The South can be a great hotspot for public colleges, which means it’s also a good place to receive aid for school. Louisiana, in particular, has several different school options that you should take advantage of to get the best aid possible if you’re interested in staying in-state. Be sure to utilize your academic record and ACT/SAT scores and apply for Louisiana grants!
Most affordable in-state colleges
University of New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the main attractions for Louisiana, so it’s important to consider some of the schools that are located there. Namely, the University of New Orleans as it’s been in the lead for the sixth year in a row for least debt amongst their graduates.
While in-state tuition is around $9,500 per semester, the University of New Orleans offers scholarships for as much as a four-year value of $75,000! However, this is not your only route available, so try looking into more Louisiana scholarships.
University of Louisiana at Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a pay-per-credit-hour institution, which means your tuition can fluctuate depending on the number of classes you take. As of Spring 2024, an in-state student taking 12 credit hours could pay as little as $4,600 for a semester, not including financial aid or scholarships. ULM also provides academic scholarships for students with high ACT scores, and if you have 30-36 you’ll be awarded a laptop and possibly a study abroad stipend!
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
While most know LSU for its athletics, it’s also a great affordable option for in- and out-of-state students. They even award about $1 billion in financial aid and scholarships each year, and almost 100% of students receive some form of aid. Awards can range anywhere from $500 to a full ride, depending on your need and/or merit.
Best merit aid
University of Holy Cross
New students coming into University of Holy Cross should be excited for merit scholarship opportunities! Automatically, incoming students are considered for all academic scholarships except for the UHC General Scholarship, which has a separate application. To get the most aid possible, aim for a 3.75 GPA or above and a minimum ACT score of 23.
In addition, all merit scholarships that you receive can be used for all four years. There’s also a campus housing scholarship worth $1,500 for all students new to living on campus!
See also: What GPA Do You Need to Get a Full Scholarship?
Best in-state grants
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students
The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) offers Louisiana residents merit-based scholarships to public, in-state colleges and universities. This includes technical colleges as well as cosmetology schools and institutions. There are four different TOPS awards: Opportunity Award, Performance Award, Honors Award, and Tech Award.
You can apply for TOPS through the online application or through your FAFSA application. Your award will then be decided based on your ACT/SAT composite score and high school GPA.
Louisiana Go Grant
In contrast to TOPS, the Louisiana Go Grant is a need-based opportunity for Louisiana residents enrolled at an eligible institution on at least a half-time basis. The grant ranges from $300-3,000 and is most often used as a supplement to any other aid you might’ve received. Be aware that this grant doesn’t cover any summer classes or sessions.
