FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is a federal aid program designed to provide financial assistance to students attending post high school educational institutions.  Pell Grants are intended to be the floor of a financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid in order to meet the full costs of education.  The amount of the Students Pell Grant is determined on the basis of his/her financial resources.  It is a grant, not a loan. Attendance and satisfactory progress of the student are monitored to assure the student meets the obligations to maintain the grant award.  A number of other financial aid programs require recipients to apply for a Pell Grant.  Applications can be obtained from the Student Affairs Office on the campus.  Checks are issued for the fall and spring semesters.  If the student has not been allocated all funds during these two semesters, the remainder of the funds will be issued for the summer session.

Contact the Financial Aid Officer/Clerk at each individual campus to determine which of the following financial assistance programs are available.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

This grant which was signed into law on February 8, 2006, encourages students to take more challenging courses in high school and to pursue college majors in high demand in the global economy.  Students must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, be a U.S. Citizen, be enrolled in an associate degree program, be a 2006 or 2007 high school graduate, and be classified as a full-time student.

Louisiana GO Grant

The GO Grant Program is administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.  For initial eligibility a student must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, have an Education Cost Gap (ECG) greater than $0,  and be a first time freshman during the 2007-2008academic year or be 25 years old or older and not have enrolled in college for at least one academic year.  Visit the following website for more information:  www.osfa.state.la.us.

Louisiana's Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)

TOPS is a comprehensive program of state scholarships and one of the most innovative and progressive student assistance programs in the nation.  There are four award components, which include the Honors Award, Performance Award, Opportunity Award, and Tech Award.  To be eligible for TOPS, a student must be a recent high school graduate, have completed high school with at least a 2.5 grade point average, have earned the required core units in high school, and have the required ACT composite score.  High school guidance counselors certify students for TOPS through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.  For more information concerning these scholarships, visit www.osfa.state.la.us.

STEP Program

Individuals receiving FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program) benefits, through the Office of Family Support, should apply for financial assistance to assist with tuition, books, and supplies.  All applicants must initially contact their case manager for referral to this college and then see the STEP Coordinator at the appropriate campus.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)

LEAP Grants are offered by the state to technical college students.  Recipients must be Pell Grant eligible and must meet grade requirements.  The Financial Aid Officer at the college handles applications and awards.  This financial aid does not have a payback component.

Workforce Investment Act Program

Workforce Investment Act is a federally funded program offered through the state to assist economically disadvantaged individuals in obtaining employment.  In some instances, training may be offered to eligible participants. To apply, the applicant must contact the Workforce Investment Office in the parish in which he/she lives.

Social Security

Dependent children of those disabled or deceased workers covered by Social Security may be eligible to receive benefits while attending college as a full-time student.  Students should contact the local Social Security Office for determination of eligibility.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

This program assists individuals who have lost jobs due to a shift in production from the workers firm to a foreign country.  The cost of tuition, books, and supplies are covered under this program.  Applications are available at the Job Service Office in the applicants parish.

Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA)

This program provides the cost of tuition, books, and supplies for eligible students who have exhausted their Unemployment Insurance benefits.  Applications are available at the Job Service Office in the applicants parish.

Veterans Educational Benefits (GI Bill)

Full-time preparatory programs are approved for Veterans Administration Education benefits.  The veteran must establish his/her eligibility with the Parish Service Officer prior to entry into college.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

The State Division of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services provides financial assistance to persons who have a physical, emotional, learning, or mental disability.  To establish eligibility, the applicant should contact a counselor at this agency four to six months prior to entering college.  Tuition, books, supplies, transportation, and meals may be paid, depending on the needs of the individual.  Call (337) 262-5353 to set up an appointment.

METLA

The Motivation Education and Training, Inc., of Louisiana (METLA) provides financial aid for migrant and other seasonal farm workers.  This includes those who have been employed primarily on a farm or in some other agricultural workplace less than year-round during the past 12 to 24 months and who are members of a low-income family.  Dependents of such persons are also eligible.

Financial assistance includes a cash allowance equal to the federal minimum wage for every hour of instruction.  In addition to financial assistance, METLA offers students a variety of supportive services as needed in child care, emergency assistance, family counseling, referral services, and transportation assistance.  To establish eligibility, call (337) 367-6654.

McKenzie Memorial Scholarship

Two McKenzie Memorial Scholarships are awarded each year to applicants or students who are attending or who plan to attend Louisiana Technical College, Lafayette Campus.  To qualify, applicants must meet criteria D and at least one or more of criteria A-C below:

1.  Must be a Vietnam Veteran having served in the military during the period of 8/5/64 - 5/7/75.
2.  Be a dependent of a Vietnam veteran.
3.  Be a Vietnam era veteran having served in the military during the period above.
4.  Must have a 2.5 grade point average or better from the last school attended and must maintain this grade point average while enrolled.

Rotary Club Scholarship

This tuition scholarship is awarded on some campuses to outstanding students attending Louisiana Technical College.  Criteria used for selection may include grade point average, membership in clubs, participation in school activities, community service, leadership ability, and an interview.

Fel-Pro Automotive Technician Scholarship

A $500 scholarship is awarded to an applicant or student who is either enrolled in or plans to enroll in the Automotive Technology program at Louisiana Technical College. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1.  Be a high school senior, high school or GED graduate, who has applied for admission to Louisiana Technical College or who is currently enrolled as a full-time student in college.
2.  Course work should not be completed prior to December 1 in the year following the grant award.
3.  The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, or supplies and must be used during the academic year in which it is awarded.  (Scholarships may be renewed provided the student continues to meet the criteria above and maintains a 2.0 grade point average.)

AWS Scholarship

This is a tuition scholarship awarded to an individual who is pursuing or plans to pursue a career in welding.  To qualify, the applicant must have a 2.0 high school grade point average, or if already enrolled in the field, a 2.0 grade point average in college course work.  Two scholarships are given.  One is given by the Acadiana Section of the American Welding Society District and the other by the American Welding Society.  Deadlines for submitting applications are April 1 of each year.

Zonta - Louisiana Women's Scholarship

This is a scholarship for women who are the major wage earners of the family, who are enrolled or will enroll as undergraduates, who have satisfactory results on the SAT/ACT test, who are residents of Louisiana, U.S. citizens, and who are not scheduled for any remedial courses.  The recipient must maintain a 2.5 grade point average in order to have the scholarship renewed each year and must continue to maintain at least part-time enrollment status at the college.  Deadline for submitting applications is December 1 of each year.

Professional Aviation Maintenance Associations Scholarship

Applications are accepted July 1 through October 1 of each year.  Students must not be graduating before May of the next year.  For more information, see the Financial Aid Officer at the appropriate campus.

Helicopter Association International Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship

This scholarship is made available by the helicopter airframe and engine manufacturing program of Southern Illinois University.  The award recipients will receive $1500; $1000; or $500 for assistance with travel and lodging expenses.  Scholarship recipients must have completed their primary aviation maintenance training and passed all written, oral, and practical FAA exams prior to attendance at the chosen school.  Deadline for applications is October 1 of each year.

Elfrieda & Heinz Dworschak Scholarship (Acadian Home Builders Women's Council - #1936)

This scholarship is available to full-time students enrolled in Drafting & Design Technology, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and Electrician programs. Applications can be obtained from instructors in these programs or in the Student Affairs Office.  Applications are due by September 29 of each year.