A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
LOSFA launches FAFSA Now campaign
In April, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) launched its FAFSA Now campaign, which urged high school students to complete their federal aid forms. Completing the FAFSA allows a student to learn what gift aid they may qualify for, and reduce their out-of-pocket expenses for post-secondary studies.

The campaign made virtual help available to students who registered for assistance. Help from LOSFA continues to be available with virtual office hour s, by texting t he word ‘LOSFA’ to 50065, using #GeauxFAFSA on social media, and/or emailing  GeauxFAFSA@la.gov .
 
LOSFA has partnered with several post-secondary institutions, whose presidents have also encouraged high school students to complete the FAFSA.

Click here to see the FAFSA Now video from Dr. Chris Maggio, President of Northwestern State University.
TOPS relief signed by Governor John Bel Edwards: Here is what that means for students
The Education Commission of the States, a nonpartisan and non-advocacy organization that serves state policymakers, shared how Louisiana's merit-based scholarship, known as TOPS , has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in its news roundup.

Governor John Bel Edwards signed Proclamation Number 41, which ensured high school seniors and post-secondary students would be able to meet eligibility requirements for TOPS.

Click here to read LOSFA's press release, which detailed how the governor's proclamation would impact these students.

Click below to read the story highlighted by the Education Commission.
#Here4Students: NCAN members are the helpers
The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) highlighted some of its members who have continued to provide support and meet the needs of students during the coronavirus pandemic.

The article highlighted LOSFA's efforts to minimize the effects of COVID-19, by stressing the importance of seeking financial aid and completing the FAFSA. LOSFA also hosted a Twitter chat, to motivate students and families to complete their federal aid forms and seek as much gift aid during this time as possible.
Financial aid for students may be more important than ever. LOSFA says it's important to file for FAFSA even in the middle of a pandemic
Following the launch of LOSFA's FAFSA Now campaign, WAFB interviewed Dr. Sujuan Boutte , about how COVID-19 has impacted graduating seniors and TOPS eligibility.

Click below to watch the interview.
Dr. Sujuan Boutte discusses financial aid on The Clarence Buggs Show
The Clarence Buggs Show set aside time to discuss how the novel coronavirus has affected education. Clarence Buggs interviewed Dr. Boutte, on a range of topics to ease any concerns from upper level high school students and their families.

Click the link below to listen.
Note: Dr. Boutte's segment begins around 3:20.
Freshmen antsy over COVID-19? Not in Louisiana, some education leaders say
While some colleges and universities are preparing for possible low enrollment from incoming freshman, due to COVID-19, some Louisiana institutions have reported an influx of students this fall.

Leaders with the University of Louisiana System say students may choose to start their post-secondary education closer to home.

Sujuan Boutte, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, says Louisiana's seniors have managed to respond to one important piece of the college process with almost two-thirds completing a FAFSA .
Student Showcase
Meet Bryslan Thomas!

Bryslan Thomas is a freshman at Lee Magnet High School. He says before he became a part of Louisiana GEAR UP (a program administered by LOSFA, which operates the Explorers' Club), his daily routing was to go to school, wait for football practice, and go home to play video games.

Bryslan says he wasn't serious about learning or preparing for college.

"After being introduced to Explorers' Club, my study habits got better. I started taking my work seriously and helping other friends look at their future and how they should prepare," Bryslan said.

He says being a part of the program showed him how to find colleges and universities that are the best match for him based on his learning style and his career choice. He has also had the opportunity to go to post-secondary institutions to learn what college and campus life is like.

Bryslan says he has also realized why his GPA is important and how a good GPA plays a part in financial aid.
"Before I was in Explorers' Club, I wasn't as focused on my future. Now, I'm excited about what my future holds!"
Shared on Social Media
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Several of Louisiana's colleges and universities shared LOSFA's FAFSA Now graphics on their social media platforms, to encourage incoming and current students to seek help with their FAFSA if they had questions.

LOSFA also engaged other partners for a Twitter Chat on the FAFSA.
Other Related News
Virtual tours grow, but will they have same impact?
With college tours on a temporary hold, prospective students are turning to virtual tours to help make decisions about which institution is the best for them.

According to this article in Inside Higher Ed, high school seniors are logging on to take virtual campus tours at a rate of 228 percent higher than in 2019 - making it more important for colleges and universities to showcase what makes them unique.

Click the link below to continue reading.
Some Louisiana universities consider, implement changes to admissions policy due to COVID-19
The effects of COVID-19 continue to ripple throughout the higher ed community.

Due to the widespread cancelling of ACT and SAT testing, and the uncertainty of make-up test dates, some Louisiana institutions are relaxing those requirements for future students.

Tulane University says that is the change they have decided to make for high school juniors who apply to the school. Instead, they will place more weight on a student's overall high school experience.

Colleges and universities are also trying to increase the amounts of financial aid they would be able to offer students.

Click the button below to read more.
How will the Coronavirus impact enrollment for rural students?
The shutdown of schools and college campuses around the country has highlighted one struggle in particular: what access rural students have to educational tools.

Communication with these students and reliable internet are not the only concerns. Some worry about the financial needs of rural students; Those whose parents have lost jobs and are now needing to find employment to help their families survive the effects of the coronavirus.

Click the link below to read the article.
College students' perspectives during COVID-19
Signal Vine, one of the student engagement tools used by LOSFA, held a discussion with post-secondary students to get their perspective on education during
COVID-19.

Students shared their experiences on how they are adapting to online learning, how they are preparing for their career (and whether the pandemic has them contemplating career changes), and how the current situation has impacted their motivation and feelings to returning to campus.

Click the button below to read the discussion.
McNeese showcases highest-achieving students
Virtual Academic Signing Day this year amid COVID-19 pandemic
Staff at McNeese State University chose to honor some of its incoming freshman students by hosting a virtual academic signing day. Academic Signing Day is a celebration of graduating high school seniors committing to the college of their choice.

"I didn't even know that was a thing. I thought it was just an athlete's type thing," said Jaci Stelly (pictured right), who will attend McNeeese this fall.

Despite campus closures, and COVID-19, staff at McNeese say they wanted to recognize these new students who have worked hard to achieve grades that qualified them for some of the highest scholarship awards.

Click the button to continue reading.
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.