A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
LOSFA staffer earns credential from National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Brittani Williams with her sons: Little Eric, Noah and Nate & husband, Eric
Brittani Williams 2nd in state to earn Administrative Capability credential
Ask Brittani Williams what she’s passionate about and she’ll likely give you three answers: her faith, her family and financial aid.
 
Williams has worked in the financial aid field for 11 years.

In October, Williams completed the Administrative Capability credential course offered by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). 

“I took this course so I could gain knowledge and be able to assist our post-secondary partners to ensure financial aid counselors are capable of counseling students," Williams said. "I get to see the complete picture. Working at LOSFA, I help guide students through the college process. With the financial aid counselors I'm making sure they know how to utilize their funding. My goal, our goal, is to see the students succeed."
How one state increased FAFSA completion by 26 percent
In the 2016-17 school year, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) was one of 22 organizations selected by NCAN as a grantee for the FAFSA Completion Challenge, which was sponsored by the Kresge Foundation.

This grant work laid the foundation for how LOSFA would strategize to increase FAFSA completion in Louisiana in 2017-18.
Compete to Complete is LOSFA's tool used to track FAFSA Completion Rates around the state
Student Voice: Cutting TOPS is not the way to balance the state’s budget
This opinion piece is written by Ethan, a 17-year-old high school senior from Metairie. He is a member of NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune’s NOLA Student Voices team .
Education in Louisiana needs to be emphasized, and students who wish to attend college should be supported, not met with a roadblock.

From 2007 to 2015, Louisiana cut higher education spending by $800 million, which ranked as the top state in the nation for cuts to colleges and universities. In addition to that, Louisiana cut higher education by $18 million in 2016.
Louisiana college leaders seek
$172 million budget boost next year
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education
Louisiana Board of Regents
After absorbing nearly a decade of cuts and receiving flat funding this year, Louisiana's top higher education board voted Wednesday to ask the governor and lawmakers for a $172 million increase for public colleges next year.

Under the Regents proposal for college campuses, the new money would be directed to need-based aid for students through the GO Grant program, faculty pay raises, e-textbooks and increased spending on the TOPS tuition program.
Seniors encouraged to complete college applications
Last month, we shared that Governor John Bel Edwards declared October as Louisiana College Application & Access Month (LCAAM) .

Check out this coverage from KNOE.
National News on College Access & Success
Which Louisiana schools make 'Best Colleges' list, give students a good deal?
WalletHub released its "Best Colleges" list, ranking schools across the country on whether they offer students a good deal — "top-performing schools at the lowest possible costs to undergraduates."

Five Louisiana universities made the financial advising website's top 500.
New Data Brings Daylight To The Graduation Gap In Higher Education
Photo Credit: Annie Smith
Until recently, there was limited information about how colleges rank in terms of graduating students from limited economic means.

Thanks to a push for greater data transparency, colleges’ graduation rates for students from low and moderate-income families are now out in the open.
Other Related News
Yes, you need to fill out the FAFSA form. Debunking 5 myths about college financial aid.
Whether your child will be applying for early admission to college or is a returning student, you need to make sure the form is completed as soon as possible.

Procrastinating can cost you money.

Despite how daunting the process can be, I’m surprised so many parents and students fail to file a FAFSA, believing it doesn’t matter.
Most parents and students have no idea how much college really costs
College costs are catching students and parents off guard. When predicting how much it costs to attend a post-secondary institution, students forecasts were off by an average of $10,5000 and parents by $8,800. This article explains how to more accurately determine the cost.
Photo Credit: Hill Street Studios | Getty Images
Photos Shared on Social Media
Edna Karr High student celebrates their College Application Spirit Week
LaGrange High student celebrates completing her application to ULM
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.