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Top Louisiana Scholarships
In addition to being known as the “Jazz Capital of the World,” Louisiana is famous for being a melting pot of cultures. If you are lucky enough to attend college in this vibrant state, there are a number of Louisiana scholarships to help you fund your educational journey. Keep reading to learn more about scholarship opportunities in the Creole State!
Jump ahead to:
- Louisiana student loan debt snapshot
- Top Louisiana scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Louisiana colleges and universities
- Additional Louisiana resources
- Frequently asked questions
Louisiana college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Louisiana residents owe $22.5 billion in federal student loan debt, with 651,700 student borrowers owing $34,525 on average (those numbers do not include private loans). Over 52% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take less loans. Make sure that you apply to as many as you qualify for. Keep on reading to learn more about top Louisiana scholarships, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Louisiana!
Top Louisiana scholarships
Stephen W. Cavanaugh Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be studying an insurance-related field as a full-time student at an accredited university, college, or community college in Louisiana
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: July 20 annually
LSU Stamps Scholarship
- Eligibility: Stamps Scholars are chosen from students admitted to the LSU Honors College
- Amount: Approx. $33,000 per year
- Deadline: Mid December
Patrick F. Taylor Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: Residents of Louisiana enrolling as full-time first-time freshmen by the first semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation. Must have a 2.5+ GPA. Must have a 19+ ACT score
- Amount: $500 – $2,500
- Deadline: Fall semester July 7; Spring semester January 11
Twiley, Marie, and Bringer Barker Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating seniors from East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St, Helena, St, Tammany, Tangipahoa, Washington, or West Feliciana and accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college or university. Must have a 2.7+ GPA
- Amount: $1,000 – $2,000
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Ark-La-Tex Agricultural Council Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Louisiana resident high school seniors with a 3.0+ GPA studying agriculture, home economics, or life sciences at a Louisiana college or university. Must be an active member of a Louisiana 4-H Club or FFA Chapter
- Amount: $1,000 per year
- Deadline: Near or on April 18 annually
Brent P. Poor Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be the child of a widow/widower who has never remarried. Must be enrolling as a full-time college student in Louisiana or Texas
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: May 25 annually
Karen E. Domingue-Maillet and Solvay/Eco Services Scholarship
- Eligibility: Be in the upper 50% of the senior class in one of the following East Baton Rouge Parish high schools: Baker, Glen Oaks, Istrouma, Mentorship STEAM Academy, Scotlandville, or Southern Lab. Demonstrate financial need
- Amount: Up to $6,000
- Deadline: May 25 annually
Madere-Jones Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be graduating from a high school in Livingston Parish, Louisiana and enrolling full-time at an accredited college or university
- Amount: Up to $12,000
- Deadline: May 31
Cheryl D.Conkling Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must live or attend school in either Windsor, Colorado; Conroe, Texas; Wilkinson County, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; or West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Preference may be given to students with hearing or other physical impairments, students not receiving other substantial aid, and/or students in Louisiana
- Amount: $12,000
- Deadline: During the first week of June annually
Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Program
- Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14 and 26 who have been in the foster care system (see website for details) and enrolled in postsecondary education
- Amount: $5,000
- Deadline: By the FAFSA deadline
GO Grant
- Eligibility: Louisiana residents who receive federal Pell Grants and are enrolled at least half-time at a Louisiana higher education institution. Must have remaining financial need after deducting Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and all federal/state/institutional grants and/or scholarships
- Amount: $300 – $3,000
- Deadline: Varies based on school
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
- Eligibility: Louisiana residents enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a Louisiana public college or university majoring in forestry, wildlife, or marine science. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: Up to $12,000
- Deadline: July 1 annually
Merit scholarships at Louisiana colleges and universities
Tulane University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Tulane University. Decision made based on the strength of your admission application
- Amount: up to $32,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Tulane University
Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen, transfer students, Louisiana residents, and out-of-state residents to LSU – Baton Rouge. Decision made based on admission application
- Amount: $500 – full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to LSU – Baton Rouge
Loyola University New Orleans
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Loyola University New Orleans. Have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $14,000 – $23,000
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Loyola University New Orleans
Xavier University of Louisiana
- Eligibility: Decision made based on admission application. Visit website for eligibility requirements for specific scholarships
- Amount: Up to full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Xavier University of Louisiana
Centenary College
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Centenary College. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have 1100+ SAT score. Have a 22+ ACT score
- Amount: $15,000 – $25,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to Centenary College
Louisiana Tech University
- Eligibility: Incoming first-year students to Louisiana Tech University. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have a 20+ ACT score/1030+ SAT score
- Amount: $1,000 – $9,500
- Deadline: January 15
Additional Louisiana resources
Community Foundation of North Louisiana
The Foundation oversees more than $150 million in assets, including the distribution of many scholarships, for the benefit of North Louisiana.
TOPS Program
The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana students who attend Louisiana public colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, Louisiana-approved proprietary and cosmetology schools, and institutions that belong to the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) is a Program of the Louisiana Board of Regents and administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs. Visit this website for scholarships and college resources!
FAFSA Guide
On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens. In Louisiana, students should apply as soon as possible. The deadline is July 1st of each year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Louisiana offer free college?
There is not a Louisiana state-sponsored scholarship that awards free college. However, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has several scholarship and grant programs. LOSFA has awarded over $4 billion since its inception!
