A Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents
Open Up Opportunities for Success Through Mentorship
January 16, 2020

As part of National Mentoring Month, Brittani Williams, LOSFA's Financial Aid and Career Development Specialist , wrote a blog detailing why mentoring is an effective means to student success - particularly in under-served communities.

Click the button below to read Brittani's blog post.
CLTCC Student Leaders Gain Political Experience at College Convention
January 10, 2020

Shanco Williams , LOSFA's Student Advisory Board member, recently represented his institution, Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC), at College Convention 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

The convention allows students from all over the United States to participate in civic engagement and coincides with the presidential primary in New Hampshire.

Students hear from leading political candidates, engage with media, and interact with the people and issues that shape many of the presidential campaigns.

Williams is the SGA Executive President at CLTCC, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Student Board Supervisor.
Student Showcase
"Thank you for pushing me to be a better person and a better student. Louisiana GEAR UP has really made a difference in my life."


Daylinn Lewis was referred to LOSFA's Aspire to Inspire Mentoring Program in 2018.

Since becoming involved with LOSFA's programs, Lincoln Prep's Chief Academic Officer, Melanie Colvin, says Daylinn has completely turned her life around . She is taking more rigorous course work - Advanced Placement Human Geography and Advanced Placement World History. She is earning positive behavior points and was elected to serve as the Vice President of Communications in Lincoln Prep's Explorers' Club.

Daylinn credits her success to LOSFA, Louisiana GEAR UP, and her teachers/mentors for having faith in her abilities.
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Join Us!

LOSFA's Financial Literacy for You (F.L.Y.) Tour kicks off next week!
LOSFA Programs is excited to give middle and high school students a visual performance that reinforces the lessons we teach throughout the year - which involves the importance of pursuing an education beyond high school, while individually matching them with the best path to get there.

This year, our theme is Meet Your Match . It's an interactive game show that focuses on giving students five tools to unlock their future.
Performance dates are as follows:

NORTH
Tuesday, February 11: Southern University at Shreveport
Wednesday, February 12: Louisiana Tech University
Thursday, February 13: Northwestern State University
Friday, February 14: Grambling State University

SOUTH
Monday, February 17: SOWELA Technical Community College
Tuesday, February 18: Southern University and A &M College
Wednesday, February 19: Dillard University
Thursday, February 20: Louisiana State University
National Mentoring Month
Last month, LOSFA celebrated National Mentoring Month by highlighting our Aspire to Inspire Comprehensive Mentoring Program .

Our posts featured various mentoring statistics, as well as highlights from current A2I students. These students discussed how their mentors have helped them with career planning, creating vision boards, and formulating resolutions for 2020.

We also recruited past A2I students, who are currently enrolled in college, to discuss how A2I helped them reach their goals.
Other Related News
A College Education Pays Off: New College Board Report
College education linked to higher pay, upward mobility, improved health outcomes, and greater civic involvement
January 14, 2020

Earning a college degree, despite the increasing cost, is worth it.

That's according to the latest report, from the College Board Trends in Higher Education series.

The report discovered that even though enrollment and completion rates continue to rise, low-income and minority students have not seen as large of gains as other ethnicities.

For example, in 1998: 59 % of black graduates and 55 % of Hispanic graduates enrolled at a post-secondary institute within a year of their high school graduation. Sixty-eight % of white students enrolled in college within the first year of high school completion. In 2018, 60 % and 66 % of black and Hispanic students enrolled within a year of high school graduation, compared to 70 % of white students.

Read the complete report here .
UNO to Cover Cost of Tuition for Eligible First-Year Students
The school is offering to take on the unmet cost for freshmen from New Orleans whose families make less than $60,000
January 8, 2020

The University of New Orleans (UNO) has promised to pay a portion of tuition and fees for eligible students, beginning with the Fall 2020 semester. The Privateer Pledge will be available to help pay any remaining tuition costs, after scholarships and other aid, in order to prevent students from taking out loans.

Qualifying students must live in New Orleans, graduate from a public or private Orleans Parish school, and enroll at UNO as a freshman.
Louisiana State Panel Recommends Major Expansion of High School Classes for College Credit
January 6, 2020

Making dual enrollment classes available to more Louisiana students will be one of Governor John Bel Edwards' priorities for the upcoming legislative session. His efforts last year, to provide high school juniors and seniors with two colleges (free of charge) was put to the side.

A 12-member panel, picked by Edwards, has recommended students should have access to at least four classes for college credit, without charge.

While research has shown that students who are exposed to dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in college and continue on to complete a college degree, the challenge lies in making sure teachers are adequately trained to teach college level courses and to make sure there is a funding source to make it all possible.
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.