
while showing your peers nothing can hinder you from reaching your
educational goals.
LOSFA congratulates you and wishes you a successful future in your quest
for college access!
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Celeste Waddle
graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.
She will attend Northwestern State University and major in Nursing.
"Entering high school was scary and becoming a senior was even scarier. I had no clue what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go or even how to fill out a [college] application! Luckily, we had amazing people from LOSFA visit us and help us with everything we needed. They showed us how to fill out the FASFA, helped us fill out college applications, and told us about scholarship opportunities - which helped me land a $27,920.00 scholarship, a $20,000 scholarship, and acceptance letters to three different universities. LOSFA has helped me prepare for my future in so many ways and they will continue to do so for a lot more people."
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Chanse Robinson
graduated from Lincoln Preparatory High School in Grambling, Louisiana.
He will attend the University at Buffalo in New York, majoring in Business.
"I'm not sure if anyone saw me for anything more than an athlete, but Mr. Nick (my mentor with LOSFA's Aspire to Inspire Intensive and Comprehensive Mentoring Program) saw me as so much more. My destiny was being controlled by others because of what I could do on the field and the court, and I realized it didn't have to be that way. I can be anything I set my mind to. My skills earned me a scholarship to the university of my choice. I can own businesses or buy real estate - my vision is so much bigger now. I thank LOSFA for pushing me."
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Bobbretta Quarles
is the 2020 Valedictorian of Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling, Louisiana.
She is deciding which of the nine schools, that she was accepted to, is the best fit for her, as she pursues a career in nursing.
“I love what LOSFA does for our school - because of them, we know how to pay for college, we know what to expect when we get on campus, and know what to do with our degree. I appreciate all LOSFA has done for us.”
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Caleb Tullos
graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
He will attend McNeese State University and major in Theatrical Arts.
"LOSFA has helped me tremendously through high school! They helped me reach my goals by assisting me in filling out my college application to McNeese State, and getting scholarships to help me advance my education!"
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Tana Hall
graduated from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
She will attend McNeese State University and major in Music Education.
"LOSFA helped me when I wasn’t sure of what college I wanted to attend - or how to get accepted.
They also gave me advice when I needed it on how to achieve a higher ACT score."
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East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome hosted a virtual town hall meeting in June. Topics included academic and financial needs for K-12 and post-secondary students.
Ebony Holmes, Program Administrator with LOSFA's Public Information & Communications division presented TOPS information for first-time and continuing students.
Brittani Williams, LOSFA's Financial Aid and Career Development Specialist, moderated the panel discussion.
The town hall also covered information on financial aid and the FAFSA.
Click the image above to watch the video.
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Louisiana Tech ranked in top 5 percent of universities worldwide
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Out of 20,000 universities worldwide, Louisiana Tech University has been ranked in the top five percent of institutions (no. 223) by the Center for World University Rankings.
The organization grades universities on seven factors, among them are: quality of education, quality of faculty, alumni employment (number of alumni who have held top positions at the world's largest companies), and research output.
"This ranking recognizes the innovation we continue in our studios, labs, and classrooms, where students work side-by-side with faculty members to achieve excellence," said Dr. Les Guice, President of Louisiana Tech University.
Click
here
to see the 2020-21 Center for World University Rankings report.
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LSUA Department of Nursing receives Blue Cross Blue Shield Award
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The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation has awarded $435,000 to the department of nursing at Louisiana State University at Alexandria (LSUA).
LSUA will use the money to award scholarships to students who commit to work in Central Louisiana as a registered nurse. The award will also fund the salary amount for a full-time nursing faculty member who will provide academic support to struggling nursing students.
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HBCU leaders approach fall reopenings with caution and optimism
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As the country faced a pandemic and calls to address social injustices, the mission of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) has been strengthened.
One of the largest issues uncovered by COVID-19 was the technology gap (digital divide).
Part of this article discusses why students at
Grambling State University
were prepared for learning during this time - thanks to federal and state funding which recently upgraded the university's technology.
“
We are really in position to handle this moment in time, where technology is so critical to the delivery of education
,’’ said Rick Gallot, President of Grambling State University.
The article also details why President Gallot believes Grambling students will return for the upcoming school year.
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The digital divide has been one area exposed, due to COVID-19. Some families have relied on shared computers, cellular data plans, and driving to hot spots to complete the school year.
"
Almost half of the world’s population, after all, is still not online; and in the U.S.,
20 percent of students
don’t have the technological capabilities they need for online or in-person education, with students from low-income families and students of color disproportionality affected
," the authors write.
This article discusses COVID's impact on race and how not all students are ready for digital learning.
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LOSFA remains committed to meeting the needs of students in Louisiana. Through partnerships and with state and federal dollars, LOSFA Programs addresses the digital divide in Louisiana by providing varying levels of college and career readiness support to middle, high and post-secondary students and families through several modes of delivery, such as: customer service emails, social media, texting, emails, phone calls, and one-on-one, small or large group Zoom meetings/workshops.
Click the image to the right to see LOSFA's efforts to address the Digital Divide during COVID-19.
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Colleges' plans for reopening in the Fall
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The Chronicle of Higher Education has updated its list of colleges' plans for the upcoming fall semester. Currently, they are tracking 1,000 institutions.
In Louisiana, they reported:
Grambling State University Planning for in-person
Louisiana Tech University: Planning for in-person
McNeese State University: Planning for in-person
Nicholls State University: Planning for in-person
Northwestern State University: Planning for in-person
Southeastern Louisiana University: Planning for in-person
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Planning for in-person
University of Louisiana at Monroe: Planning for in-person
University of New Orleans: Planning for in-person
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Mother and daughter graduate from medical school together, placed at same hospital
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Dr. Cynthia Kudji, 49, and her daughter, Dr. Jasmine Kudji, 26, not only graduated from medical school together - they will both complete their residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans.
Cynthia is planning to train in family medicine while Jasmine will pursue general surgery.
Jasmine says as she grew up and watched her mother's nursing career, she learned the field was a chance to be in a position of service.
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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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