Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal student aid gift assistance program available to undergraduate students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students enrolled less than half-time may be considered for a Pell Grant. 

This grant is awarded to students with the highest level of financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. There is no set income for the determination of Pell Grant eligibility. The federal government takes all information provided on the FAFSA to determine a student’s Pell Grant eligibility. Pell eligibility can change from year to year.

Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU)

Federal law reduces the duration of Federal Pell Grant eligibility to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This applies to all Federal Pell Grant-eligible students.

The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 150% for year-round enrollment. The 12-semester or six-year equivalent is 600%.

The purpose of the Louisiana Go Grant program is to provide need-based funds to support nontraditional and low- to moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college. This grant is considered a financial resource and must be counted as such. The award will likely reduce some of your federal funds, but it will not affect your Pell Grant award.

Award Amounts

Louisiana Go Grant awards for eligible students are based on the institution's allocation and packaging policy. Awards may vary with each academic year and will not be paid for summer sessions. 

Maximum and minimum annual award amounts for the the current Academic Year:

• Minimum Annual Award: $300
• Maximum Annual Award: $3,000

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Louisiana Go Grant, you must:

• Be a Louisiana Resident
• Be an enrolled student on at least a half-time basis (minimum 6 hours semester hours)
• File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Receive a Federal Pell Grant

Residency Rule

You must be a Louisiana resident as of the day the FAFSA is filed, where Louisiana is your true and fixed domicile. If your state of residence on the FAFSA is not reported as Louisiana but you, as a dependent student, claim that a non-custodial parent is a Louisiana resident, or that your parents are Louisiana residents living out of state, LOSFA will determine residency based on the completion, by your parents, of a residency affidavit.

Renewal

The Award can be renewed for subsequent years to a maximum lifetime award that correlates to that of the Federal Pell Grant. You must meet the following requirements:

• Must file a FAFSA or the Renewal FAFSA at least annually
• Continue to receive a Federal Pell Grant
• Continued eligibility is not guaranteed 

Monitoring Your Status

Your status regarding LOSFA programs can be monitored on the Louisiana Award System.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) awards are based on the availability of funds and average approximately $3,000 per academic year. You must be an undergraduate enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) and be Pell Grant eligible.

A student may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) if they are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of their Student Aid Index (SAI) but:

• they meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements;
• their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11; and
• they were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of their parent’s or guardian’s death.

Learn more about the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.