Go Grant
The Louisiana Go Grant is a new, need-based state grant for students for the 2007-2008 award year. The Go Grant is aimed at bridging the gap between the amount of financial aid a student is awarded through the Federal Pell Grant program and the actual cost of attending a Louisiana college or university. A student must meet specific program requirements to be eligible to receive this grant.
To be eligible for the Go Grant, a student must:
- Be a Louisiana resident as reported on the FAFSA (Louisiana is the true, fixed, and permanent home of residence.);
- Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient during the same semester the Go Grant is awarded;
- Be enrolled as a first-time freshman for the Summer 2007 semester, the Fall 2007 semester, or thereafter, or be aged 25* or older and not have enrolled in a college or university in credit bearing courses for at least one academic year (two consecutive regular semesters or three consecutive regular quarters);
- Have an Education Cost Gap (ECG) greater than zero as determined by the ECG formula;
- Be enrolled as a certificate or degree seeking undergraduate student at a Louisiana public or private college or university;
- Meet satisfactory academic progress standards;
- Not have a criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations;
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program through the 14th class day.
*A student’s age is calculated by subtracting his or her birth year from the academic begin year that he begins college enrollment. For example, a student who is born in 1983 and who enrolls in college during the 2007-2008 academic year (Fall 2007 or Spring 2008) is 24 [2007 (academic begin year) – 1983 (birth year) = 24] for purposes of the Go Grant.
Education Cost Gap (ECG) Formula
The Education Cost Gap must be greater than zero. The ECG formula is as follows:
$3,595 - tuition and mandatory fees, as defined by the Board of Regents
plus
$2,000 - textbooks, supplies, materials and other related education expenses
minus
student’s full-time, full-year Federal Pell Grant award amount
equals
Education Cost Gap
Maximum Allowable Award Amounts
The maximum annual award amounts are determined by the student’s enrollment status. Eligible students may receive the following award amounts:
Full-Time [12 or more hours] $2,000 for the year ($1,000 per semester)
1/2 to 3/4 Time [6-11 hours] $1,000 for the year ($500 per semester)
Less-Than-Half-Time [< 6 hours] $500 for the year ($250 per semester)
The maximum total lifetime award amount for any student is $10,000.
Additional Requirements
- The Go Grant is a need-based award, so the Go Grant award counts towards fulfilling a student’s overall need. A student cannot be overawarded when he or she receives a Go Grant. Adjustments of award amounts may be necessary if the amount of the Go Grant, when combined with a student’s other awards and expected family contribution, exceed the student’s cost of attendance.
- The amount of the Go Grant is based on the enrollment status the student indicated on his or her Student Aid Report. Please be aware that a student’s enrollment status is not official until after the 14th class day for regular semesters (7th class day for summer sessions). If a student adds or drops classes on or before the 14th (or 7th) class day, the Go Grant award amount may be increased or decreased.