TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Grants are gifts of money which do not have to be repaid, under most circumstances. You must show a significant amount of financial need to qualify for grant programs. Because most grant funding is limited, early application is encouraged. The major grants awarded by SLCC are described below:

Federal PELL Grant

• Available to undergraduate students with financial need. Values range depending on degree of need, cost of education, enrollment status and congressional funding level.
• Year Round PELL is also available to SLCC students who enroll during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Students must use 100% of initial Pell Grant to expand to 150% Pell Grant Eligibility.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• Federal funding available to undergraduate students attending at least half time with financial need. Funds are limited to students with the highest need who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. Values range from $300 to $600 annually, depending on funds available, enrollment status and degree of need.

Federal Title IV Loan Programs assist students with their educational expenses and are repaid when the student is no longer attending or enrolled in at least six credit hours. SLCC participates in two federal loan programs: Federal Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) and Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).

Federal Direct Loans

• Low interest rate loans, with multiple repayment programs
• Subsidized Loans – need based loan,  government pays interest during enrollment and grace period
• Unsubsidized Loans- non-need based loan, student pays interest starting at disbursement
• Must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours

It is the policy of South Louisiana Community College to initially offer federal aid, including direct loans, up to the maximum eligibility for the aid year. Should a student decline all, or part, of their federal direct loan, and later need to make changes, a Loan Request and Adjustment form must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid before enrollment is ceased for the aid year. Mid-year, grade level increases are also permissible, by request, via the Loan Request and Adjustment form, however, the increase will not be effective until the following term in which a student meets all federal and institutional aid requirements and is enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. Loan Request and Adjustment form may be found at https://solacc.jotform.com/212384742206149.
 

This federally funded program is available to students demonstrating financial need who are attending at least half time. Positions are currently available on campus or at local non-profit organizations. For more information, visit our Federal Work Study page. 

TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a program of state scholarships for Louisiana residents.. Eligibility requirements for TOPS awards are determined by Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA). LOSFA will notify SLCC of all students who are eligible for TOPS for the upcoming semesters, and we will automatically authorize TOPS awards on individual LoLA accounts. SLCC accepts all levels of TOPS awards, including TOPS Tech. Click for a full list of TOPS Tech eligible programs at SLCC.

Beginning with the graduating class of 2022, students must achieve a 3.25 TOPS core GPA to qualify for a TOPS Performance award or a 3.50 TOPS core GPA to qualify for a TOPS Honors award. 

Please click for more information on the Louisiana Go Grant.
 

The Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program awards up to $9,000 annually during the academic year to qualified students who have been in the foster care system so they can pursue an academic college education or technical and skill training in college to be prepared to enter the workforce. The actual award amount is determined by the student’s financial need, which is calculated in accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

The Strategies to Empower People (STEP) Vocational Education Program, funded by the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), awards payment of postsecondary tuition and up to $300 for books and fees each semester to eligible recipients of the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).

The GO Youth Challenge Program is a program to encourage and assist those students who graduate from the Louisiana National Guard's Youth Challenge Program to continue their education and enhance their employment opportunities by providing tuition at an eligible Louisiana postsecondary institution.

The Chancellor’s HiSET Grant will be awarded to students who complete the high school equivalency diploma at  South Louisiana Community College.  Each HiSET completer will receive a certificate of eligibility that can apply a one-time $500 grant towards their SLCC education. 

We understand that paying for college can be difficult. That’s why we offer thousands of dollars in student scholarships every year.

Visit our scholarships page to view scholarships available each semester.