Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
A Program of the Board of Regents
The redesigned 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will launch in December 2023. This means that FAFSA Completion Workshops for students attending college in the fall of 2024, including 2024 high school graduates, will not be available until December 2023. FSA ID Completion is still encouraged ahead of the anticipated FAFSA launch later this year. FSA ID Workshops can be requested separately from FAFSA Completion events by completing the Event Request Form.

Schools that have scheduled a FAFSA Completion event with LOSFA should contact their assigned LOSFA representative ahead of their event to discuss the status of the FSA website. Events may need to be rescheduled if the FSA website is unavailable.

LOSFA is also available to provide FAFSA-related assistance to students and parents:

·      FAFSA Assistance Virtual Office Hour sessions – one-on-one assistance with FAFSA Completion

·      GeauxFAFSA@la.gov – email FAFSA-related questions to LOSFA staff

Request a LOSFA Event

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) provides several Outreach (group) Events, Seminars and Workshops for schools, institutions, and organizations. These events can be delivered virtually and in-person.

Events can be scheduled Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m. and must end by 7 p.m. If you have any questions concerning scheduling an event, please e-mail losfa.scheduling@la.gov 

When requesting an event, please choose three option dates within a 30-day time frame window (at least 30 days from date of request submission). The events coordinator will reach out to you regarding available dates once form is received. Every effort will be made to accommodate the first option date, but it is not guaranteed.

If requesting an in-person event, the following shall be observed:

  • Masks are recommended but not required
  • LOSFA representatives may or may not wear masks, depending on their personal preference and comfort level

If you have any questions concerning scheduling an event, please e-mail losfa.scheduling@la.gov or call 225-219-1012.

Types of Events

TOPS Seminar

This seminar provides information on Louisiana’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). This seminar includes information on program requirements in high school and continuation requirements once students enter postsecondary education institutions. It is usually conducted in 20-30 minutes.

FAFSA Seminar

This seminar provides information on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A Completion Workshop assists parents and students when completing the FAFSA; this seminar provides information. It is usually conducted in 15 minutes.

TOPS & FAFSA Seminar

This seminar provides information on Louisiana’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is usually conducted in 30-40 minutes.

START Seminar

This seminar provides information on Louisiana’s 529 College Savings Plan. Adults will receive information on the savings plan, investment options and process to open an account for their student(s). It is usually conducted in 30 minutes.

Financial Aid Seminar

This seminar provides information on all types of Financial Aid including federal, state, military and private sources for financial aid. This seminar can also include information on TOPS and FAFSA information. It is usually conducted in 50-60 minutes.

TOPS Retention Seminar

This seminar is usually held at postsecondary education institutions catering to students who were awarded TOPS. Students will also receive information on how to avoid cancellation and/or suspension of their TOPS Award as they matriculate through their postsecondary education institutions.

Browse Session

This is neither a seminar nor a workshop. A browse session is usually held at a college fair or expo. Students and/or parents will be able to approach a LOSFA representative with questions on TOPS, Financial Aid and College Access information.

Cross-Curricular College Access Activities

The Cross-Curricular College Access Activities are classroom lessons that integrate content and skills from multiple college access and career areas into one cohesive learning experience. During these lessons, students can learn and apply the LOSFA 5-Point Match, explore their career interests along with colleges that offer their degree and examine their cost of living after college.

Louisiana College Application and Access Month (LCAAM)

The purpose of LCAAM is to assist 12th grade students with navigating the complex college admissions process and to ensure that they apply to at least one postsecondary institution of interest. Schools have the opportunity to invite families to attend and to take advantage of completing and submitting college applications with their students. LCAAM events may include college applications, FSA ID registrations, FAFSAs, career searches, employment applications, military searches and military applications.

FSA ID & FAFSA Completion Workshop

LOSFA Representatives will assist both students and parents in creating their FSA ID at this workshop. The FSA ID is a combination of a username and password required to submit the FAFSA. The FSA ID workshop can be held in conjunction with a FAFSA Completion Workshop or separately

Pre-TOPS Retention Workshop

The TOPS Retention Workshop will provide students the information needed to determine whether the student is progressing successfully toward TOPS Award eligibility. Students will also receive information on how to avoid cancellation and/or suspension of their TOPS Award once they enroll in postsecondary education institutions.

College Acceptance/Award Recognition Day

As a follow-up to Louisiana College Application and Access Month (LCAAM), students who have been accepted to a college will be formally recognized in existing school award ceremonies.

College Commitment and Attainment Month

As an extension of Louisiana College Application and Month (LCAAM), College Commitment and Attainment Month (CCAM) will focus on helping students transition to postsecondary education after high school graduation by addressing what happens after receiving an acceptance letter. LOSFA representatives will assist students through webinars, resources, and presentations to navigate common hurdles that affect the first-year transition to postsecondary institutions. Resources and presentations include comparing postsecondary institutions for match & fit, financial aid verification, scheduling courses, transfer credits, campus resources, career exploration, and summer planning.

M.J. Foster Promise Program Seminar

This seminar provides information on the M.J. Foster Promise Program for Louisiana residents ages 21 years or older. This seminar covers program eligibility and continuation requirements once students enter postsecondary education institutions. It is usually conducted in 20-30 minutes.

Other (Please Specify):

If your dreams include anything with college access for your students, LOSFA will be able to help. Some examples of seminars/workshops: Scholarship Searches, How to create a Student Hub Account, etc..

Hi! I'm LEX.