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  1. Admissions & Aid
  2. Costs & Financial Aid
  3. Types of Aid

Types of Aid

Financial aid can take many different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, and more.

We’re here to help you figure out what you qualify for and the best combination of aid for your situation.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette student in a Ragin' Cajuns sweatshirt working on a laptop outside

Remember: To be considered for financial aid from the state or federal government, you have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not everyone qualifies for financial aid, but you can’t know for sure unless you fill out the FAFSA.

After you fill out the FAFSA, you’ll receive a financial aid package that outlines what you qualify for.

How to file the FAFSA

Grants

Grants are considered “gift aid,” which means they’re basically free money and you don’t have to pay them back. Not everyone qualifies for grants because they're based on your need. 

Learn how financial need is calculated.

To keep your grants every year, you will have to fill out the FAFSA every year and maintain certain academic requirements (like your GPA).

Types of Grants

What's a Pell Grant?

Pell Grants are a need-based grant program for students who qualify. The amount of money you can receive depends on your financial need.

Who provides it?

The U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for a Pell Grant?

You must be a degree-seeking, first-time college student in good academic standing and fill out the FAFSA every year.

How do I apply?

Fill out the FAFSA.

What's a FSEOG?

FSEOG is a need-based grant program for students who need a little extra help. Grants are typically around $2,600 for each year.

Who provides it?

The U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for a FSEOG?

You must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours (typically 2 classes) and also be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant award.

How do I apply?

Fill out the FAFSA.

What is ISAG?

ISAG is a special grant program for students whose parents died in military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11.

Who provides it?

The U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for ISAG?

You must meet all Pell Grant eligibility requirements except for the Expected Family Contribution, you lost a parent in military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and you were younger than 24 when it happened.

How do I apply?

Fill out the FAFSA.

What is the Louisiana Go Grant?

The Go Grant program is for Louisiana citizens who need a little extra help to afford college.

Who provides it?

Louisiana Department of Education

What are the requirements for a Louisiana Go Grant?

You must be a Louisiana resident who is also eligible for Pell grants. 

How do I apply?

Fill out the FAFSA.

Scholarships

Scholarships are another form of “gift aid,” which means they’re free money and you don’t have to pay it back. They’re different from grants because they’re based entirely on merit or talent, not need. 

Scholarships can come from multiple organizations and there is no limit to how many scholarships you can use to pay for school. 

Keep in mind: There may be requirements to keep your scholarships.

Types of Scholarships

What are academic scholarships?

Academic scholarships are for students who meet certain GPA and ACT/SAT test score requirements. Each scholarship is for eight semesters and may include tuition assistance, tuition waivers, and housing assistance.

Who provides academic scholarships?

UL Lafayette Office of Scholarships, thanks to generous alumni and donors

What are the requirements for academic scholarships?

You have to be a first-time freshman or transfer student at UL Lafayette. You must meet all admissions requirements and some academic requirements. You must also maintain a minimum GPA and enroll in a certain number of classes each semester. 

Learn more about types of academic scholarships

How do I apply?

Your admissions application counts as your scholarship application. There is not a separate scholarship application for academic scholarships.

What are athletic scholarships?

Some student-athletes qualify for scholarships that help pay for school.

Who provides athletic scholarships?

Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics 

What are the requirements for athletic scholarships?

You must play an NCAA sport at UL Lafayette and maintain a minimum GPA. 

How do I apply for an athletic scholarship?

Student-athletes are recruited to play at UL Lafayette. Contact Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics for more information.

What are marching band and color guard scholarships?

Marching band and color guard scholarships are available for students who participate in the Pride of Acadiana Marching Band each fall and an ensemble in the spring.

These scholarships start at $600 for one semester, and you can also receive a meal or housing scholarship to go towards the cost of on-campus living.

Learn more about Pride of Acadiana scholarships.

Who provides these scholarships?

The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band

What are the requirements for marching band and color guard scholarships?

To join the Pride of Acadiana, you must commit to joining and performing with the Pride of Acadiana throughout the football season.

If you receive a housing scholarship for your participation, you will also be required to participate in a spring ensemble, such as the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, or Ragin' Brass basketball band.

How do I apply for these scholarships?

You must audition for the Pride of Acadiana, and your audition paperwork acts as your scholarship application.

What is a TOPS scholarship?

TOPS is Louisiana’s scholarship program for high-performing Louisiana students. There are three levels to TOPS: Opportunity, Honors, and Performance. 

Who provides TOPS scholarships?

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance

What are the requirements for TOPS?

Requirements vary for each level of TOPS. Learn more.

How do I apply for TOPS?

Fill out the FAFSA.

What are private scholarships?

Scholarships from individuals or organizations are considered private scholarships and are not provided by the University.

Who provides private scholarships?

Non-University organizations, companies, or individuals

What are the requirements?

Requirements vary. You'll need to check the requirements with the group that’s providing the scholarships.

How do I apply for private scholarships?

Search for scholarships and apply to the ones that fit your needs or situation. Look for local opportunities from foundations, businesses, and professional clubs and organizations. 

What are military or community service scholarships?

Scholarships are available in exchange for military service or through national service organizations.

Who provides these scholarships?

Organizations in U.S. federal government

What are the requirements for military or community service scholarships?

Be a member of the U.S. military, join ROTC or AmeriCorps on campus, or pursue other national service opportunities. 

How do I apply for these scholarships?

Apply through the service organizations.

What are departmental or office scholarships?

Some departments, colleges, offices, and organizations on campus offer scholarships for upperclassmen and continuing students.

Who provides these scholarships?

University offices across campus

What are the requirements for departmental or office scholarships?

The requirements for individual scholarships vary, but are most often based on academic performance and campus involvement.

How do I apply for these scholarships?

Contact your college or department about academic scholarships. Contact individual organizations or offices about other scholarships.

Loans

Loans are borrowed money that you have to pay back after you graduate.

If you’re offered a loan as part of your financial aid package, you don’t have to accept it. But loans can be a valuable resource because they let you pay for your educational costs over multiple years. 

How student loans work

When you receive a loan, you agree to pay back the amount you borrowed plus interest. Interest is basically the fee you’re charged for borrowing the money. 

The loan money is deposited into your student account at UL Lafayette at the beginning of the semester. Once you receive that money, you are responsible for repaying back the original loan amount plus the interest that the loan accumulates. 

Depending on the type of loan you receive, you may be responsible for paying the interest that the loan accumulates while you’re enrolled at UL Lafayette. 

More about loans

Types of Loans

What is a direct subsidized loan?

A loan from the federal government to help cover your school costs.

It’s called a “subsidized” loan because the government pays for the interest that accumulates while you’re in school. You won’t have to pay for the interest that accumulates before you graduate, but you will have to pay the interest that accumulates after that date.

You don’t have to start paying back your loan until after you graduate.

Note that there are limits on how much you can borrow.

Who provides direct subsidized loans?

U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for direct subsidized loans?

You must have financial need, which is based on the information you provide in the FAFSA. It’s available to undergrad students only.

How do I apply for direct subsidized loans?

Fill out the FAFSA. A loan offer will be included in your financial aid package.

What is a direct unsubsidized loan?

It's a loan from the federal government to help cover your school costs.

It’s called an “unsubsidized” loan because the government does not pay for the interest that accumulates while you’re in school. You have to pay for the interest that accumulates while you earn your degree and after you graduate.

You don’t have to start paying back your loan until after you graduate.

Note that there are limits on how much you can borrow.

Who provides direct unsubsidized loans?

U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for direct unsubsidized loans?

You can be an undergrad or graduate student, and there are no financial need requirements.

How do I apply for direct unsubsidized loans?

Fill out the FAFSA. A loan offer will be included in your financial aid package.

What is a Parent PLUS Loan?

PLUS loans are available for students’ parents and can be used to cover the cost of school. You don’t have to start paying back your loan until after you graduate.

Who provides Parent PLUS Loans?

U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for Parent PLUS Loans?

You must be the biological or adoptive parent of an undergraduate student.

How do I apply for a Parent PLUS Loan?

Parents must fill out the Direct PLUS loan application.

What is a PLUS Loan for Graduate/Professional Students?

PLUS loans are available for graduate students and can be used to cover the cost of school. You don’t have to start paying back your loan until after you graduate.

Who provides PLUS Loans?

U.S. Department of Education

What are the requirements for PLUS Loans?

You must be a graduate student.

How do I apply for a PLUS Loan?

Fill out the Direct PLUS loan application. 

What are private loans?

Private loans can be used to cover the cost of school, but they don’t come with the benefits that federal loans do. Many private loans require that you make payments while you’re still in school.

Who provides private loans?

Private banks

What are the requirements for private loans?

Private loans often require an established credit record or a co-signer, like a parent. 

How do I get a private loan?

Contact your bank or search for private lenders.

On-Campus Jobs

Many students take jobs on campus to help pay for school.

Types of Jobs

What is a work-study job?

A work-study job is a part-time, on-campus job. Responsibilities can range from paperwork and administrative duties to community service and more active work.

Work-study jobs are part of your financial aid package and are reserved for students who have financial need.

Who provides work-study jobs?

Federal Work-Study Program

What are the requirements to get a work-study job?

You must have financial need, which is based on the information you provide in the FAFSA. You also must be available to work during the week.

How do I apply for a work-study job?

Fill out the FAFSA. Fill out the FAFSA. The UL Lafayette Office of Student Financial Aid will help match you with a work-study job on campus

What are student worker jobs?

Student jobs are part-time, on-campus jobs. Campus jobs are open to any student on campus, but you are responsible for finding and applying for any job you’re interested in.

Some of the departments that regularly offer student jobs include Housing, the post office, Rec Sports, and the Student Union.

Who provides student worker jobs?

UL Lafayette offices and departments

What are the requirements for student worker jobs?

Requirements vary by job opening. 

How do I apply for a student worker job?

Explore the Office of Career Services’ job listings. Ask departments and offices around campuses if they have openings. 

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