Student Loans in Louisiana
Louisiana's TOPS scholarship covers tuition at eligible Louisiana public colleges for students meeting GPA and ACT requirements — one of the more generous state merit programs in the South. Go Grants provide need-based supplemental aid. Louisiana's in-state tuition at LSU, Tulane (private), and UNO varies significantly; TOPS applies to public institutions.
Louisiana at a glance
Population
4.6M
U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2025 estimate
Editorial note — Louisiana
Louisiana students aiming for TOPS should verify they're enrolled at a TOPS-eligible institution — the program only applies to eligible Louisiana colleges. LOSFA at lacollegeaid.la.gov is the authoritative source for eligibility and current award amounts.
Louisiana state student aid authority
The state higher-ed authority, state grants and scholarships, and federal-first guidance for Louisiana students.
Primary regulator
Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA)
Administers Louisiana state financial aid including the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship and Go Grants.
State aid authority website ↗State aid authority scope
Administers Louisiana state financial aid including the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship and Go Grants.
Federal-first: Federal student aid (studentaid.gov) is the authoritative source for Pell Grants, federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, income-driven repayment, and loan forgiveness programs (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness). Exhaust all federal options before private loans. studentaid.gov
What to know before taking private student loans in Louisiana
Private student loans should only be used after exhausting federal loans and state grants. These are the factors that determine total cost.
Federal loans first
Always apply for federal student loans at studentaid.gov before private. Federal loans offer income-driven repayment, deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness options (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness) that private loans never match.
State grants and scholarships
Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) administers state-specific grants and scholarships. These are free money — exhaust them before any borrowing.
APR (variable vs. fixed)
Private student loan APRs can be fixed or variable. Variable rates may start lower but carry risk if rates rise during repayment. Fixed rates provide payment predictability across a 5–20 year term.
Cosigner requirement and release
Most private student loans require a creditworthy cosigner for undergraduate borrowers. Verify whether the lender offers cosigner release after a specified payment period — this matters for your cosigner's credit.
Deferment and forbearance options
Private lenders vary widely on in-school deferment, grace periods, and hardship forbearance. Federal loans provide much stronger protections — model your post-graduation income before choosing a private repayment term.
Total cost, not just monthly payment
A 20-year private loan term reduces monthly payments but substantially increases total interest paid. Compare total repayment cost across term options — a 10-year term typically costs far less overall.
Compare private student loan picks for Louisiana students
Ranked by APR, cosigner release policy, and repayment flexibility. Federal loans first — always.
Student loans in Louisiana — common questions
What is the TOPS scholarship in Louisiana? +
TOPS covers tuition at eligible Louisiana public colleges for students meeting GPA and ACT minimums. Visit lacollegeaid.la.gov for current award levels and eligibility.
Should I take federal or private student loans in Louisiana? +
Exhaust federal loans, TOPS, and Go Grants before any private loan. Federal loans offer income-driven repayment and forgiveness. Apply at studentaid.gov first.
Does Louisiana have a student loan forgiveness program? +
Louisiana does not have a broad state forgiveness program. Louisiana public employees and teachers may qualify for federal PSLF and Teacher Loan Forgiveness — see studentaid.gov.
Does TOPS apply to private Louisiana colleges? +
TOPS generally applies to eligible Louisiana public colleges. Some private institutions are eligible — verify the specific college's TOPS eligibility at lacollegeaid.la.gov.
How do I compare private student loans in Louisiana? +
After TOPS, Go Grants, and federal loans, compare private lenders on APR, repayment, and deferment. LOSFA at lacollegeaid.la.gov is the authoritative state aid resource.
Need a private student loan in Louisiana?
After exhausting federal loans and state grants, we rank private student loan lenders against our published methodology by APR, cosigner release, and repayment flexibility. Federal-first is non-negotiable — private loans forfeit income-driven repayment and PSLF eligibility.
Compare private student loan options →ClearValue Lending is an independent editorial platform. Some links are affiliate links — see disclosure below. Rankings are based on editorial criteria, not compensation. This page is not financial aid advice. Always exhaust federal student aid options at studentaid.gov before private loans.
Sources
- Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) — Official Website ↗
- Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) ↗ — federal loan programs, Pell Grants, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs
- U.S. Census Bureau ↗ — July 1, 2025 population estimates
Editorial disclaimer: This page provides general educational information about student loans and state financial aid in Louisiana. It is not financial aid advice. State aid program details were accurate as of May 22, 2026. Verify current state aid program terms directly with Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) and federal aid options at studentaid.gov before borrowing. Scored against ClearValue's published methodology. Updated May 2026.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. ClearValue Lending may earn a commission at no cost to you. Rankings are based on editorial criteria, not compensation. See our full advertiser disclosure for details.