Information About Grants

What is a Pell Grant?

A Federal Pell Grant is a form of federal financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Students that are eligible for a Pell Grant can also receive other forms of federal student aid. The FAFSA, which is one of the requirements needed to become eligible for a Pell Grant, is also the application necessary for federal student loans.

Am I eligible for the Pell grant?

• You must be an eligible student whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is less than or equal to the figure set by the Federal Government for the academic year. See eligibility information for more about EFC.
• Your EFC is determined from the information that you provide on your FAFSA.
• You must meet all of the eligibility criteria required for receipt of federal aid including SAP.
• You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to an associate or first bachelor's degree.

NOTE: The amount of time in which a student can receive Pell grant has been reduced from 18 semesters to 12 semesters. This change in duration is not limited to students who received their first Federal Pell Grant on or after the 2008-2009 award year, as the HEA previously provided when the duration of eligibility was 18 semester. The federal government will calculate the equivalency by adding together each of the annual percentages of a student's scheduled award that was actually disbursed to the student.

 

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What is the FSEOG Grant?

FSEOG is an undergraduate award to students with exceptional financial need. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority for these awards. The FSEOG awards can range from $100 to $4,000 a year but each school can establish its own guidelines within these ranges. 

Am I eligible for the FSEOG Grant?

• You must be Pell grant eligible based on the FAFSA.
• You must meet all of the eligibility criteria required for receipt of federal aid including SAP.
• You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to an associate or first bachelor's degree. Funds are very limited.

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What is the Louisiana Go Grant?

The purpose of this program is to provide a need-based component to the state's financial aid plan to support nontraditional and low to moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college.

Am I eligible for the Go Grant?

• Be a Louisiana Resident;*
• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
• Receive a federal Pell grant;
• Have remaining financial need after deducting the student's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)and Federal/State/Institutional grant or scholarship aid ("gift aid") from the student's Cost of Attendance (COA): Due to limited funding, awards are not guaranteed to all eligible students.
• Be a student enrolled in an eligible Louisiana institution on a half-time basis (minimum 6 hours at semester school or 4 hours at a quarter school).

Award Amounts **

Award amounts to eligible students are based on the institution's allocation and their packaging policy.  Awards may vary with each academic year.  Awards will not be paid for summer sessions,quarters, or terms.

 

Renewal Requirements

• Must file a FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA at least annually;
• Continue to receive a Federal Pell Grant;
• Have remaining financial need after deducting Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and all federal/state/institutional grant or scholarship aid ("gift aid") from student's Cost of Attendance (COA).
• The Award can be renewed for subsequent years to a maximum lifetime award that correlates to that of the Federal Pell Grant.

 

*Residency: Louisiana resident as of the day the FAFSA is filed and Louisiana is the student's true and fixed domicile as reported on the FAFSA. If student's state of residence on the FAFSA is not reported as LA, but a dependent student claims that a non-custodial parent is a Louisiana resident, or that parents are Louisiana residents living out of state, LOSFA will determine residency based on the completion, by the parents, of a residency affidavit

**Students should check with the financial aid office at the school they plan to attend regarding policy on award calculation and distribution.

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What is Institutional Need Based Grant?

• Students must be a degree seeking, undergraduate students.
• Allocated funds will be split between Undergraduates by classification.
• Students must meet minimum standards of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
• Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours per term.
• Students must be a Louisiana resident.
• Priority is given to students who have a FAFSA on file by February 15th. 
• Students must be Pell Grant eligible.
• Students must demonstrate financial need based upon the COA-EFC calculation.
• Award amounts range from 500-1000. 

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2022-2023 LOSFA Completers Grant Policy and Procedures

 

 

I.          Policy Statement                                           

The Board of Regents has approved for a limited time, a new financial aid framework, the Completers Grant, which is designed to incentivize near-completers in all majors especially to those in high demand fields such as teacher education, healthcare and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) at Louisiana’s public two- and four-year institutions to earn their undergraduate degrees and to incentivize enrollment in and completion of short-term credential programs at two-year institutions.

II.         Purpose of Policy

All degree programs are eligible for funding assistance. The Completers Grant will provide grants to students who have completed at least 90 credit hours toward their declared bachelor’s degree, have completed at least 30 credit hours toward their declared associate degree, or who are completing an on-ramp credential and/or credential of value programs as identified by Louisiana Workforce Commission. The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) will administer this grant program which is being funded using one-time Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund dollars which are only available for Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 terms.

III.        Applicability

To be eligible for the Completers Grant, a student must:

• Be a Louisiana resident.
• Meet ULM Satisfactory Academic Progress policy requirements.
• Complete an online application.
• Be eligible to receive funds through CARES Act/CRRSA Act/ARP Act.
• FAFSA is no longer required but may be required if need is questionable.
• Students must take classes within their degree plan to be considered.
• Students must be enrolled through the 14^th class day at the hours awarded to maintain the amount awarded or keep the amount awarded all together. If the student drops or changes their schedule before the 14^th class day, their Completers amount will be cancelled or adjusted.

 

• And meet one of the following:
• Have completed at least 90 credit hours toward their declared bachelor’s degree program
• Have completed at least 30 credit hours toward their declared associate degree program
• Be enrolled in an on-ramp credential and/or short-term credential of value program as identified by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. For credit programs - students shall meet the enrolling institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. For non-credit programs - students shall successfully complete course(s) sufficient to continue in their program of study as determined by the institution

The ULM Office of Financial Aid will have an application process to determine eligibility. The link will be provided via email. 

Billing for a grant constitutes certification that the student meets one of the priorities set forth herein and has met the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy requirements. Postsecondary institutions should award the grant as part of the institution’s packaging process. Bills shall submitted to LOSFA on or after the 15th class day.

 

IV. Packaging Policy and Procedures                                                                                                                

Institutional Allocations

A formula developed by the Board of Regents based on the number of students projected to complete degrees and/or non-credit programs at two- and four-year institutions was used to allocate funds to each System. Systems with two-year institutions have the authority to allocate funds between credit and non-credit programs. Systems with four-year institutions may only allocate funds to credit programs. Upon distribution, System offices must provide both the Board of Regents and LOSFA with the specific allocation of funds by institution. If an allocation to an individual institution changes, system offices must notify the Board of Regents and LOSFA in advance of the reallocation.

Award Amounts

Postsecondary institutions shall determine the minimum and maximum award amounts for enrollment in on ramp and/or short-term credential, associate, or baccalaureate degree programs, as well as amounts for students who enroll on a less than full time basis. Awards shall be limited to any charges on a student’s fee bill including, but not limited to tuition, fees, and instructional materials as set forth on the student’s fee bill. Institutions shall not award the maximum amount set for the program of study if that amount would exceed the student’s cost of attendance as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The suggested minimum award amount should not be less than $100.

Award Calculations

Institutions should allocate funds with the primary goal of helping students complete the credential/degree as soon as possible. A student’s eligibility for federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans is not to be considered a resource. The Completers Grant may be provided in addition to any other state or federal aid awarded to the student, provided that the award cannot cause the student’s aid to exceed the cost outlined on the student’s fee bill. Institutions may award the Completers Grant to cover the charges paid by cash, credit or debit cards effective with this revised framework for the academic year 2022-2023. A book allowance can be allocated to students as long as the school documents such costs and maintains the information for audit purposes. Book costs should not exceed the amounts indicated in the LASFAA budget.

Our institutional minimum award amount for each term is $100 and the maximum award amount will be $4800 for the 2022-2023 academic year.

 

Packaging Policy:

 

• Award amounts:

               May not exceed the amount as indicated on the recipient’s fee bill.

• Pending availability of funds, students receiving the award who have completed at least 90 credit hours toward their declared bachelor’s degree program or who have completed at least 30 credit hours toward their declared associate degree program are eligible to receive the award in subsequent semesters until completion, provided that the student has met the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
• The institution may consider financial need and mandate that students submit the FASFA. 
• Completers Grant shall be awarded after Title IV grant aid, TOPS, Go Grant, institutional gift aid and prior to applicable WIOA. These amounts are considered in the eligibility for this grant.
• Any other honorific and/or meritorious gift aid shall not be considered against a student’s eligibility for the Completer’s Grant. The student is eligible to retain the additional resources to assist with other components of their Cost of Attendance provided that the total Cost of Attendance is not exceeded (as noted above)

 

Schools may prioritize student eligibility using the hierarchy outlined below:

• Students who have exhausted federal grant and state aid eligibility (TOPS, Go Grant, etc.).
• Students who have limited availability for federal aid and other sources of aid.
• Other eligibility criteria determined by the institution.

 

NOTE: Eligibility criteria MAY NOT:

• Use any academic criteria other than Satisfactory Academic Progress for receipt of Title IV aid; or
• Automatically eliminate students receiving other financial assistance, including TOPS.

 

Packaging Procedures

• • ULM Office of Financial Aid will create an application process.
  • Students will receive an email each semester reminding them of the criteria and how to apply.
  • Students will be required to submit a degree plan that shows the classes within their degree that they have completed vs the ones they have remaining. Students will be required to take classes within their degree plan to be considered for this grant.
  • Awarding will be student specific based upon the receipt of an application. The Office of Financial Aid would determine eligibility with documents provided by the student. If determined that they are eligible, we would award eligible students based upon the criteria listed in this policy.
  • The minimum award amount is $100 and the maximum award amount is $4800 for each eligible term.
  Note: The awards will apply to the bill and never disburse as a refund to the student. A calculation will be done to determine the amount of State and Title IV aid awarded vs the charges remaining after those have applied to the bill.

 

 

 

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2022-2023 LOSFA Geaux Teach Grant Policy and Procedures

 

I. Policy statement

Act 463 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature established the Geaux Teach Program, which provides scholarships to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs at the state’s postsecondary institutions that are approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). Funding is also available to students attending certified alternative teacher preparation programs approved by BESE. Awards will begin with the 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid offices should work with their college’s School of Education to identify eligible applicants.

 

II. Purpose of Policy 

The Geaux Teach scholarship program was established to provide scholarships to students who are enrolled in teacher preparation programs or alternate certification programs approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) at postsecondary education institutions within the state.

 

III. Applicability 

Initial eligibility requirements                                                                                                                      

• To be eligible for the Geaux Teach Program scholarship, a student must:                                              
•  Be a US citizen and if required, registered with the Selective Service; and
• Be a Louisiana resident for at least two full years prior to July 1 immediately preceding the academic year in which the student will be enrolled in a qualified program of study; and • Be enrolled full time in an approved teacher preparation program at an approved institution or be enrolled in an approved, alternative certified teacher education program through the census date; and
• Have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA.
• Be enrolled through the 14th class day.
• Have a remaining, outstanding balance at the time of awarding. For students on a payment plan, an award can be placed on the account in lieu of the remaining payment plan amount (outstanding balance).
• A student cannot receive a refund for the Geaux Teach Grant.

 

Continuing eligibility requirements

 To maintain eligibility to receive a Geaux Teach Program scholarship, a student must:

• Be a US citizen and if required, registered with the Selective Service; and
• Be a Louisiana resident for at least two full years prior to July 1 immediately preceding the academic year in which the student will be enrolled in a qualified program of study; and • Be enrolled full time in an approved teacher preparation program at an approved institution or be enrolled in an approved, alternative certified teacher education program through the census date; and
• Maintain a minimum cumulative college GPA of at least 2.50.
• Have a remaining, outstanding balance at the time of awarding. For students on a payment plan, an award can be placed on the account in lieu of the payment plan amount (outstanding balance) or out of pocket expense.
• A student cannot receive a refund for the Geaux Teach Grant.
• Have received the award for not more than four academic years.

 

IV. Packaging Policy

 

Packaging Policy:

Eligible institutions/providers must establish and use a policy on Geaux Teach Program packaging that provides:

• A procedure for compliance with program rules
• Record retention
• Basis used to establish any award amount that is less than the maximum award amount allowed Payment Requests: A payment request file format will be provided that will include the following elements:
• Student’s name
• Social Security number
• College code/provider name
• Term
• Date
• Hours attempted
• Award amount requested for each student
• CIP code for the program of study
• Increment key at the end of each semester, term or quarter, the institution/provider shall report the following student data to LOSFA:
• Semester hours attempted and semester hours earned
• Semester quality points earned
• Resignation from the institution/provider or withdrawal from all courses
• Completion of a program of study Institution/Provider Certification: No institution/provider shall submit a payment request for Geaux Teach funds which would result in a student receiving an annual total of more than the authorized amount of $5,000.00.
• The award can be used for the summer if the student has remaining funds available (under the maximum $5,000.00 annual award amount).

Packaging Policy:

• Award amounts:
• May not exceed the amount of the tuition, fees, and books which are evidenced on the recipient’s fee bill. No institution/provider shall submit a payment request for Geaux Teach funds which would result in a student receiving an annual total of more than the authorized amount of $5,000.00. Award amounts should be reduced to prevent over awards.

Eligibility and Packaging Procedures

• Students should be directed to the college/school of education to apply for the program using the required LOSFA application form in the following link.
• https://mylosfa.la.gov/wp-content/uploads/Geaux-Teach-Application.pdf
• The college/school of education will submit the list of selected recipients to the financial aid office after determining they meet the eligibility criteria in the eligibility section of this policy.
• The financial aid office will determine the award amount based upon the student’s financial aid eligibility for the program.
• Alternate certification programs will use the same application form.
• After the financial aid office determines the award amount based on the student’s financial aid eligibility for the program, the financial aid office will submit a payment request to LOSFA on the Award System.
• Alternate certification providers will submit a direct payment request to LOSFA on the award system.