$3.5 Million in Go Grants Awarded to 3,767 UL System Students
$3.5 Million in Go Grants Awarded to 3,767 UL System Students – Dec 12, 2007
Baton Rouge, LA – The eight campuses in the University of Louisiana System awarded a combined $3.5 million in Go Grants to students this fall in their continued efforts to increase affordability for students.
The Go Grant is Louisiana’s new need-based college aid program that was proposed by Governor Kathleen Blanco and funded by the state Legislature earlier this year. The purpose of the program is to bridge the gap between the federal Pell Grant aid program and the actual cost of attending a Louisiana college or university. Therefore, the award amount can differ for each Pell eligible student. The maximum annual award amount is $2,000 for full-time students.
“It is our responsibility to make higher education programs accessible. Affordability is one critical component in opening the doors of our institutions.” said UL System Executive Vice President Dr. Kim Hunter Reed. “These initial reports indicate there is indeed a need for this program. We continue to thank the Legislature and Governor Blanco for making these funds available to almost 4,000 of our students.”
The following Go Grant awards were made to students in the UL System:
· $320,492 to 350 students Grambling State University
· $249,291 to 375 students Louisiana Tech University
· $328,135 to 338 students McNeese State University
· $373,291 to 386 students Nicholls State University
· $458,868 to 482 students Northwestern State University
· $646,201 to 674 students Southeastern Louisiana University
· $521,500 to 528 students University of Louisiana at Lafayette
· $608,722 to 634 students University of Louisiana at Monroe
In addition to the Go Grant, UL System institutions awarded $41 million in scholarships, including other need-based aid programs. Targeting dollars for scholarships is a key strategy for supporting the UL System goal of increasing student access and success by targeting affordability.
“We want to graduate more students at a faster rate without debt. With 39 percent of our students receiving Pell Grants, the average student working 26 hours a week and average student debt at more than $18,000, the Go Grant provides a giant step forward by addressing financial barriers to college,” said Reed.
-30-
For More Information Contact:
Jackie Tisdell
(225) 342-6950
jtisdell@uls.state.la.us
Related Files:
