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The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) was created by Congress in
the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) and
enacted on February 8, 2007. The ACG is awarded to eligible
undergraduates during their first two years of a degree program.
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Gift aid, not to be repaid, must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
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Available to full-time students, who are US citizens in their first
or second year in a two or four year degree program.
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Students must meet other criteria requirements.
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First year award is $750; Second year award is $1,300.
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National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
(SMART)
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The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
(SMART) was created by Congress in the Higher Education
Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) and enacted on February 8,
2007. The National SMART is awarded to eligible undergraduates
during their third and fourth years of a degree program.
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Gift aid, not to be repaid, must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
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Available to full-time students, who are US citizens with a 3.0 GPA
in an eligible program. Students must meet other criteria requirements.
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Award amount is $4,000 per year for each of the student's third and
fourth academic year of undergraduate study.
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
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Gift aid, not to be repaid, based on exceptional financial need as
determined by the FAFSA.
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Awards range from $200-$1,000 per year.
Awarded for fall and spring.
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Limited funding.
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Available only to undergraduates.
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Federal Work Study
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On-campus jobs (some community service jobs may be off campus)
based on financial need.
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Students may earn $500-$2,400 per year to assist with your
educational expenses.
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Awarded summer, fall, and spring.
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Limited funding.
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Students are paid bi-weekly for hours actually worked.
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Variety of jobs available including Community Service, Data Entry,
Secretarial Assistant, Reading Tutor, Research Assistant,
Receptionist, Audio-Visual Technician, Laboratory Technician,
Computer Lab Assistant, and Library Assistant.
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Available only to undergraduates at LSU.
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Federal Perkins Loan
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Fixed 5% interest rate loan based on financial need. Perkins loans
accrue no interest while the borrower is enrolled on at least a
half-time basis.
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Considered campus based aid meaning LSU is the lender of the
Perkins funds and loan repayment is made to LSU. First-time
Perkins loan borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note
before receiving loan proceeds.
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Must be repaid in full; repayment begins 9 months after graduation
or last date of half-time enrollment; terms may differ for
students with a prior balance.
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Annual awards range from $200-$4,000 for undergraduates and
$200-$6,000 for graduate/professional school students.
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Limited funding.
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Deferment and cancellation privileges exist.
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Awarded fall and spring only.
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Aggregate limits are $20,000 for undergraduates and $40,000 for
graduates.
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Visit the LSU Perkins
Loan Office website
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Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
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Low-interest loans made by private lenders (banks, credit unions,
etc.) selected by the student.
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Subsidized do not accrue interest while the borrower is enrolled on
at least a half-time basis and are based on financial need.
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Unsubsidized loans accrue interest while the borrower is enrolled.
The borrower may choose to repay the interest as it accrues
while enrolled, or defer the interest to be repaid with the
principal balance. Unsubsidized loans are not based on
financial need.
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A 6.8% fixed interest rate applies to Stafford loans disbursed
after July 1, 2007. A variable interest rate not to exceed 8.25%
applies to loans disbursed prior to this date.
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First-time borrowers must complete a Master Promissory Note and an
Entrance Counseling session
before receiving loan proceeds.
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Fees may be charged by the lender or guarantor. View the
Lender Partner List
for information on fees.
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Shortly before graduation or upon cessation of enrollment on at
least a half-time basis, borrowers must complete an
Exit Counseling session.
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Awarded summer, fall, and/or spring.
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Maximum annual loan amounts are based on classification.
Base Annual Limits (combined subsidized and unsubsidized amounts)
effective July 1, 2008:
- Sophomore (30-59 earned hours):
- $4,500
Junior/Senior (60 or more earned hours):
- $5,500
Graduate/Professional: $8,500
Additional Unsubsidized
Annual Limits for Independent Undergraduate Students and
Dependent Undergraduate Students whose parents are denied for a
PLUS
Loan, and Graduate/Professional Students:
- Freshman/Sophomore (0-59 earned hours): $4,000
- Junior/Senior (60 or more earned hours): $5,000
- Graduate/Professional: $12,000
Maximum aggregate loan amounts are as follows:
- Subsidized Aggregate Limits:
Dependent Undergraduate: $23,000
- Independent Undergraduate, Dependent Undergraduate whose parent is
denied for a PLUS Loan: $23,000
- Graduate/Professional (includes undergraduate loans):
$65,500
Combined Subsidized and
Unsubsidized Aggregate Limits:
- Dependent Undergraduate: $23,000
- Independent Undergraduate, Dependent Undergraduate whose
parent is denied for a PLUS loan: $46,000
- Graduate or Law Student (includes undergraduate loans): $138,500
- Veterinary Student (includes undergraduate loans): $189,125
- Repayment begins six
months after the borrower graduates, or ceases to be enrolled on
at least a half-time basis.
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Parent PLUS Loan
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Low-interest loan made to parents of undergraduate dependent
students by private lenders. An 8.5% fixed interest rate
applies to all loans disbursed after July 1, 2007. A variable
rate not to exceed 9% applies to all loans disbursed before July
1, 2007.
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Available to creditworthy parents regardless of financial need. A
credit check will be performed by the selected lender.
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Amount borrowed may be up to the cost of education as determined by
the school, less any other financial aid and resources.
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Awarded summer, fall, and/or spring.
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Loan origination fees are charged by the lender.
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Repayment begins 60 days after loan is disbursed.
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Students whose parents’ credit is denied for a PLUS loan may be
eligible for additional unsubsidized Stafford loans
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Click here to view a
list of LSU’s PLUS lender partners.
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Graduate PLUS Loan
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Low-interest federal loan alternative to private loans for Graduate
or Professional students. A fixed interest rate of 8.5% applies
to the Graduate PLUS loan.
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Available to creditworthy students regardless of financial need. A
credit check will be performed by the selected lender.
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Amount borrowed may be up to the cost of education as determined by
the school, less any other financial aid and resources.
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Awarded summer, fall, and/or spring.
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Repayment is automatically deferred.
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Click here to view a
list of LSU’s Graduate PLUS lender partners.
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP)
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State-funded grant awarded to undergraduate Louisiana residents
demonstrating financial need and meeting certain academic
criteria.
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Awarded fall and spring semesters.
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Limited funded.
Louisiana GO Grant
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Louisiana resident as defined by the Louisiana Office of Student
Financial Assistance.
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Students must be admitted and enrolled as a certificate or
degree-seeking undergraduate student at a Louisiana public or
private college or university: (1) as a first time freshman or
(2) aged 25 or older and not having enrolled in a college or
university in credit bearing courses for at least three years.
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Demonstration of financial need based on information reported on
the FAFSA
Alternative Loan
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Last resort for students needing funds in addition to federal aid
to meet educational expenses.
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Loans are credit based and terms vary based on the lender. Many
students will be required to use a co-borrower.
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Higher interest rates than federal student loans and interest
accrues while borrower is enrolled.
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Amount borrowed may be up to the cost of education as determined by
the school, less any other financial aid and resources.
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Loans require school certification. Borrower must meet eligibility
criteria as determined by school.
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Click here to view
alternative loan lenders.
Emergency Loan
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Small loan available to students who meet certain requirements
and are awaiting federal aid funds.
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Typically used for books/supplies.
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Available for the first two weeks of each summer, fall, and
spring semester.
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Repayment in full plus a 2% fee is due 60 days after
disbursement of funds.
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Maximum loan amount is $300 for undergraduates and $500 for
graduate/professional.
