Office of Development

Scholarships

College of Education Scholarships | Department of Kinesiology Scholarships

The future of Louisiana depends greatly upon the quality of higher education provided to its young people.  Financing higher education, however, has become an increasingly challenging task as costs have risen over the years. A result is that tuition rates and other student expenses have trended steadily up in recent decades.

For students who are residents of Louisiana, the state now provides an outstanding program of support: the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). Under this program, qualifying students receive funds for full tuition and, in some cases, additional funds for other expenses. This program applies to most Louisiana students admitted to LSU because of LSU’s high admission standards.

Many students still need funds for other expenses, which can be supported in part by scholarships. The LSU Foundation manages more than 600 scholarship funds that were created by private donations. The scholarship awards provide vital supplements to the TOPS awards, making it possible for many students to attend LSU and pursue a degree without incurring major debts.

Privately-funded scholarships are even more important for non-resident students who must pay higher tuition and do not receive TOPS awards. A goal of the LSU administration is to attract more well-qualified students from other states, many of whom remain in Louisiana to pursue their careers.

Scholarships and fellowships for graduate students are also priority goals for LSU. Funding for graduate students attracts the best scholars from around the nation and the world. These individuals fill key positions in the research and teaching mission that characterizes LSU’s status as a research-extensive university.

This document provides basic information on the establishment of scholarship and fellowship funds within the LSU Foundation, with particular emphasis on the opportunities to create named endowments for these purposes.

A donor may create a special scholarship fund that is named for the donor or in honor or memory of someone.  This category of scholarship fund may also be restricted in accordance with the donor’s preferences regarding the student’s academic major, academic qualifications, financial need, residence, or other criteria. Restrictions may not be made that benefit only a specific individual, that apply only to a relative of the donor, or that would cause illegal discrimination.

The academic qualifications generally require a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and ACT score of 23.  Financial need is determined by the Office of Student Aid and Scholarships. Most admitted students who are residents of Louisiana qualify for the state’s TOPS program, which covers tuition. Awards from named scholarships provide additional financial support for books and living expenses.

Students who do not qualify for TOPS may need financial assistance for tuition fees as well as room and board, books, transportation, and other expenses. The total expenses for a non-resident student currently average about $10,000 to $15,000 a year, depending on housing selection and other factors.

The minimum endowment for a named scholarship is $10,000, and funds of $12,500 or more are recommended. The estimated annual awards from endowed funds of various endowments are illustrated below.

Named scholarship awards may be made to two or more students at the same time, depending on the size of the endowment and the amount of each award. Examples:

Endowment

Estimated Annual Awards

$25,000

$500 each for two students

$50,000

$1,000 each for two students

$100,000

$1,000 each for four students

Actual amounts of awards may vary with financial market conditions, the growth of the endowed principal over time, and related factors. (See explanation of endowed funds below.)

As a research extensive university, LSU places a high priority on attracting qualified graduate students to its wide range of programs for advanced degrees. Scholarship support for graduate students may be funded by endowments similar to those for undergraduate scholarships, starting at a recommended minimum endowment of $15,000. Annual scholarship awards are especially beneficial for graduate students who are not eligible for TOPS and who incur added expenses for their research work, including materials, equipment and travel.

A donor may also create and name an endowment for a full graduate fellowship, which requires a contribution of $500,000 or more. Qualifying fellowships, with the approval of the University, may also include a waiver of tuition and other benefits.  Further details are available on request.

Athletic scholarships are reserved for student athletes who participate in LSU’s intercollegiate sports programs. Student athletes must achieve their initial academic eligibility requirements and must maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree requirements as established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Endowment for athletic scholarship…………$75,000

Donors who create scholarship endowments may name the scholarship which becomes an enduring form of recognition. The endowments become permanent assets of the LSU Foundation and will always be identified by the designated name. Every scholarship award made to students from the fund will be made in that name.

An endowment is a permanent account maintained within the assets managed for the benefit of the University. An endowment fund is permanent because the principal amount is never spent. Only earnings from investment of the principal may be expended for the designated purpose. Endowed funds are regarded as important commitments to the donors and key assets for the financial future of the University. The LSU Foundation serves as trustee for most LSU endowments, ensuring that the assets are protected and the donor’s intentions are fulfilled.

Endowments require a written agreement between the donor and the LSU Foundation with respect to the purpose of the fund. Earnings from the Foundation’s investments are allocated to each fund annually, following the close of the Foundation’s fiscal year on June 30, and are available for expenditure thereafter. Several methods of creating endowments are explained below.

An endowed account may be established with a single contribution and a signed agreement with the LSU Foundation stating the purpose and restrictions (if any) on the use of the fund. The minimum required to open an endowed account is a gift or pledge of $10,000.

An endowed account may be established with a single contribution and a signed agreement with the LSU Foundation stating the purpose and restrictions (if any) on the use of the fund. The minimum required to open an endowed account is a gift or pledge of $10,000.

A current scholarship can be arranged as an on-time award only, or may be extended over a period of years.  For example, a donation of $5,000 could be awarded to a student at the rate of $1,250 a year for four years.

 Another alternative is for the donor to pledge a fixed amount to be contributed annually, and that amount is awarded to the selected student. Such a pledge may be for a set number of years or for an indefinite period.  This form of financing often works well for companies and individual donors who prefer to budget annual contributions rather than make the initial investments to create an endowed fund. Current scholarship funds may also be enhanced by corporate matching gifts

 A brief written agreement is also required for current scholarship funds. The agreement generally includes the terms of the donor’s pledge for future contributions.

Once an endowed account is created, it may be supplemented at any time by additional contributions. In this way, endowments may be enhanced over time to increase the earnings and thus the amounts of the awards to students.

Whenever corporate matching gift programs are available to donors, they provide powerful enhancements to scholarship funds. Many companies match employee gifts on a dollar for dollar basis, thus doubling the amount given. Some companies even offer two-to-one or three-to- matches, within certain annual limitations.

Named scholarship funds may also be created on a current (non-endowed), basis, which means that all of the donated funds may be expended.

A non-endowed scholarship can be arranged as a one-time award only, or may be extended over a period of years. For example, a donation of $5,000 could be awarded to a student at the rate of $1,250 a year for four years.