Residents of the “Bayou State” are swamped with available scholarships in Louisiana for wading into higher education at a more affordable price.
Positioned on the Mississippi River Delta along the Gulf Coast, Louisiana is America’s 31st most-extensive state and home to nearly 4.7 million. Since Centenary College first opened in 1825, Louisiana’s post-secondary offerings have mushroomed with 46 institutions. College students may grow enamored with Louisiana for its:
- spicy Cajun cuisine
- Mardi Gras parties
- jazz halls
- Southern hospitality
- French history
- 7,721 statute miles of shoreline
There are first-rate learning options like:
- Louisiana Tech University
- Dillard University
- McNeese State University
- Grambling State University
In particular, Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge was ranked 135th nationally by the U.S. News.
Reel in free money for your chosen college with the following 20 Louisiana scholarships.
Rating the Top Louisiana Scholarships
1. Agnes Morris Education Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
The Louisiana Federation of Business & Professional Women sponsors the Agnes Morris Education Scholarship. It gifts $1,000 for two semesters to returning female students aged 25 or older. Qualified members must:
- be registered for 6+ credits
- attend accredited two- or four-year colleges in Louisiana
- maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
- display leadership promise
Since 2011, the STEM Career Advancement Scholarship has also specifically funded education in:
- science
- engineering
- technology
- mathematics.
Contact
Agnes Morris Education Scholarship
1424 Evangeline Road
Glenmora, LA 71433
(318) 748-7603
amesfchair@bpwlouisiana.org
2. Betty Lynne Theriot Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 15th
The Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science awards the Betty Lynne Theriot Memorial Scholarship. It’s for $500 each year. It’s for undergraduate members who are entering their senior/clinical year of an NAACLS-accredited medical laboratory science program. Chosen applicants must:
- have unmet financial need
- maintain a 3.0 GPA or greater
- have clinical aptitude
- send two references
Recipients could attend:
- University of Louisiana-Monroe
- Southern University at Shreveport
- Fortis College-Baton Rouge, and more.
Contact
Betty Lynne Theriot Memorial Scholarship
700 University Avenue
Monroe, LA 71209
(318) 342-1699
chapman@ulm.edu
3. Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Scholarships
Deadline: July 15th, November 25th, or April 25th
The Sovereign Nation of the Chitimacha offers up to $2,500 for tuition and $500 for textbooks per year. It grants multiple scholarships to tribal members who have finished a high school diploma or GED certificate. Eligible Native Americans must:
- live within a 50-mile radius of the Louisiana reservation
- gain admission at an accredited college or trade school
- have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- file the FAFSA application.
Contact
Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Scholarships
230 Chitimacha Loop
Charenton, LA 70523
(337) 923-2463
scholarshipinfo@chitimacha.gov
4. Dr. William S. Boyd Scholarship Fund
Deadline: June 30th
The Chiropractic Association of Louisiana established the Dr. William S. Boyd Scholarship Fund in 1995. It honors the House of Representatives member who became the state’s first licensed chiropractor two decades prior. Selected recipients must:
- reside in Louisiana
- have at least junior standing at a CCE-accredited chiropractic college
- excel academically with a 2.75 GPA or better
- intend to practice in-state
- be recommended by a dues-paying CAL member.
Contact
Dr. William S. Boyd Scholarship Fund
10636 Timberlake Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 769-5560
kachittom@aol.com
5. Eloise Voorhies Gary Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: October 21st
The Eloise Voorhies Gary Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Acadiana. It gifts $500 from the Louisiana Art Education Association. It honors the St. Martin Parish School System supervisor who passed in 2003. It’s designed for full-time college juniors and seniors at accredited Louisiana colleges. They must be pursuing art education degrees or certificates for K-12 teacher licensure. Applicants must submit an official transcript with a minimum 2.5 GPA and four 250-word essay responses.
Contact
Eloise Voorhies Gary Memorial Scholarship
1035 Camellia Blvd., Suite 100
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 482-6227
bfk0900@louisiana.edu
6. Frederick G. Deiler Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
The Frederick G. Deiler Memorial Scholarship is valued at $1,500. It’s one of three funds managed by the Louisiana Water Environment Association yearly. It’s to support students seeking environmental careers. Eligibility criteria requires:
- studying full-time with 12+ credits
- keeping a minimum B average
- pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at Louisiana colleges
- having at least two semesters remaining
Accepted majors include:
- engineering
- hydrology
- public health
- conservation
- biology.
Contact
Frederick G. Deiler Memorial Scholarship
One American Place, Suite 2040
Baton Rouge, LA 70825
(225) 344-2609
henry@lca.org
7. Gil Dupré Graduate Student Scholarship
Deadline: November 7th
The Gil Dupré Graduate Student Scholarship is named for the long-time CEO who retired in 2012. It presents $2,500 to $10,000 annually from the Louisiana Association of Health Plans. It’s for master’s students finishing their last year of healthcare management programs. Selected U.S. citizens and Louisiana residents will earn a minimum 3.0 GPA at:
- Tulane University
- Louisiana State University
- University of New Orleans
They must plan to enter the health benefits industry.
Contact
Gil Dupré Graduate Student Scholarship
450 Laurel Street, Suite 1850
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 378-3205
jford@lahp.net
8. Gwen Higgins English Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 15th
The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana offers two Louisiana scholarships each year. One is the Gwen Higgins English Scholarship for $1,000. Graduating seniors at Lake Arthur High School must:
- have passed four years of English
- pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree full-time
- display academic excellence with a minimum 3.5 GPA
Applications should feature an original, 500-word essay titled “The Most Captivating Book I’ve Read.”
Contact
Gwen Higgins English Scholarship Program
1625 Ryan Street, Suite C
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 491-6688
DVaughan@FoundationSWLA.org
9. Harvey L. Foster Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: January 31st
The Harvest L. Foster Foundation is devoted to “Rewarding Ambition with Tuition.” It awards multiple scholarships in Louisiana for high school seniors from the parishes of:
- St. Tammany
- Livingston
- Washington
- Tangipahoa
Recipients claim $1,000 per semester or $8,000 total for earning science or engineering bachelor’s degrees at Louisiana universities. Other qualifications include:
- taking 12+ credits each term
- declaring STEM-related majors
- maintaining a science GPA of 3.0 or better
- sending two recommendations.
Contact
Harvey L. Foster Foundation Scholarships
226 Chestnut Oak Drive
Mandeville, LA 70448
(985) 674-0660 ext. 101
cfoster@theharveylfosterfoundation.com
10. Irene M. Petijean Horticulture Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
The Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. budgets for 10 annual scholarships like the $1,000 Irene M. Petijean Horticulture Scholarship. It’s to encourage tomorrow’s gardening professionals. To apply, candidates must be matriculating full-time at a public Louisiana college with an accredited Horticulture Department to study:
- plant science
- landscape design
- agriculture
- environmental conservation
- or similar majors
Also consider the $2,000 Anite Currault and $500 Neil Christopher Scholarships.
Contact
Irene M. Petijean Horticulture Scholarship
1606 Water Street
Lecompte, LA 71346
(337) 776-9177
pamxyz@bellsouth.net
11. Joseph Meraux Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: July 1st
The Joseph Meraux Foundation has awarded over 600 scholarships for $1.9 million total. These help financially bolster high school seniors from Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish who are pursuing accredited U.S. higher education. For $1,000 annually, interested applicants must:
- attend a college or technical school full-time
- successfully complete 18+ credits per year
- carry a minimum unadjusted GPA of 2.0
- have need for financial assistance.
Contact
Joseph Meraux Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 8875
New Orleans, LA 70182
(504) 330-2202
Scholarships@merauxfoundation.org
12. LASN Breakthrough to Nursing Scholarship
Deadline: September 8th
The Louisiana Association of Student Nurses sponsors the Breakthrough to Nursing Scholarship. They assist non-traditional learners who are:
- aged 30 or older
- single parents
- male
- ethnic minorities
- married/divorced
- career changers
Eligible winners must fulfill one of these criteria as well as:
- be LASN members for 6+ months
- pursue an accredited associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing
- hold a minimum 2.5 GPA
- submit two faculty reference letters commenting on clinical promise.
Contact
LASN Breakthrough to Nursing Scholarship
P.O. Box 52655
New Orleans, LA 70152
(504) 568-4808
lasnpresident@gmail.com
13. Louisiana CPAs Education Scholarships
Deadline: November 15th
The Society of Louisiana CPAs Education Foundation grants six scholarships for $500 to $2,000 each year. They go to student members who are studying accounting at an accredited Louisiana business school for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Up-and-coming Certified Public Accountants must:
- be entering their fifth semester or higher
- carry a minimum accounting GPA of 3.0
- intend to take the Becker CPA Exam Review course.
Contact
Louisiana CPAs Education Scholarships
2400 Veterans Blvd., Suite 500
Kenner, LA 70062
(504) 464-1040
skelly@lcpa.org
14. Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship Fund
Deadline: May 1st
The Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship Fund is offered by Howard Ekblad of Library Interiors. It awards $1,000 from the Louisiana Library Association yearly. It supports part-time students pursuing the ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science. This program is at the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education. Qualified awardees must:
- have lived in Louisiana for 12+ months
- have a minimum bachelor’s GPA of 3.2
- achieve a combined GRE score above 1050.
Contact
Mary Moore Mitchell Scholarship Fund
8550 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 922-4642
office@llaonline.org
15. Nelda C. Seal Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: June 10th
The Louisiana Baptists Foundation offer the Nelda C. Seal Endowed Scholarship. It gifts $600 per term or $1,200 annually to pastors of Baptist mission churches in-state. They must be pursuing a Master of Divinity or Christian diploma at an ATS-accredited Southern Baptist seminary. Faithful applicants must:
- be devoted to the Lord’s work
- matriculate for 6+ credits
- participate in the Weeks of Prayer for State Missions
Those at Louisiana College could earn the Hannah Reynolds Scholarship instead.
Contact
Nelda C. Seal Endowed Scholarship
1250 MacArthur Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303
(318) 448-3402
Janie.Wise@louisianabaptists.org
16. Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: July 1st or December 1st
The Patrick F. Taylor Foundation biannually honors the late CEO of Taylor Energy Company by presenting Louisiana scholarships worth $500 to $2,500 each semester. Prospective applicants must:
- have U.S. citizenship
- finish the advanced 19-unit TOPS core
- enroll as first-time freshmen at in-state colleges
- have an overall GPA above 2.5
- score at least 19 on the ACT
- submit a character reference
School-specific funds, such as Cabrini High School and Kinkaid School, are also offered.
Contact
Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Scholarships
One Lee Circle
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 589-0555
taylorawards@bellsouth.net
17. PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 1st
The Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays New Orleans Chapter awards annual scholarships for $1,000 to $10,000. They’re to encourage higher education for students who are:
- lesbian
- gay
- bisexual
- transgender
- straight ally
Suitable applicants will:
- live in Louisiana
- be accepted at an accredited post-secondary school
- be age 17 or older
- maintain good academic standing
- actively advocate for LGBT equality rights.
Contact
PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 15515
New Orleans, LA 70175
(504) 862-5912
scholarship@pflagno.org
18. Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
The Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship is worth up to $12,000. It’s offered by the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission yearly. It’s for bachelor’s or graduate students majoring in:
- wildlife biology
- conservation
- fisheries management
- wetlands ecology
- forestry
- similar natural sciences
Accepted candidates must:
- attend a Louisiana public university full-time
- successfully earn 60+ credits by Fall
- achieve a 2.5 GPA or greater
- complete the FAFSA application.
Contact
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
P.O. Box 91202
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
(800) 259-5626
custserv@la.gov
19. Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Scholarship
Deadline: June 15th
The Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Scholarship is one of nearly 50 funds managed by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation. It helps fund Louisianans’ collegiate dreams. This is a $1,500, merit-based program. It seeks applicants who are pursuing the Practitioner Teacher Alternate Certification in early childhood or elementary education at accredited in-state universities. Applications must include:
- a transcript
- resume
- teaching goals statement,
- at least two recommendations.Contact
Ruby J. Darensbourg-Cook Scholarship
100 North Street, Suite 900
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 387-6126
lthomas@braf.org
20. Taylor Opportunity Program for Students
Deadline: July 1st
The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students is administered by the Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission. It provides four scholarships:
- the Opportunity Award
- Performance Award
- Honors Award
- Tech Award
Each pays full tuition and certain fees for full-time enrollment at a Louisiana public college or university. General criteria include:
- finishing the 19-unit TOPS curriculum
- holding a minimum C+ average
- scoring above 20 on the ACT
- finishing 24+ credits per year.
Contact
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students
602 North Fifth Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(800) 259-5626
custserv@la.gov
Nesting dollar bills in the “Pelican State” is vital to afford letting your learning goals take flight. SmartAsset ranked Louisiana 35th nationally for college with an average net cost of $9,762. For 2016, undergrad tuition sticker prices in Louisiana ranged from $4,483 at Southern University at New Orleans to $49,638 at Tulane University. Make certain your financial aid package isn’t too shrimpy by searching for external funding sources.
These 20 scholarships in Louisiana are a great starting point along with government programs like the Pell Grant and Louisiana Go Grant.
GCD Staff, January 2017
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