The total amount it will cost a student to go to school, usually expressed as an academic year figure. This cost is determined by the school in compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and is annually updated and adopted by the institution. The cost of education covers tuition and fees, on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students) and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, childcare, costs related to a disability, and miscellaneous expenses.
START (Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust Program) is an innovative college savings plan that qualifies as a "529" Plan uder the Internal Revenue Code, offering federal and state tax incentives to anyone who wishes to financially assist a student in acquiring a college education.
You probably have an amount in mind that you can afford to contribute on a monthly basis to build an account. Enter that monthly contribution amount below.
Choose a Monthly Contribution Amount: $
In addition to monthly contributions, you may choose to jump-start your account with a lump-sum contribution, or perhaps you would like to fund your account with the lump-sum contribution only.
Choose a Lump-Sum Contribution Amount: $
Choose an Estimated Annual Rate of Return: 4% 6% 8% 10% 12%
The Louisiana Early Start Program provides tuition assistance to eligible 11th and 12th grade students from public high schools that enroll in eligible college courses for dual credit at an eligible public or private college or university.
Students must meet general eligibility requirements as well as course requirements to enrool in college level, degree credit courses, enrichment/developmental courses or workskills/technical courses.
Indicate what grade you would be in when you started participating: 11th Grade 12th Grade
Now enter the number of credit hours you think you would be taking per academic year:
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents who attend either one of the Louisiana Public Colleges and Universities, schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System or institutions that are a part of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
The Louisiana Go Grant Program is a need-based grant for college students that can range from $500 to $2,000 annually. Standard eligibility requirements are to be a Louisiana resident, to be receiving a federal Pell grant or a financial need grant, and to have an Education Cost Gap (ECG) greater than $0. Additional eligibility requirements and the application process are available on our Go Grant page.
The maximum lifetime amount for a Go Grant award is $10,000.
There are additional sources of financial aid besides START, Early Start, and TOPS. LOSFA has other, specialized programs tha you may qualify for, and there are also other financial aid programs outside of LOSFA, such as private scholarships. To help get a more complete view of your financial aid picture, enter the names and amounts of up to five other financial aid programs here:
1. Enter the program name here... ..and enter the annual award amount here: $
2. Enter the program name here... ..and enter the annual award amount here: $
3. Enter the program name here... ..and enter the annual award amount here: $
4. Enter the program name here... ..and enter the annual award amount here: $
5. Enter the program name here... ..and enter the annual award amount here: $
Select up to 5 additional schools to compare savings: