Overview of Louisiana Scholarships & Grants

Louisiana offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs for both in-state and out-of-state students. This guide covers automatic merit scholarships from major universities, full-ride opportunities, statewide grants, and private-school awards. Whether you’re a high school senior, current college student, or parent planning ahead, you’ll find reliable information to help make higher education in Louisiana more affordable.

TOPS is the flagship merit program; also review Go Grants for need-based aid.

How to Get a Grant for College in Louisiana

Louisiana residents can access several state and federal grants to help pay for college. To secure a grant, students should follow these steps:

Complete the FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible. Most Louisiana grants, including the Go Grant and TOPS, require it for eligibility.
Apply for State-Specific Programs: Explore financial aid opportunities like the Louisiana Go Grant and the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
Check Institutional Grants: Many Louisiana colleges and universities provide additional need- or merit-based funding to supplement state and federal aid.

Completing the FAFSA annually and applying early ensures maximum consideration for available funding.

What Is the Louisiana Go Grant?

The Louisiana Go Grant provides need-based financial assistance to help Pell Grant recipients bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and other forms of aid. To qualify, students must:

Be a Louisiana resident.
Receive a federal Pell Grant.
Enroll at least half-time in an undergraduate program at an eligible Louisiana institution.
Demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA data.

Award amounts range from $300 to $3,000 per academic year, depending on the student’s financial circumstances and available state funding. The Go Grant supports both traditional and adult learners pursuing higher education in Louisiana.

What Is the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)?

The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is Louisiana’s signature merit-based scholarship program that covers tuition costs at public colleges and universities in the state. To be eligible, students must:

Be a Louisiana resident and U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Graduate from an accredited Louisiana high school.
Complete the required TOPS Core Curriculum.
Achieve a minimum 2.5 GPA and meet ACT score requirements (varies by award level).
Enroll full-time at an eligible Louisiana institution within one year of high school graduation.

TOPS offers several award tiers—including Opportunity, Performance, and Honors Awards—with higher academic performance qualifying students for larger awards. Private college recipients receive equivalent amounts toward tuition costs at their institutions.

Does Louisiana Offer Full-Ride Scholarships?

Yes. Louisiana offers multiple full-ride scholarships for exceptional students. The most notable include:

TOPS Honors Award: Provides full tuition coverage at public universities plus an annual stipend for books and fees.
Stamps Scholarship (Louisiana State University): A prestigious, full-ride award covering tuition, fees, housing, and enrichment funds for leadership, research, or study abroad.

Full-ride scholarships are highly competitive, requiring outstanding academic records, strong test scores, leadership experience, and community involvement.

Scholarships in Louisiana for High School Seniors

Louisiana high school seniors can apply for several statewide and local scholarships. Popular programs include:

TOPS: Tuition assistance for Louisiana residents attending in-state colleges and universities.
Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Scholarship: Merit-based awards for students pursuing degrees in STEM or education fields.
Local Community and Parish Scholarships: Many parishes and civic groups provide scholarships for graduating seniors based on academics, service, or financial need.

Students should also check with their school counselors and local organizations for region-specific opportunities that may not be listed on statewide databases.

Scholarships in Louisiana for Adults

Adult learners returning to school in Louisiana have several grant and scholarship options. Programs include:

Reboot Your Education Grant: Financial assistance for adults returning to college to complete unfinished degrees or certifications.
Louisiana Workforce Training Grants: Grants that fund short-term technical or vocational training in high-demand industries such as healthcare, construction, and information technology.

These programs are part of Louisiana’s effort to increase the number of skilled workers and provide educational opportunities for residents at every stage of life.

Louisiana State University (LSU) Scholarships

Louisiana State University (LSU) offers numerous scholarship opportunities for high-achieving and need-based students. Prominent awards include:

President’s Alumni Scholars Award: A full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, and housing for students with exceptional academic and leadership credentials.
LSU Flagship Scholars Award: Merit-based aid for students demonstrating strong academic achievement and extracurricular excellence.
Need-Based Aid: LSU also provides institutional grants based on FAFSA-determined financial need.

Many scholarships are automatically awarded based on GPA and test scores, while others require separate applications through the LSU Financial Aid Office.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) Scholarships

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) offers a variety of scholarships for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and continuing students. Notable programs include:

Cox Communications Academic Scholarship: For high-achieving Louisiana students demonstrating academic merit and community involvement.
ULL Freshman Scholarships: Automatic merit awards for students entering directly from high school with strong GPAs and test scores.
Transfer Scholarships: Financial aid for students transferring from community colleges or other institutions within Louisiana.

Students can explore available awards and requirements through ULL’s Office of Scholarships.

What Is the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship?

The Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship supports Louisiana residents pursuing degrees in fields related to wildlife, forestry, or marine sciences. To qualify, applicants must:

Be a Louisiana resident and U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
Enroll full-time in a wildlife, forestry, or marine science program at an accredited Louisiana college or university.
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

The scholarship provides up to $2,000 per year for undergraduate students and up to $3,000 per year for graduate students. Recipients may renew the award for up to four consecutive years if they maintain eligibility.

Grants for College in Louisiana

Louisiana students can take advantage of several grant programs that help make higher education more accessible. These include:

Louisiana Go Grant: Need-based assistance for Pell-eligible students attending Louisiana colleges or universities.
Federal Pell Grant: A federal grant for students demonstrating exceptional financial need.
Louisiana Adult Learners Grant: Financial aid for adult students completing their first degree or vocational training program.

Grants do not require repayment and can be combined with scholarships and federal aid to cover tuition and related expenses.

How to Apply for Louisiana Scholarships and Grants

To apply for Louisiana scholarships and grants, students should:

Submit the FAFSA: The FAFSA is required for most aid programs, including Go Grant and TOPS.
Research State Opportunities: Explore programs administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), such as TOPS, the Rockefeller Scholarship, and the Adult Learners Grant.
Contact Your College’s Financial Aid Office: Institutions often have additional scholarships and emergency grants for eligible students.

Early application is strongly recommended, as many programs have limited funding and fixed deadlines.

Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025 Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.