FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND AWARDS
Financial
Aid [ Top of Page ]
Most full time undergraduate students at Nicholls depend upon financial assistance to pay their educational costs. A student unable to meet the cost of an education at Nicholls with personal or family resources should apply for financial aid.
Financial aid alternatives available are in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and employment opportunities. Regardless of income, residence or academic credentials, students should apply for financial aid. Some students who believe they are ineligible for assistance learn that they are eligible.
University Contact With Students Through Electronic Mail [ Top of Page ]
Electronic mail (e-mail) is an official method of contact between the University and students. This e-mail contact applies to all forms of communication including but not limited to matters concerning admissions, registration, financial aid, and academic affairs. Students are given e-mail addresses after their initial registration. Students should check e-mail at least once a week. The University provides computer access for all students by way of open computer labs. For information concerning the use of e-mail and the availability of computers, please contact Academic Computing, (985) 448-4649.
Projected Costs [ Top of Page ]
Generally, the total budgetary cost for the 2004-2005 academic year was $10,146 for a student living in University housing and $9,678 for a student living at home. Costs vary according to where students live and their personal spending habits.
All students pay essentially the same tuition and fees (although these can vary) of $3,346 for the 2004-2005 academic year for a full time student. Books and supplies cost approximately $1000 a year. Personal and miscellaneous expenses were approximately $1,533.
All undergraduate students, including freshmen and transfer students living in University housing, paid $3,384 for room and board if living on the campus and about $7,173 if living off campus, although off-campus amount varied. Transportation expenses for students living on campus was about $883 and about $1,331 for students living at home, although the at home cost varied.
For students who qualify for financial aid, adjustments may be made for costs incurred because of a disability or other extraordinary circumstances.
For most students and their families, financial aid reduces out-of-pocket expenses considerably, and the actual cost of attending Nicholls will not be as much as the full estimated projected costs shown above.
Sources and Types of Financial Aid [ Top of Page ]
The University provides scholarships and employment; the federal government and the state provide funds for grants, loans and employment opportunities; and private individuals and organizations assist students by awarding scholarships. The Financial Aid Office will refer students with a disability to Vocational Rehabilitation, which will determine whether they qualify for assistance.
Scholarships and grants are funds that students do not repay. They are usually awarded on the basis of academic ability or financial need or both. Loans must be repaid at a predetermined interest rate over a specified time. Employment involves providing a service for compensation on campus during the academic year.
Federal and State Assistance [ Top of Page ]
To apply for federal or state aid or both, a student must be a U. S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. A Student Aid Report (SAR) must be on file in the Financial Aid Office, and students must maintain academic progress standards as established by the Financial Aid Office in order to receive any federal financial assistance. Students should apply for federal financial aid as early as January 1, 2005. The Financial Aid Office has counselors available by appointment to discuss students’ situations. Students are encouraged to meet deadlines imposed by the Financial Aid Office in order to avoid delays. The following awards can be made only in accordance with federal regulations:
The FEDERAL PELL GRANT is awarded to each eligible undergraduate student attending eligible institutions of higher education including Nicholls, and is intended to be the "floor" of a student's financial package. The maximum grant for each student is determined by the U.S. Department of Education according to federal guidelines. A student's enrollment status and expected family contribution can affect eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant.
FEDERAL SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS, FEDERAL PARENT LOANS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, and FEDERAL UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOANS are administered by the U.S. Department of Education according to federal guidelines. To be eligible for these low-interest loans, students must demonstrate financial need (with the exception of the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and the Federal Parent Loan) and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students must enroll on at least a half-time basis (six hours for a semester or three hours for the summer session) in order to receive any type of federal loan.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT - The University employs about 700 students in various capacities on the campus, mostly in offices, laboratories, the library, and the student union. All students receive the minimum federal wage. In addition to the University's institutional student employment program, a federal work study program is conducted for financially eligible students. Application for either program may be made in the Student Employment Office. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form if they are interested in employment.
FEDERAL PERKINS LOANS - The Perkins Loan Program of the National Defense Education Act makes up to $2,250 available per academic year to each student who qualifies; it is repayable at a low-interest rate and on a low-term basis. Students must enroll on at least a half-time basis in order to receive a Federal Perkins Loan. Information about the loan fund administered at Nicholls may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (SEOG) are available to a limited number of students with exceptional financial need who require these grants to attend college. Students must receive a Federal Pell Grant in order to be considered for an SEOG.
The LEVERAGING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (LEAP) program is available to Louisiana residents attending eligible institutions in Louisiana including Nicholls. LEAPs are awarded to a limited number of students with exceptional financial need who maintain a 2.0 grade-point average. The value ranges from $200 to $1,500 per year. In order to be eligible for LEAP, students must enroll full-time. Applications are submitted to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance through the Financial Aid Office.
Private and University Sources [ Top of Page ]
A wide variety of individuals and private organizations, including corporations, foundations, churches and community groups, offer financial assistance to students in the form of scholarships. Upon graduation, students may also receive financial assistance through their secondary schools (see the SCHOLARSHIPS section of this Bulletin).
Students with a disability may qualify for financial assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation.
Nicholls State University also allocates a large percentage of its funds to scholarships and student employment.
Determining the Family Contribution [ Top of Page ]
The only way to know for certain how much a student will pay in personal funds to attend Nicholls is to apply for financial aid.
Because financial aid is intended as a supplement to the family's resources, the student and his or her family will be expected to contribute as much as they can afford toward educational expenses. In almost all cases, the student will be expected to contribute from summer earnings toward expenses.
Determining how much a family can pay toward college expenses is a complicated process that involves much more than looking at family income. Normally three major factors determine the family's ability to pay for college: income, family size, and number of children in college. The expected family contribution is determined by applying the federal formula to the information that is listed on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This process is a function of the Federal Processing Center, not the Nicholls Office of Financial Aid.
Families ineligible for aid the first year may be eligible in future years if family circumstances change - for example, when another child enters college.
Applying for Financial Aid [ Top of Page ]
When applying for financial aid at Nicholls the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form detailing information about the family's financial circumstances.
Upon receipt of the completed form, the Federal Processing Center makes a thorough evaluation of the family's financial strength and, using a federally mandated formula, provides an estimate of the amount the family can contribute toward educational expenses, the expected family contribution. A Student Aid Report (SAR) is forwarded to each applicant, and an electronic SAR is forwarded to each institution the student lists on the FAFSA. The student must provide any material or supporting documentation (such as copies of tax returns) if requested by the Financial Aid Office as soon as it is requested. Failure to do so will result in aid being delayed.
Application for admission must be filed before financial aid applications can be processed by the Financial Aid Office. Delaying applying for admission will delay a student's aid from being processed.
A student should complete the FAFSA. To be considered for priority processing, a student must submit his or her Student Aid Report to the Financial Aid Office by April 8, 2005, for the Fall 2005 semester and October 31, 2005, for the Spring 2006 semester.
Forms used in applying for aid are available after January 1, 2005, in high school guidance offices and at the Nicholls Financial Aid Office.
Students should ask the high school guidance counselor about community, foundation and other private scholarships. Veterans should also ask about Veterans Administration benefits to determine eligibility. The Nicholls coordinator may be consulted at 985-449 7133. Applicants should supply any material or supporting documentation (such as copies of tax returns) if requested by the Financial Aid Office.
Transfer students must submit an academic transcript. Transfer students must be maintaining satisfactory progress as defined by the Nicholls Office of Financial Aid in order to be eligible to receive financial aid at Nicholls. The Financial Aid Office can provide additional information.
Notification of Award [ Top of Page ]
A financial aid decision will be made and the student notified only after he or she is admitted to Nicholls and the financial aid application is complete. If the student is awarded aid, the decision will be in the form of a financial aid award statement, which includes the total amount of the student's award; a breakdown of the award by its "package" components: grants, loan and employment; a summary of the analysis of the student's financial need; and the assumptions on which the award was made. Students awarded aid have one week from the date on the award statement to notify the University whether they intend to accept all or any part of the offer of assistance.
Rules and regulations governing federal financial aid programs are developed by the federal government and Nicholls. They are subject to change as necessary, and changes can apply to both prospective and currently enrolled students at the time of the change.
Scholarships [ Top of Page ]
Academic Scholarships
PRESIDENT'S SCHOLARSHIP
The
President’s Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students with
an overall high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 30
(or the ACT score which ranks in the top 3% of Nicholls’ scores
from the previous year). The award is for a maximum period of four
years, provided funding is available and the student maintains
full-time status and a minimum 3.0 semester GPA. This scholarship is
valued at tuition, room rent, plus a $200 stipend each regular
semester with an approximate monetary value of $22,500.00 over a
four-year period. This award also includes an option for campus
employment.
STATE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
Nicholls
will award this scholarship, with a monetary value of more than
$20,000 over a four-year period, to outstanding Louisiana residents
with an overall high school GPA of at least 3.0, a minimum ACT of 24
and one letter of recommendation from a high school principal or
teacher. The award is for a maximum period of four years, provided
funding is available and the student maintains full-time status and a
minimum 3.0 semester GPA. This award is valued at the cost of tuition
per academic year. This scholarship includes a room rent scholarship.
This award also includes an option for campus employment. Five of the
scholarships will be reserved for outstanding minority students.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Nicholls
will award this scholarship to outstanding Louisiana residents with
an overall high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 24.
This award is for a maximum period of four years, provided funding is
available and the student maintains full-time status and a minimum
3.0 semester GPA. This award is valued at $2,000 per academic year or
$8,000 over a four-year period.
NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP
Nicholls
will award this scholarship to outstanding Louisiana residents with
an overall high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 24.
This award is for a maximum period of four years, provided funding is
available and the student maintains full-time status and a minimum
3.0 semester GPA. This award is valued at $1,600 per academic year or
$6,400 over a four year period.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP
Nicholls
will award this scholarship to outstanding Louisiana residents with
an overall high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 22.
This award is for a maximum period of four years, provided funding is
available and the student maintains full-time status and a minimum
3.0 semester GPA. This award is valued at $1,000 per academic year or
$4,000 over a four-year period.
VALEDICTORIAN SCHOLARSHIP
Nicholls
will award this scholarship to all valedictorians from accredited
high schools in the following parishes: Lafourche, Terrebonne, St.
Mary, Assumption, Ascension, St. Charles, St. James and Jefferson.
Valedictorians from other parishes will be considered on a case by
case basis. This award is valued at $1,000 per semester for one year.
To maintain the scholarship, the recipient must enroll as a full-time
student and complete each semester as a full-time student with a
minimum 3.0 semester GPA.
Scholarships for Student
Leaders
Prospective
students who can demonstrate a high level of leadership and
involvement in student activities in high school may apply for a
special group of scholarships described in the following pages: the
A+ Leadership awards, the NSU Alumni Federation Scholar/Leader Award,
and the Student Government Association Leadership scholarships.
Rockefeller State Wildlife
Scholarship
Rockefeller
State Wildlife Scholarships are awarded to U.S. citizens who live in
Louisiana. Applicants must be enrolled and accepted as full time
students in courses of study leading to a graduate or undergraduate
degrees in forestry, wildlife or marine science from a Louisiana
state college or university. Applicants must have taken the ACT and
have graduated or will graduate from high school with not less than a
2.5 cumulative grade-point average in the six semesters of grades 9
through 11. Applicants must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative
grade-point average after 24 semester hours of college course work.
Applicants must not be in default of an educational loans nor owe
repayments on educational grants or scholarships.
Study Abroad Scholarships
The
governments of France, Belgium, and Canada, in conjunction with
CODOFIL, offer scholarships for summer sessions and full year
study programs in French speaking countries. Consult the
Department of Languages and Literature for additional information.
TUITION OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS (TOPS)
TOPS
is a comprehensive program of state scholarships. The TOPS components
available to Nicholls students include the Opportunity Award, the
Performance Award, and the Honors Award. To apply for a TOPS award
one must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
which can be obtained from the Nicholls State University Financial
Aid Office or the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The award
must be renewed every year by submitting a FAFSA form or a renewal
FAFSA. For more information please call Nicholls Financial Aid Office
at (985) 448-4411 or the Office of Student Financial Assistance at
1-800-259-5626/www.osfa.state.la.us.
Other Scholarships
Students
may be eligible for privately funded scholarships once they are
enrolled. Available scholarships are posted in the Financial Aid
Lobby and are e-mailed to all faculty, staff, and student e-mail
accounts on campus. The largest advertisement will be the first two
weeks of every regular semester. The applications are available in
the Financial Aid Office.