Exclusive Scholarships in Louisiana to Apply for in 2024

About Louisiana scholarships

Louisiana provides its high school and college students with enriching opportunities to advance their learning. However, with the growing tuition rates and higher education budget cuts, affording education at four-year universities and community colleges is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

Louisiana and financial aid

The Louisiana Budget Project, which monitors and reports on public policy and how it affects Louisiana's low-to-moderate-income families, quotes Louisiana Illuminator Greg LaRose's explanation of higher education statistics. LaRose states that "A preliminary enrollment survey from the state Board of Regents, which oversees higher educations, found a 26% decrease in enrollment at Louisiana colleges and universities for the fall 2021 semester."

The decrease is linked not only to the pandemic and natural disasters but also to fewer students qualifying for the Taylor Opportunity Program, TOPS. 

According to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, standard eligibility requirements for TOPS include intense specifications such as a 3.25-3.5 high school minimum GPA, BESE-Approved Home-Study Student Eligibility, full-time enrollment, and attendance at eligible institutions, or institutions that are members of the Louisiana Association of the Independent Colleges and Universities. In 2021, out of 37,519 graduating high school seniors, only 65.7% qualified for TOPS, which is the lowest it's been since 2016.

In addition to TOPS, the state offers other grants and Louisiana scholarships including the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship and the Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Program.

Student debt in Louisiana

With fewer students able to receive in-state financial assistance and with increases in student fees, college students are left to combat the rise in tuition by seeking the help of federal and private loans. The average balance for student loan borrowers in Louisiana is $33,823, which is 8% lower than the U.S. average of $36,689.

Altogether, borrowers in the US owe more than $1.7 trillion collectively, with Louisiana making up a small portion of this overwhelming debt.

Louisiana students and tuition rates

Despite the opportunities that Louisiana provides its students who are entering higher education, both four-year universities and community colleges have dropped their spending per student by 37.7%. As a result, Louisiana college institutions now spend $4,340 less per student than they did in 2008.

In comparison, tuition in Louisiana rose by 96.8%, roughly $4,729 per student, between 2008 to 2019. The result is that students are paying more for their education but their colleges and universities are now spending less on them.

Additionally, Louisiana public colleges, since the 2009 recession, have moved from being 80% funded by the state with 20% being student fees, to now, being 80% funded by tuition with 20% state support.

Louisiana higher education budget shifts

The direct state support to colleges and universities from fiscal years 2009-2010 to fiscal years 2019-2020, experienced a 44.4% decrease.

Perhaps most alarming in this performance evaluation is how Louisiana college fees have outpaced inflation by 113.5%, resulting in undergraduate students paying an additional $318.3 million in fees, or $6,247 per student, to obtain a college degree. 

In short, Louisiana students are paying for more than inflation deems necessary, and are being under-supported by their universities.

Obtaining a scholarship for a four-year degree or a two-year degree is more difficult than it has ever been. If students intend to attend a Louisiana university and have financial need, it is critical that they utilize as many state-specific scholarships, grants, and scholarships at large that are available to them in order to afford their educational costs.

13 scholarships for Louisiana residents

Bold.org is the largest independent scholarship program that awards financial assistance to eligible applicants with no expectation of repayment. Bold.org is all about providing financial support in scholarships and grants to students in every corner.

There are hundreds of exclusive scholarships available on Bold.org with new opportunities created every day. Regardless of the intended field of study, student demographic, or even intrinsic values, there are scholarships that every student is eligible for. Our recommendation is to apply for as many scholarships as you can to maximize your winnings.

Bold.org currently has one state-specific scholarship available for Louisiana residents, while providing plenty others that students will find they are just as eligible to apply for. With new scholarships dropping every week, be sure to check back soon for new Louisiana options!

Centenary College of Louisiana "Grow" Scholarship

This scholarship grants a high school or undergraduate student, who is interested in attending Centenary College, $1,000 toward their education.

While the scholarship will be awarded on March 1st, 2022, the scholarship will have rolling monthly application deadlines. Selection criteria are based on a student's demonstrated purpose, impact, and ambition.

Additional scholarships for students in Louisiana

Sports In Action Scholarship

This scholarship will award $500 to a high school or undergraduate student who currently plays sports or plans to in college and is interested in a career in sports. The application deadline is April 1st, 2022.

I Am Third Scholarship

This opportunity will award $1,000 to a student of any educational level who writes a 400-600 word essay on their personal ambitions and how they wish to make a positive impact on the world. The application deadline is April 12th, 2022.

"Equal Opportunity" Scholarship

This scholarship will award $500 to two winners to students of any education level, who have a 2.0 GPA or higher. The application deadline is September 1st, 2022.

Environmental Impact Scholarship

This scholarship will award $500 to a high school senior, who is interested in environmental problem-solving. The student must write a 400-600 word response essay by April 30th, 2022.

Robert F. Lawson Fund for Careers that Care

This opportunity will grant $750 to two students (students must be low-income high school seniors or undergraduate students), who are interested in healthcare, social work, government, education, or a related field. Applicants must write a 400-600 word response essay by April 18th, 2022.

Chef John Patrick Thompson Culinary Arts Scholarship

This award will give $1,500 to a high school senior, who is planning to pursue a degree and career in the culinary arts, based on their 400-600 word response essay. The application deadline is March 31st, 2022.

Frequently asked questions about Louisiana scholarships

When taking the time to find an accredited college to attend, it is paramount for Louisiana applicants to consider how they are going to gather the financial aid needed to cover their student fees. The state's financial aid plan allows for a limited account of financial assistance, providing scholarship awards to students who show promise in their high school official transcript, satisfy a minimum GPA, and enroll full-time for a four-year degree.

Below, Bold.org addresses frequently asked questions about attending university in Louisiana, whether the institution is in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Lafayette.

When can I start applying for scholarships?

Bold.org provides scholarship opportunities for a range of students at all academic levels. Students can begin to apply for scholarships at any point in high school, but most high school students begin applying during their senior year.

If you are in high school and are awarded scholarship funding, Bold.org will hold the reward until you enroll in a college or university.

If you are currently enrolled in a university program, Bold.org has an abundance of scholarships available to both undergraduate and graduate students.

How do I apply?

If you are not already a member of Bold.org, you can register now. In order to create a profile on Bold.org, you must be at least fourteen years old and attending a U.S. high school or college. You can click on any of the scholarships above to create your account today.

To begin applying for college scholarships, collect the materials needed to stand out in a competitive scholarship. Read the scholarship description for eligibility requirements, instructions, and deadline, and fill in your information accordingly.

If awarded a scholarship, the funds will be sent to your college's financial aid office and will be filtered toward the outstanding student fees.

Are there scholarships in Louisiana for trade schools?

The trades can be valuable careers so there are plenty of scholarships that encourage students to pursue trade degrees. For example, Uniball's Skilled Trades Scholarship will award two high school or undergraduate students $2,500 each based on their application essays. The application deadline is March 14th, 2022.

The Marilyn J. Palmer Memorial Scholarship will award a student of any educational level $503 based on their response essay. The application deadline is March 13th, 2022.

Are there scholarships in Louisiana for nursing students?

There are many options for nursing students, especially in light of the pandemic. The Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship is one option that will award three students of any education level $1,050 each based on their application essays. The application deadline is July 1st, 2022.

Are there scholarships that elevate diverse students?

Many scholarships seek to support students who are racial minorities, low-income, LGBTQ+, disabled, and/or women. The WiseGeek Diversity in Law No-Essay Scholarship, for example, will award students of any education level who are committed to promoting diversity with $500. The application is due on April 16th, 2022.

Additionally, the Melaninwhitecoats Podcast Annual Scholarship will award either a high school senior or a college junior or senior with $1,525 based on their response essay. The application deadline is June 26th, 2022.

The Theresa Lord Future Leader Scholarship will reward either a high school senior or undergraduate student, who must be African American or of Caribbean descent, with $2,500 based on their application essay. The application deadline is March 14th, 2022.

How many scholarships can I receive from Bold.org?

Student users on Bold.org can win an unlimited amount of scholarship awards! This means that you can apply for as many scholarships as you want, all for free.

No matter how many scholarships you apply to or are awarded, the scholarship amounts all contribute to helping you afford college. The sooner you apply, the more money you can win to avoid needing to rely on federal or private student loans.