Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Officer at each campus works closely with all applicants and students seeking financial aid to assist with the costs related to their occupational training.  The Financial Aid Officer will provide information on these sources, but it is the responsibility of the applicant or student to make application and provide necessary documentation to establish eligibility with each financial aid source.  The Financial Aid Officer works with each agency offering financial aid by providing records of student attendance and by recording progress as mandated by each agency.

Campus Financial Aid Officers

*All email addresses end with @NorthshoreCollege.edu

Brief descriptions of financial aid sources follow.  More details can be obtained through the Financial Aid Officer or with the sponsoring agency.

Career Solutions Center (formerly Workforce Investment Act--WIA)
The Career Solutions Center is a federal aid program that assists students with costs of training.  Costs of tuition, registration fees, books, tools, and uniforms may be covered through CSC.  Eligible participants may also be reimbursed for transportation costs.  Eligibility is determined by the local CSC personnel and is based on financial resources.  The Financial Aid Officer works with the CSC offices in certifying students for CSC benefits.  A student must make application with local CSC offices.  The Financial Aid Officer can provide details.

Go Grant
The Go Grant is a need based grant administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.  It is intended to provide funding for Pell eligible students whose educational expenses are not fully covered by their Pell award.  The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for determining eligibility and disbursing funds accordingly.

LEAP State Grant
The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Grant is a need based grant funded by both federal and state dollars.  The state of Louisiana requires LEAP recipients to be Pell Grant eligible Louisiana residents who have a high school diploma or GED.  Recipients must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a Pell overpayment or repayment.  Institutions may establish additional eligibility requirements.  The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for determining eligibility and disbursing funds accordingly.

Loans - Title IV Student Loans
Northshore Technical College does not participate in the federal loan program.  Students who have outstanding student loans can request an in-school deferment while enrolled at the Northshore Technical College.  The student should request a deferment form from the lender and have it completed, certified, and mailed by the Financial Aid Officer.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services provides aid to students who have physical or mental disabilities that result in a barrier to employment.  Interested students should contact their regional LRS office.  See Student Affairs personnel at each campus for the closest LRS office.

Louisiana Student Financial Assistance Commission "The Commission" Award
The Louisiana Student Financial Assistance "Commission" Award funds grants for needy students.  The Commission Award is contingent upon annual funding from the Legislature.

METLA - Motivational Educational Training
This agency provides funding to qualified migrant and full-time full workers and their dependents.  Contact information is available in the Student Affairs Office.

PELL Grant
The Federal Pell Grant program is designed to provide financial assistance to students attending postsecondary educational institutions.  Pell Grant eligibility is based on financial need.  Students may receive other forms of financial aid in addition to the Pell Grant in order to meet the full costs of education.  Unlike a student loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid, as long as students meet certain educational requirements, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress.  Students can apply for the Pell Grant at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Strategies To Empower People (STEP)
Strategies to Empower People (STEP) is a program administered by the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support.  It is available to recipients of FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program).  STEP may assist with the costs of tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.  Interested students should contact their local Office of Family Support for more information.

Sullivan Vocational Foundation, Inc. Scholarship
The foundation awards two or more scholarships each year to currently enrolled students who demonstrate a strong desire to obtain the skills needed to become employed in a field which instruction is available on the Sullivan Campus.  Applications for the scholarship are available through the Fi nancial Aid Office and the Student Affairs Office.

TOPS
The Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) is a merit-based scholarship awarded to students based on completion of a particular high school curriculum, ACT or SAT scores, and other requirements.  The TOPS Tech award pays the cost of tuition and some fees at the Northshore Technical College.  Students can also use TOPS Opportunity, Performance, and Honors awards at the Northshore Technical College.  Under most circumstances, students must be enrolled full-time to receive TOPS funding.  Students must also meet continuation requirements each semester to remain eligible for their TOPS award.  Students should contact their high school guidance counselor, as well as the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at http://www.osfa.la.gov, for more information on eligibility requirements.

TOPS Early Start (formerly known as Dual Enrollment)
TOPS Early Start provides tuition assistance for eligible students who are enrolled in courses at the Northshore Technical College while being dually enrolled in a Louisiana public high school.  Eligible students must be enrolled in a Work Skills course that contributes to a declared Career Area of Concentration and leads to a recognized industry based certification.  Students should contact their high school guidance counselor, as well as the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at http://www.osfa.la.gov,for more information on eligibility requirements.

TOPS Tech Early Start
The TOPS Tech Early Start provides tuition assistance for eligible students who are enrolled in courses at the Northshore Technical College while being dually enrolled in a Louisiana public high school.  Eligible students must be enrolled in a "top demand occupation," as defined by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.  Students should contact their high school guidance counselor, as well as the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance at http://www.osfa.la.gov for more information on eligibility requirements.

Veterans Affairs (VA)
Veterans may use their Educational Benefits at Northshore Technical College.  Interested applicants or students should visit http://www.gibill.va.gov for more information.

NOTE: Northshore Technical College does not participate in the Guaranteed Student Loan (Stafford Loan) program.  To apply for a deferment on a prior Guaranteed Student Loan (Stafford Loan), the student should obtain a deferment form from his/her lender and bring it to the Financial Aid Officer at your respective campus.