Office of the Chancellor

External Affairs

Non-Session Updates

Need-based Aid
The Louisiana Legislature approved a need-based aid program, called Go Grants. The cost for the first year is $15 million with an expected increase to $41 million. Using a calculation developed by the Board of Regents, eligible students who are full-time would receive $2,000/year, while part-time students can receive $1,000/year. This calculation is different than the US Dept. of Education's method of Cost of Attendance (tuition, room, board, transportation, books, etc) minus the Estimated Family Contribution.

Louisiana students will be further aided by a proposed increase in the federal Pell Grant program. The maximum award as $4,050 and was increased this year. On July 11, 2007, the US House passed a measure to push the Pell up to $5,400. President Bush also called for an increase, but at the expense of other need-based programs, such as the supplemental education opportunity grant (SEOG).

The debate centers around access to higher education and the perceived growth in loan debt. The federal government has traditionally been the provider for poorer students, while states concentrated on scholarships. Recently, several states have added need programs to supplement the federal and university aid. Last year, LSU students received more than $8 million in need-based grant aid (don't have to pay back).

Within higher education circles, it is understood that wealthy students may also leave with large debt loads because it offers cash with lower interest rates. It has been difficult to decipher on a national and state scale how much loan debt is accrued because of a student's need to cover costs.