10 Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Louisiana

Student loans have been a hot topic for several years now. Many employers require a degree, but student loans can crush students. With FAFSA, students can access federal aid, including grants and low-interest loans.

Online students can use FAFSA just as in-person students can. Louisiana students will find many online colleges that accept FAFSA in their state.

10 Best Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA in Louisiana

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the U.S. Department of Education's application that determines eligibility for federal and state aid, and sometimes institutional aid as well. With this aid, students can find affordable online programs in Louisiana.

Many colleges and universities in Louisiana offer online programs and accept FAFSA. Keep reading to discover these schools, all of which hold regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

1. Louisiana State University Alexandria

Louisiana State University of Alexandria is a public college in Alexandria, LA. It's part of the Louisiana State University system and offers an online associate degree in addition to a variety of online bachelor's degree programs in areas of study like:

• business administration
• computer science
• criminal justice
• psychology

LSU Alexandria accepts federal financial aid but also offers its own scholarship programs, and the tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state students studying online. To access financial aid, students will need to use the school's federal code, 002011, when filling out the FAFSA form.

2. Louisiana State University

At the flagship campus of the Louisiana State University System, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online. LSU is a public research institution in Baton Rouge, LA, and the largest school by enrollment in the state.

Online learning is offered in a variety of fields, such as business, information technology, mass communication, and sports management. Out-of-state students do not pay an additional fee for distance education, and the university's FAFSA code is 002010.

3. Louisiana Tech University

The online education programs at Louisiana Tech include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Areas of study include business administration, English, health informatics, and nursing.

Louisiana Tech University is a public research institution in Ruston, LA. College students can take advantage of one of the school's multiple scholarship options with the FAFSA code 002008.

4. Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans is a private, nonprofit Catholic school in New Orleans. It offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs in fields such as:

• business management
• criminal justice
• computer science
• nursing

Loyola students can use financial aid to pay for their online and distance learning programs. The university's FAFSA code is 002016.

5. McNeese State University

Students at McNeese State University will find bachelor's and master's degree programs available online. McNeese State is a public school in Lake Charles, LA.

It offers online degree programs in areas of study like business management, criminal justice, education, and healthcare management. To use FAFSA at the university, the code is 002017.

6. Nicholls State University

Online options at Nicholls State University are primarily undergraduate degrees, but a few programs are available to graduate students as well. These online programs are in fields such as business administration, English, nursing, and sociology.

Nicholls State is a public university in Thibodaux, LA. It offers a variety of scholarships to students, and its FAFSA code is 002005.

7. Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public institution in Natchitoches, LA. It offers online degree programs from the associate through the doctoral levels in areas of study like:

• criminal justice
• liberal arts
• information technology
• public safety administration

Several types of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs are available for online students. To access this aid at NSULA, students should use the FAFSA code 002021.

8. Southeastern Louisiana University

At Southeastern Louisiana University, students can complete undergraduate and graduate programs online. The institution is a public school in Hammond, LA.

Online learners can earn degrees in fields such as communications, criminal justice, and nursing. In addition to FAFSA aid, students may qualify for scholarships at Southeastern with the FAFSA code 002024.

9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Online programs at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate programs. The school offers these in areas of study like business management, criminal justice, and healthcare.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public research institution in Lafayette, LA, and the largest by enrollment in the University of Louisiana System. Students can access financial aid with the FAFSA code 002031.

10. University of Louisiana Monroe

The University of Louisiana Monroe is a public institution in Monroe, LA. It offers online bachelor's and master's programs in fields such as:

• business administration
• criminal justice
• education
• English

In addition to federal and state aid, students may qualify for institutional financial aid to pay for their online courses. The university's FAFSA code is 002020.

Applying for FAFSA in Louisiana

In addition to allowing you to access government student aid, the FAFSA is important because many institutional or private aid programs require you to have filled out the application. We've gone over the basic steps for applying for FAFSA below.

Eligibility

Because FAFSA is meant to determine your eligibility for financial aid, there aren't many eligibility requirements to simply fill out the form. To start, you need to be a U.S. citizen or qualify as an eligible non-citizen.

Additionally, you must have or be in the process of earning a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. You should also be planning to attend an accredited institution of higher education in the coming academic year, although there is no penalty if you apply for FAFSA and end up not going to college that year.

Steps To Apply

Applying for FAFSA can seem overwhelming, but the steps are pretty simple for most students. You'll need to:

• create an account on the StudentAid.gov website
• collect your family's financial information, including tax returns and bank statements (either your parents or your spouse)
• find the federal school codes for all the schools you're applying to, even if you haven't been accepted yet
• enter the information into the FAFSA form (usually takes about an hour)
• sign and submit your FAFSA

After you've submitted your FAFSA, you can track its status through your account. Whatever schools you entered will receive copies of your FAFSA results.

FAQs About Using FAFSA for College in Louisiana

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about using FAFSA for college in Louisiana.

Will Financial Aid Cover Degrees at Accredited Online Colleges?

As long as your online school is regionally accredited, financial aid will almost certainly cover your degree. If your school is nationally accredited, you should check with the financial aid office to ensure they accept FAFSA.

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost?

The cost of an online degree varies based on several factors, including:

• the level of degree you're earning
• whether your school is public or private
• if you're considered an in-state or out-of-state student
• whether you're studying at a two-year or four-year institution
• whether you're studying full-time or part-time
• how many credit hours you need
• what financial aid you use

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of a degree at a public, four-year institution for in-state students in Louisiana is $9,843 per year, while the cost at a private Louisiana college or university averages $44,485 per year. Typically, online programs are about the same price as on-campus programs.

Can I Use FAFSA for Community College?

As long as your community college is accredited, you will almost certainly be able to use FAFSA. Many students choose to start their degrees at two-year colleges to increase affordability and make their federal aid stretch further.

Earn Your Online Bachelor's Degree Today

Start your journey toward an online bachelor's degree today by exploring the online programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their online learning options and financial aid.