Attending College in Louisiana: What You Need to Know (Including Louisiana Scholarships)

Updated on November 20th, 2023

For many students, attending college in Louisiana feels like the perfect match. But with so many fantastic Louisiana colleges and universities available, making a college decision can prove challenging. Plus, figuring out the financial side of the equation isn’t always easy.

If your student plans on attending college in Louisiana, scholarships can make nearly any school affordable. If you and your student want to learn about Louisiana scholarships, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.

Luckily, students can get moving in the right direction by using specific strategies. If your student plans on attending college in Louisiana, here’s what they need to know.

Contents

1 About Louisiana
2 Colleges and Universities in Louisiana
- 2.1 College Towns in Louisiana
- 2.2 Major Louisiana Colleges and Universities
3 Louisiana Financial Aid
- 3.1 Louisiana College Grants
- 3.2 Louisiana Scholarships
4 Living and Getting Around in Louisiana
5 Making Money in Louisiana

About Louisiana

Louisiana is an undeniably beautiful state with an intriguing history. It’s home to lush coastal bayous, and it’s where the Mississippi River pours into the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana also has a rich agricultural history, largely due to its highly fertile soil.

Plus, Louisiana has some unique claims to fame. The state boasts the tallest state capitol building in the United States, and it uses parishes instead of counties to divide the state into smaller regions. The oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world is also in Louisiana, and the first opera in the country took place in the state.

When it comes to the weather, Louisiana is subtropical, so hot, humid summers are the norm, while winters are short and typically mild. In July, the average temperature is 82°F, but the winter average is a temperature 50°F

Colleges and Universities in Louisiana

When it’s time for students to pick their perfect Louisiana college, it can prove a bit tricky. In total, there are 118 colleges in Louisiana. There are 39 four-year colleges and universities in Louisiana, along with 79 two-year community colleges and technical schools.

While some students may feel that exploring every school is manageable, most would get overwhelmed if they had to look at them all. Fortunately, students can streamline the process by using the right technique. Here are two strategies that make choosing between the various Louisiana universities and colleges easier.

College Towns in Louisiana

Many students assume that the best way to pick a college or university in Louisiana to attend is to explore the schools first. However, focusing on location is potentially a better way to begin.

Even if students spend most of their time on campus, it’s critical to select a city that has everything they need, as well as an excellent atmosphere. As a result, beginning the search by exploring college towns can be an intelligent move. College towns are typically highly supportive of their local schools. Plus, the area usually has amenities that cater to young adults.

Once a student finds the right city, they can move forward by seeing what schools are nearby. Often, this makes a college search much easier to manage as students narrow down their options quickly.

Here is a list of Louisiana college towns:

Baton Rouge
Hammond
Lafayette
Lake Charles
Monroe
Natchitoches
New Orleans
Shreveport
Thibodaux

While those college towns can serve as an excellent starting point, that doesn’t mean students shouldn’t branch out if those cities won’t meet their needs. Ultimately, students need to focus on finding the right fit, so if another area is a better match, then it’s okay to look elsewhere.

Major Louisiana Colleges and Universities

For students who prioritize the academic experience, beginning their college search by checking out major Louisiana colleges and universities is potentially a better choice. Each of the top schools has something unique to offer, and many students can easily find a suitable match using this approach.

Here are the major Louisiana colleges and universities:

As with college towns, students shouldn’t limit themselves to the list of colleges in Louisiana above if none of them offer the right fit. That way, they can find a school that meets their unique needs, ensuring they get the optimal experience.

Louisiana Financial Aid

Before students start packing their bags, they need to figure out how they’ll cover the cost of attending college in Louisiana. For most students, that means securing financial aid. While student loans are potentially part of that equation, it’s possible to avoid student debt by turning to Louisiana grants and scholarships instead.

Louisiana college scholarships and grants are administered at the state level or by local organizations that want to help students in the state. In most cases, residency is a requirement. For residency, the rules usually align with those for in-state tuition. For example, students may need to be domiciled in Louisiana (for a reason other than college) for at least 365 days prior to the first day of classes.

Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any options for out-of-state students. One example of opportunities that are available to in-state and out-of-state students is institutional awards. Often, those don’t require residency. Instead, enrollment at the particular school is the main requirement, though other rules can apply. As a result, students should explore institutional awards like Louisiana Tech scholarships to find more ways to reduce the cost of college.

Louisiana College Grants

Generally speaking, Louisiana college grants are a lot like Pell Grants, but they’re administered at the state level instead of the federal level. Students don’t need to repay them as long as they meet all of the requirements, making them an excellent way to avoid student loan debt.

However, students do need to navigate the eligibility requirements, which can vary from one grant to the next. As a result, it’s critical to review all provided information before applying, allowing students to ensure they qualify.

Here is a list of Louisiana college grants students can explore:

Louisiana Scholarships

There is a wide array of scholarships available for in-state students in Louisiana. Like college grants, scholarships are an excellent way for students to avoid debt, as they don’t require repayment.

Before students work on an application, they need to review all of the rules. Eligibility requirements do vary from one scholarship to the next, so ensuring eligibility before beginning the application process is a wise move.

Here is a list of college scholarships in Louisiana:

Living and Getting Around in Louisiana

For college students, understanding what it’s like to live and get around in Louisiana is incredibly helpful. After all, while they may spend most of their time on campus, they won’t remain there all of the time. Here’s a quick look at some information students should know.

Housing in Louisiana

When students prepare to go to college, choosing between dorms and off-campus apartments (and other types of housing) can seem tricky. However, by looking at housing costs, making a decision is usually much easier.

Buying a home in Louisiana isn’t practical for most students. The average home value in Louisiana (as of November 2023) is $200,146, and while that’s well below the national average of $348,539, it’s still more than most students could handle.

When it comes to renting an apartment, the fair market value for a one-bedroom is $842 per month, while a two-bedroom is $1,008 per month. For some students, that may be affordable, especially if they get a roommate. For others, it makes a dorm room the clear, best choice.

Transportation Options

When students need to get out and about, they have plenty of options. Locally, buses, taxis, and rideshares can make getting around reasonably easy. For long-distance travel, airports and train stations are widely available.

Here is a list of Louisiana airports:

Here are the Louisiana Amtrak stations, which are on the City of New Orleans, Crescent, and Sunset Limited routes:

Hammond, LA (HMD)
Lafayette, LA (LFT)
Lake Charles, LA (LCH)
New Iberia, LA (NIB)
New Orleans, LA – Union Passenger Terminal (NOL)
Schriever, LA (SCH)

Things to Do in Louisiana

When it’s time for students to have some fun, Louisiana has plenty to offer. Fans of the outdoors may enjoy a hike down the Creole Nature Trail or an airboat swamp tour. Jimmie Davis State Park is another excellent option, but if students want to hit the beach, Grande Isle is also a great choice.

A trip to the Tabasco Factory & Museum is worthwhile for students who appreciate spicy condiments. For students interested in history, the National WWII Museum and the Poverty Point World Heritage Site are both must-sees. If students want something more leisurely, a ride on a steamboat could be an excellent choice. For something spookier, taking a New Orleans haunted city tour is a fun option.

Making Money in Louisiana

While meeting all of a student’s financial needs through scholarships, grants, and other types of financial aid is possible, many students do need to work to bring in some income. Here’s what students need to know about making money in Louisiana.

Minimum Wage

Since many students have limited work experience and require flexibility from an employer, minimum wage jobs are commonly held. Since that’s the case, students need to know what the minimum wage is before heading to college.

In Louisiana, the minimum wage aligns with the federal minimum wage, as there isn’t a separate minimum wage law in the state. That means it’s currently $7.25 per hour. Additionally, tipped workers can earn as little as $2.13 per hour, suggesting their tips bring them up to at least the equivalent of $7.25 per hour. If their tips fall short, the employer makes up the difference.

Employment Rates

The unemployment rate in a state usually provides clues about the availability of jobs in the area. Low unemployment typically means more positions are available while finding a job is usually more difficult when unemployment is high.

As of September 2023, the unemployment rate in Louisiana is 3.3 percent. That’s a bit below the national average for that time, which came in at 3.8 percent. Since it’s a low rate, that usually means students won’t have much trouble finding a position.

Louisiana Key Industries

Understanding the major industries in a state helps students see what types of jobs are potentially available, as well as what careers may work long-term for students who want to remain in the area. In Louisiana, there are several industries that are significant parts of the economy.

Both advanced manufacturing and process industries are big business in Louisiana. Additionally, aerospace is a significant part of the economy, along with agribusiness, energy, and water management. Software development is another key sector, and Louisiana has a strong entertainment industry, including film production.

Attending College in Louisiana: What You Need to Know (Including Louisiana Scholarships)

About Louisiana