LEAP is a federal program that provides
need-based grants to academically qualified students.
The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance
(LOSFA) allocates funds to postsecondary institutions, which include Louisiana
private and public colleges and universities, technical colleges and proprietary
schools, based upon the school's prior year fall enrollment, school type and
prior year award experience. Applicants are selected and certified for
LEAP by the school's financial aid officer. Interested students must contact
the school's financial aid office for specific information about the LEAP Program.
Schools must be approved to participate in the program.
Last year, almost 4,000 students received LEAP funds
totaling approximately $1.5 million, with the average award being $369. Individual
grants range from $200 to $2,000; the amount is determined by the financial
aid officer and is governed by the number of applicants and the availability
of funds at a particular school.
Participating schools may establish eligibility criteria
in addition to that required by LOSFA, which are listed below.
LEAP applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national or eligible noncitizen;
and
- Register with Selective Service, if required; and
- Be a resident of Louisiana for at least one year prior
to July 1 of the award year.
- Annually submit the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA by the deadline set by the school; and
- Have a high school diploma with at least a 2.00 cumulative
grade point average (GPA), or a minimum average score of 45 on the General
Educational Development (GED) test, or an ACT composite score of at least
20, or a postsecondary school GPA of at least 2.00 from the most recent term;
and
- Be selected and certified by the school for receipt
of a LEAP Award, contingent upon final approval by LOSFA; and
- Meet any additional selection criteria established
by the individual institution participating in the LEAP Program; and
- Be certified as a full-time undergraduate student
in an eligible program at an eligible postsecondary institution; and
- Have substantial financial need of at least $199;
and
- Be in compliance with the terms of other federal and
state student aid programs that are administered by LASFAC, which the applicant
may be receiving; and
- Not have a criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor
traffic violations; and
- Agree that the award proceeds will be used exclusively
for educational expenses; and
- Not be in default of an educational loan.
Maintaining Eligibility
To continue receiving a LEAP Award, the recipient must
meet all of the following :
- Meet all of the initial eligibility criteria listed
above; and
- Maintain a cumulative postsecondary grade point average
of at least 2.00 calculated on a 4.00 scale by the conclusion of the academic
year (spring term).
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