Financial Aid

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at Baton Rouge Community College is available to assist those students who have difficulty meeting the cost of attending the college. Although the primary responsibility for financing an education rests with the student and the immediate family, it is recognized that many students will require additional assistance in order to finance their educational goals. Baton Rouge Community College, through Financial Aid and Scholarships, offers financial assistance based on documented financial need to those students who would otherwise not be able to attend the College. Priority is given to students with the greatest documented need whose complete applications are received by the priority dates.

Federal Aid Programs

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Academic Competitiveness Grant
• Federal Work Study

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a student financial aid program designed to assist students in pursuing their undergraduate degree. The purpose of the Pell Grant is to provide eligible students with a "foundation" of financial aid to help defray the cost of post secondary education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to process the Pell Grant. A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to the applicant. All three (3) parts of the SAR must immediately be submitted to Financial Aid and Scholarships in order to determine the actual amount of the Federal Pell Grant award. Full awards are based on a minimum of 12 hours. Students taking between 9-11 hours will be awarded on a three-quarter basis. Those taking 6-8 hours will be awarded on a half-time basis. Students enrolled for less than half-time should contact Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information. Students enrolled as undergraduates but who already have a bachelor's degree are not eligible.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The purpose of the FSEOG Program is to provide grants to students who demonstrate a calculated financial need. Students enrolled as undergraduates but who have already received a bachelor's degree are not eligible. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (six semester hours or more).

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for the first time for the 2006-2007 academic year for first-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are receiving a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
The College Work-Study program is a Federal Campus based aid program. The College Work-Study program provides jobs for students who have documented financial need and who wish to earn part of their educational expenses while they are attending school. Jobs average 15 hours per week and range from clerical worker to research assistant to community service. Generally, work hours are flexible enough to accommodate students' academic schedules. Students working in the College Work-Study program should be aware that they are generally paid on a bi-monthly basis. The first paycheck is available after the student has worked for one month. Students who meet the application deadline for campus programs and are eligible to participate in the College Work-Study program are notified of their eligibility. The rate of pay is determined by the prevailing minimum wage rate. A student must be enrolled at least half- time (six semester hours or more).

Student Employment
On campus employment is available in various BRCC departments. Applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

State Aid Programs
Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS)
Louisiana’s Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a comprehensive program of state scholarships managed through Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
Students qualifying for the TOPTEC award must be enrolled in a technical program.  The Associate of Applied Science with concentrations in Process Technology, Business and or the Business Certificate are considered technical programs at Baton Rouge Community College.  View LOSFA’s website at www.osfa.state.la.us  for eligibility and renewal requirements for each award.To apply for TOPS, the student should complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov or the TOPS On-line Application at www.osfa.state.la.us. The FAFSA must be completed by students who qualify for federal grant aid, or by students who are seeking other forms of financial aid.  The TOPS On-line application may only be completed by students who can certify that they do not qualify for federal grant aid. In the event of a budget shortfall, students completing the TOPS On-line Application in lieu of the FAFSA will be the first to lose their TOPS award.To speak to a representative, call Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) at
(800) 259-5626 Ext. 1012 or in Baton Rouge 225-922-1012, or
E-mail LOSFA at   custserv@osfa.state.la.us, or write LOSFA at P.O. Box 91202, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-9202

Go Grant
The Louisiana Go Grant is a need-based financial aid program aimed at making college more affordable for students from moderate- and low-income families. Louisiana resident students who are eligible for and receive the federal Pell Grant may also be eligible for a Go Grant. The grant helps cover the difference between the actual cost of attending a public or private college in Louisiana and the amount of a student’s Pell Grant award.
In order to be eligible for a Louisiana GO Grant, a student must:

1. Be a LA resident as of date of the FAFSA filing, and a
2. First Time Freshman (of any age) OR 25 years of age or older not having enrolled in a credit bearing course for at least one year, and
3. Receiving a Federal Pell Grant.
4. Have no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations.
5. Be enrolled in a Certificate or Degree seeking undergraduate program through the 14th class day.

Financial need criteria
Financial need is based on information reported on the FAFSA. Student must have an Education Cost Gap (ECG) greater than zero.
Annual Award amount

$2,000	Full-time students
$1,000	Half-time students
$500	less than Half-time students

Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP)
Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federal program that provides need-based grants to academically qualified students. 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.
LEAP applicants must meet all of the following:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or national or eligible noncitizen; and
2. Register with Selective Service, if required; and
3. Be a resident of Louisiana for at least one year prior to July 1 of the award year.
4. Annually submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA by the deadline set by the school; and
5. 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
6. Be selected and certified by the school for receipt of a LEAP Award, contingent upon final approval by LOSFA; and
7. Meet any additional selection criteria established by the individual institution participating in the LEAP Program; and
8. Be certified as a full-time undergraduate student in an eligible program at an eligible postsecondary institution; and
9. Have substantial financial need of at least $199; and
10. 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
11. Not have a criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations; and
12. Agree that the award proceeds will be used exclusively for educational expenses; and
13. Not be in default of an educational loan.

Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (SLEAP)
Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (SLEAP) is an additional component of the LEAP Program. To participate in the SLEAP Program, a state must also participate in the LEAP Program.  SLEAP awards are used to supplement LEAP awards by increasing LEAP program grant award amounts for students.

Other Institutional Assistance
American Indian Students
If you are an enrolled member of an American Indian tribe you may be eligible for financial assistance through your tribe or through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. If you can verify your Indian ancestry and acquire a tribal membership, you may also be eligible for assistance.

Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational Rehabilitation has several educational assistance programs for disabled persons designed to equalize employment opportunities for those persons who, because of accident, disease or congenital deformity, have an impairment that constitutes a barrier to employment or preparation for it. For detailed information concerning these programs, contact the Office of Rehabilitation Services, 3651 Cedarcrest Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.