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Academic Year

An academic year is the period that defines enrollment for financial aid purposes. It begins with the fall semester in August and concludes with the summer semester in July.  

• Fall Semester (16-weeks): August – December
• Winter Intersession (3-weeks): December – January
• Spring Semester (16-weeks): January – May
• Summer Intersession (3-weeks): May – June
• Summer Semester (8-weeks): June – July 

Exact dates are set in the University academic calendar.  

Cost of Attendance (COA)  

Your COA is the estimated total cost for attending an institution for one academic year. It includes: 

• Direct costs: Tuition and mandatory fees
• Indirect costs: Room, board, transportation, books, and other living expenses 

Tuition and fees are the only costs that are paid directly to the University. Books, supplies, and other costs will vary for each student.  

Note: Online students are not assessed additional student fees outside of the Distance Learning fee, which is defined below.  

Deferment 

A deferment is a temporary pause on your student loan payments. Most students qualify while they’re in school, so you won’t have to start paying back your loans until after you graduate or drop below half-time. Half-time is 6 hours for undergraduates and 5 hours for graduate students. 

Learn more about time status designations through the Office of the Registrar.  

Distance Learning Fee 

This fee is included in your flat-rate tuition but appears separately on your statement. The fee goes to the E-Learning Support Fund, which helps grow hybrid and online courses by supporting electronic library collections, student services, course design improvements, and IT projects that make online learning possible.  

• Undergraduate hybrid (HY) and online (OL) courses: $30 per credit hour
• Graduate hybrid (HY) and online (OL) courses: $50 per credit hour 

Enrollment Status 

Your enrollment status is based on how many credits or courses you’re taking each semester. Your financial aid eligibility can change depending on whether you’re enrolled full-time or part-time. 

Entrance Counseling  

Before you can receive your first federal student loan, you’ll need to complete the requirement provided by the Federal Student Aid office. The brief online course walks you through your loan options and responsibilities as a borrower. It takes about 30 minutes to complete.  

Exit Counseling 

is required for students with federal loans when leaving school, dropping below half-time, or graduating. Like entrance counseling, it takes 30 minutes and helps you understand your loan agreements and repayment options.  

¹ó´¡¹ó³§´¡Â® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)  

The is the federal form used to determine your eligibility for financial aid, including grants, loans, work-study, and certain scholarships. Students must complete a new FAFSA each year to remain eligible for aid.  

You can start your application at .  

Federal Student Loans 

Federal student loans come from the U.S. Department of Education and must be repaid with interest. Types include:  

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: Available for undergraduate students and are awarded based on financial need. Interest is deferred while you are enrolled, so you’ll want to accept these before unsubsidized loans to avoid added costs.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: Interest accrues while you are enrolled.
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan: Available to parents of dependent students or graduate students; requires a credit check.  

Financial Aid Offer 

Your financial aid offer, or financial aid package, breaks down the total amount of financial aid you’ve been awarded to help cover your college costs. This includes loans, as well as any grants and scholarships.  

FSA ID 

Your FSA ID is the username and password combination you will use to log in to U.S. Department of Education online systems (). This acts as your legal signature, so be sure to create your own and keep it private. 

Grace Period   

A grace period is the time before you have to start paying back federal student loans after leaving school, dropping below half-time, or graduating. 

Grants 

Grants are considered a need-based gift aid that generally do not require repayment.  

• Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant helps undergraduate students from low- and moderate-income families pay for college. The amount you receive depends on your school’s cost of attendance, your Student Aid Index (SAI), and your enrollment status.
• 91³Ô¹Ï Go Grant: The 91³Ô¹Ï Go Grant provides additional need-based aid for non-traditional and low- to moderate-income students who need extra help covering college costs. Receiving a Go Grant may reduce some other types of federal aid, but it won’t affect your Pell Grant eligibility.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The FSEOG provides additional funding for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Awards depend on available funds and typically average around $3,000 per year. You must be enrolled at least half-time and be eligible for a Pell Grant to qualify.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (): The IASG helps students whose parent or guardian died while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001. You may qualify if you meet all the Pell Grant requirements except for the Student Aid Index and were under 24 or enrolled in college at the time of your parent or guardian’s passing.  

Learn more about UL Lafayette’s grant opportunities.  

91³Ô¹Ï TOPS Program 

91³Ô¹Ï’s Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) provides merit-based funding for eligible 91³Ô¹Ï residents attending UL Lafayette. Award amounts vary depending on program level and eligibility.  

This scholarship is available through the . 

Master Promissory Note 

The Master Promissory Note, or MPN, is your official loan agreement. When you sign it, you agree to repay your federal student loans and any interest that comes with them. One MPN can cover several years of borrowing, so you usually only need to sign it once. 

Net Price 

The net price is the actual cost for you to attend a college. You calculate it by taking the college’s cost of attendance (COA) and subtracting any scholarships and/or grants you’ve received.  

Use our for a customized estimate of your cost to attend UL Lafayette. 

Private Loans  

Private loans come from banks or private lenders. They usually have higher interest rates and stricter repayment terms than federal loans.  

Scholarships 

Scholarships are a type of financial aid that can be either merit- or need-based and do not require repayment. Conditions vary by program and can include academic achievement, talent, or career goals.  

Please note that you are required to notify the Office of Financial Aid of any external scholarships you receive. Such awards are counted as a resource and will reduce your eligibility for other need-based aid. 

Unmet Need 

Unmet need is the portion of your college costs that isn’t covered by scholarships, grants, or other financial aid. This is the amount you may need to cover out of pocket. 

Veteran 

For financial aid, a veteran is anyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. You’re considered a veteran even if you served only one day of active duty (not training) before receiving your DD-214 discharge papers.  

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, contact the Office of Veteran & Military Student Services at 337-482-5206.  

Work-Study & Student Jobs 

Work-study and student jobs let on-campus students earn money while gaining work experience.  

• Federal Work-Study: Federal funding provides part-time jobs for students, and you get paid for the hours you work.
• Departmental Jobs: University departments hire students for on-campus positions using their own funds. 

Need help with your financial aid? Visit louisiana.edu/financialaid or call (337) 482-6506. 

Online students can email faonline@louisiana.edu to connect with a dedicated online financial aid counselor.