BPCC provides equal educational opportunities for all students, and the policy of equal opportunity is fully implemented in all programs. All financial aid is administered by the Financial Aid Office and Business Office.
Students can apply for financial aid from a variety of sources to meet their educational expenses. This aid is based on need and/or merit. Students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to receive federal financial aid. Awards are limited to students enrolled in degree, eligible technical diploma, or certificate programs at BPCC. Students enrolled in Career and Technical Certificate (CTCs) are not eligible for federal aid. All financial aid applicants must be accepted for admission to BPCC before aid will be processed. Financial aid will not be processed for students admitted provisionally. “Summer only” (visiting) students are not eligible for aid.
Students seeking assistance from federal financial aid programs must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen.
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Be properly admitted or currently enrolled in a degree seeking or certificate program at BPCC.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in an eligible course of study in accordance with the College’s guidelines.
- Must sign a statement, which is located on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that states federal student aid funds will be used only for educational purposes.
- Must not be in default on a federal student loan nor owe a refund on a federal student grant.
- Must register with the Selective Service, if required.
Applying for Financial Aid is a lengthy process. The entire process could take up to 90 days. In order to have your financial aid processed in time for registration/fee payment, you must submit ALL requested documents according to the following deadlines.
| Priority Deadlines for federal financial aid (grants and loans) |
Priority Deadlines for scholarships |
| Fall: |
April 1 |
Fall: |
March 31 |
| Spring: |
October 1 |
Spring: |
October 1 |
If you are unable to meet these deadlines, be prepared to self-pay your tuition and fees. The Financial Aid Office can assist all students with information on programs and with the appropriate forms.
| TYPE: |
FEDERAL PELL GRANT |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Undergraduate students demonstrating need by the Federal Pell Grant formula |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
1. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid
2. Submit required documents to the Financial Aid Office. |
| AMOUNT: |
$7,395 annually (2025-2026) The amount you get, though, will depend on:
- your Student Aid Index
- the cost of attendance (determined by your school for your specific program),
- your status as a full-time, part-time, half-time, or less that half-time student,
- your plans to attend school for all academic year or less.
|
| DEADLINE: |
Three months prior to semester attending |
| TYPE: |
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG) |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Undergraduate students whose need analysis exhibits excessive need. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Same as Federal Pell Grant |
| AMOUNT: |
Varies, generally $900 annually. |
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) offers an integrated and comprehensive range of services consisting of workforce development activities benefiting employers, job seekers, and communities by providing individuals with barriers to employment the access to employment, education, and training opportunities along with access to support services needed to succeed in the labor market. Apply online at https://cdconline.org/wioa-pre-app. WIOA requires an applicant be approved before the first day of their course.
Work-Study
| TYPE: |
FEDERAL WORK STUDY |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
1. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
2. Submit required documents to Financial Aid Office or Inceptia.
3. Complete employment application in Career Services Office. |
| AMOUNT: |
$10 on-campus and $12 off-campus, up to 20 hours employment per week; paid bi-weekly. |
State Programs
| TYPE: |
TOPS SCHOLARSHIP |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Must be full-time student who meets specific eligibility and special criteria.
Louisiana high school graduate. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
See high school counselor. Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Deadline: May 1 priority; July 1, final state deadline. |
| AMOUNT: |
Tuition. Some students may qualify for additional stipends based on ACT score and high school GPA. |
TYPE: M.J. Foster Promise Program
Eligibility: Students seeking programs to earn credentials in high-demand, high-income program areas in industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, and transportation and logistics.
How to apply: Complete the application on LOSFA at https://www.osfa.la.gov:8181/AwardSystemADF/faces/common/pages/UIShell.jsf?fosterpromiseonlineapp=true
Amount: All M.J. Foster Promise Award payments are contingent upon funding availability and are allocated as outlined above on a first-come, first-billed basis. The M.J. Foster Promise Program will cover the cost of tuition, required fees, and mandatory books and supplies after all other sources of aid have been applied (excluding student loans, federal work study, and WIOA funds).
The award amount of $3,200 per award year or $1,600 per semester, is for a student enrolled full time. Students can receive a maximum of $6,400 over a period of 3 years. A student may receive the maximum award amount of $6,400 in one year for certain high-cost programs. Students can use the M.J. Foster Promise Award beginning July 1 through the following June 30.
TYPE: Louisiana Go Grant
Eligibility: The purpose of this program is to provide a need-based component to the state’s financial aid plan to support nontraditional students (age 25 and older) and low to moderate-income students who need additional aid to afford the cost of attending college. Funding is limited.
How to apply: The college will award eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is exhausted.
Amount: Up to student’s cost of attendance (COA) with an annual maximum award of $1,500
TYPE: Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
Eligibility: The Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program awards $5,000 per academic year to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have been in the foster care system to assist in offsetting the costs of postsecondary education.
How to Apply: Contact the financial aid office if you:
- Be ages 14-25; not have attained the age of 26;
- Be in the foster care system, aged out of the foster care system, exited the foster care system through legal guardianship or adoption after attaining the age of 16, or was in the foster care system after the age of 14 and exited for reasons other than adoption, guardianship, or aging out; and
- Be enrolled in postsecondary education; and
- Annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Amount: $5,000 per academic year
TYPE: Patriot Scholarship Program
Eligibility: A scholarship that pays required fees for members of the Louisiana National Guard who qualify for the National Guard tuition exemption.
How to apply: Submit the VA enrollment form at https://forms.office.com/r/78GXHLzy7g
Amount: Varies. The program covers mandatory enrollment fees only.
Type: Go Youth Challenge Program
Eligibility: A program that provides tuition aid for students who graduate from or complete course credit recovery through the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth ChalleNGe Program
How to apply: Contact the financial aid office.
Amount: Tuition only.
Type: BESE Tuition Program for Teachers
Eligibility: The BESE Tuition Program for Teachers is a program that allows teachers to enroll in courses at Louisiana colleges and universities at the state’s expense. Teachers selected into the program will have their course tuition paid directly to the postsecondary school by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). The LDOE runs a competitive process three times a year aligned to the fall, spring, and summer semesters to select program participants.
How to apply: Contact Holly French-Hart, Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness, at 318-678-6132
Amount: Varies
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Tuition and fees may be paid for eligible students with disabilities such as diabetes, lupus, orthopedic problems, sickle cell anemia, mental health problems, substance abuse, etc. However, additional services such as books and transportation are based on economic need. Apply at the State Office Building, 152 5 Fairfield Ave. # 70 8 , Shreveport, LA 7110 1-438 8 or call 318 -676-7155 or 8 0 0 -737-2 966 for information.
Scholarships
The BPCC Foundation provides additional financial assistance to students through its scholarship program. Review a full list of available scholarships at https://www.bpccfoundation.org/ .
Waivers/Exemptions
| TYPE: |
ATHLETIC WAIVER |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Academically qualified and participating in varsity sports. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Contact Athletic Department. |
| AMOUNT: |
Varies |
| TYPE: |
NATIONAL GUARD WAIVER |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Active members of the Louisiana National Guard. Student must not be on academic probation or suspension. Student must have at least 2.000 cumulative GPA. Student must declare a degree in order to utilize the tuition waiver. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Contact National Guard Unit Commander. |
| AMOUNT: |
Tuition, no fees. |
| TYPE: |
LOUISIANA STATE DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS TITLE 29 EXEMPTION |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Students whose veteran parent has a 90-100% service connected disability through the VA or is rated as unemployable. Children and spouses may be eligible if the veteran has died of a service connected disability and was a resident of the state of Louisiana.
Student must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and be full time.
|
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Contact the state or parish Department of Veterans Affairs officer. |
| AMOUNT: |
Tuition, some mandatory fees, and all course fees are exempt. |
| TYPE: |
STUDENT SERVICE/TALENT WAIVER |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Students awarded scholarships based on talent are selected by auditions or tryouts, which have been publicized and are supervised by the faculty advisor. All talent-based scholarship awards are monitored by the Director of Student Life. Must be full-time student and maintain 2.000 GPA. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
https://www.bpcc.edu/current-students/student-life/tuition-waivers |
Loans
| TYPE: |
FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Need eligibility must be established by the BPCC Financial Aid Office. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Submit required documents to Financial Aid Office. |
| AMOUNT: |
Dependent Students
Direct Loan Annual loan limit
Freshman $5,500 (no more than $3,500 may be subsidized)
Sophomore $6,500 (no more than $4,500 may be subsidized)
Independent Students
Direct Loan Annual loan limit
Freshman $9,500 (no more than $3,500 may be subsidized)
Sophomore $10,500 (no more than $4,500 may be subsidized)
|
| TYPE: |
FEDERAL PLUS |
| ELIGIBILITY: |
Parents of dependent students. |
| HOW TO APPLY: |
Student completes Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Parent completes PLUS pre-approval process at https://studentaid.gov/plus-app Contact Financial Aid Office for more information. |
| AMOUNT: |
Parents of undergraduates may borrow up to the entire cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received. |
Financial Aid Students Who Resign
Financial aid recipients who resign/withdraw, officially or unofficially, before completing more than 60% of the semester will be required to pay back all or part of the aid received. In most cases, students will owe money to the federal aid program(s) and to the school. Students who stop attending all classes will be considered unofficial withdrawals. Specific information and examples regarding the Return of Title IV Funds Policy are available in the Financial Aid Office. The 60% date will be posted on the Financial Aid page at https://www.bpcc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/index for each semester.
Veteran Education Benefits
Education benefits are available to all veterans and their families who qualify based on certain criteria through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Please refer to this link: https://www.bpcc.edu/veteran-educational-services to follow the steps to apply for education benefits or contact the local VA office for assistance; a list of these offices is available on the website. Students should contact the VA Certifying Official at BPCC with any questions regarding certification of their classes.
Once education benefits are established, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the VA Certifying Official in the Veterans Resource Center, Bldg. H-413, to ensure the classes are certified through the VA. Classes cannot be certified without the proper paperwork.
If a student adds a class, drops a class, resigns from the college or changes degree programs it is their responsibility to notify the VA Certifying Official as soon as possible.
Students must maintain satisfactory progress and review the Academic Policies section of the catalog concerning probation and suspension due to a low GPA or financial obligation.
Benefits will be according to VA guidelines.
Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) School Compliance
Effective August 1, 2019, Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) states that under the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, any approved educational institution will be required to sign an agreement stating the following:
Bossier Parish Community College must permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
- The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
- 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.
Bossier Parish Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
All Chapter 33 students are to provide Bossier Parish Community College with a certificate of eligibility or statement of entitlement from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing their name, percentage of eligibility and months remaining on their benefit.
All Chapter 31 students are to have benefit approval in the form of an electronic authorization through the Tungsten Network from their VR & E counselor stating the approved dates and approval of supply stipend, tuition, fees, and books.
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