Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Baton Rouge, LA
How students pay for Louisiana State University
Sticker price $35,774 a year. After grants, the average student pays $19,286, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $14,670 to $27,239.
- 73%admitted
- 30,594undergraduates
- 68%graduate
- 75%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $29,228 a year versus $12,551 for Louisiana residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
75%grant from Louisiana State Universityavg $7,573
33%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,482
61%state grantavg $7,181
37%federal student loanavg $5,569
Scholarships from Louisiana State University
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Merit Scholarship (Louisiana residents)$500 to $4,600 a year, plus any TOPS award
Admitted Louisiana-resident freshmen, chosen by holistic review of grades, test scores (if sent) and the application.
- Merit Scholarship (non-Louisiana residents)$13,000 to $23,000 a year
Admitted out-of-state freshmen, chosen by holistic review of grades, test scores (if sent) and the application.
- Stamps ScholarshipFull cost of attendance for four years (about $33,000 a year in-state, $50,000 out-of-state), plus up to $14,000 for enrichment and a $1,100 laptop stipend
Top freshman applicants invited to compete after review; semifinalists send an essay and resume and finalists interview at Scholar Days.
- Chancellor's Alumni Scholars AwardFull cost of attendance for four years (about $33,000 a year in-state, $50,000 out-of-state), plus a $2,000 study abroad stipend
Freshmen with elite academics, leadership and service, selected through the same competition as Stamps.
- Transfer student scholarships (legacy, major-specific, need-based)
Regularly admitted transfer students; awarded until funds run out.
- Academic senior college scholarshipsVaries by college
Entering and current students majoring in a specific LSU college; the admission application counts for entering students.
Priority FAFSA deadline: December 15 (priority for the following academic year); July 1 to qualify for TOPS.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Louisiana
Louisiana GO Grant
$300 to $3,000 a year; the exact amount is set by your college from its yearly state allocation
Who qualifies: Louisiana residents who receive a federal Pell Grant, still have unmet financial need, and are enrolled at least half-time at an eligible Louisiana college.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA every year, then ask your college's financial aid office how it awards the grant.
Official rules →State grant · Louisiana
TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)
Opportunity Award pays tuition at a Louisiana public college at that school's 2016–17 tuition level, unless the Legislature raises it; students at private LAICU colleges get a weighted-average amount
Who qualifies: Louisiana residents who complete the TOPS core curriculum with at least a 2.50 core GPA and an ACT composite of at least 20 (or the prior year's state average if higher), and enroll full-time.
How: File the FAFSA (or the TOPS Online Application) by 1 February of senior year for priority; the final deadline for the full award is 1 July after the first anniversary of high-school graduation.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Baton Rouge
| Studio | $980/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,000/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $570/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 70803. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Louisiana
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 6 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage applies. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$19,500median federal debt≈ $222/month over 10 years
$64,338median earnings10 years after enrolling
68%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Louisiana State University
What scholarships does Louisiana State University offer?
Merit Scholarship (Louisiana residents) ($500 to $4,600 a year, plus any TOPS award); Merit Scholarship (non-Louisiana residents) ($13,000 to $23,000 a year); Stamps Scholarship (Full cost of attendance for four years (about $33,000 a year in-state, $50,000 out-of-state), plus up to $14,000 for enrichment and a $1,100 laptop stipend); Chancellor's Alumni Scholars Award (Full cost of attendance for four years (about $33,000 a year in-state, $50,000 out-of-state), plus a $2,000 study abroad stipend); Transfer student scholarships (legacy, major-specific, need-based) (Not published). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Louisiana State University really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $19,286 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $14,670 to $27,239. The full cost of attendance before aid is $35,774.
Does Louisiana State University give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 75% of first-year students received a grant from Louisiana State University itself, averaging $7,573. 33% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,482).
How much is rent near Louisiana State University?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (70803) is $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,140 for a two-bedroom, about $570 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Louisiana State University?
Yes. The minimum wage in Louisiana is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do Louisiana State University graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $19,500, about $222 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $64,338.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. How these pages work.
More in Louisiana: All colleges in Louisiana →