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Winter 2015
Lela Offering FAFSA Workshops, Webinar to La.'s College-Bound High School Seniors
Lela's Ann Carmichael greets a student at the College Planning Center in Baton Rouge.
Less than half of La. public high school seniors complete the FAFSA
 
The Louisiana Education Loan Authority is gearing up to assist high school students and their parents in checking a major item off of their lists as they near high school graduation -- completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as "FAFSA." 


According to a report released in December by the Louisiana Department of Education, only 44 percent of Louisiana public high school seniors graduating in 2013 filled out the FAFSA -- the form that determines eligibility for federal and state financial aid, which includes TOPS scholarships. These students are missing out on tens of millions of dollars in financial aid as a result. (More)

 

Students Invited to Apply for Annual "Cash for College" Scholarships
Click image
to register or for more information.
Deadline is March 31   

 

Lela is offering $5,000 in college scholarships through its "Cash for College Scholarship Contest," with grand-prize winners each taking home a $1,000 scholarship for the best essay and video. The second-prize winners in the essay and video categories will each win $750 scholarships. The theme is "What's Your College Game Plan?"
 
In addition, three seniors will win $500 scholarships through random drawings, which they can enter in three ways: (More) 


 

Financing College is Easier with a Lela Scholarship
Katrice Adair, Thibodaux High School 

View the latest winners

 

Whether it's a Lela Holiday Art Contest co-sponsored by the George Rodrigue Foundation, a quarterly drawing through Lela's Facebook page or website, its "Cash for College" contest (described in article above) or a variety of other programs, Lela awards thousand of dollars in scholarships to Louisiana students throughout the year. 

 
Click here to view the latest winners, and visit www.AskLela.org for information about additional scholarship opportunities. (More)
LPFA's Zero-Interest Loan Program Making a Difference Statewide
St. Helena School Board taps LPFA to advance "Blueprint to Excellence" 
St. Helena College and Career Academy 
 
 
The new St. Helena College and Career Academy that opened to students in January represents the first new school construction at that school in St. Helena Parish in six decades. The new school for grades 7-12 is part of the District's "Blueprint to Excellence," an ambitious master plan the school board approved in April.

 

The $13 million project, which is funded largely through the passage of a local property tax millage, also includes a renovated auditorium and the construction of a new football stadium, field house and eight-lane track on the high school campus, which has been financed, in part, by a $90,000 zero-interest loan through the LPFA. (More)

 

Property Acquisition Doubles Size of Jackson Parish Recreation Sports Complex, with Construction of Open-Air Arena Planned
Jackson Parish is highlighted in red on this map.
LPFA zero-interest loan helps the Parish achieve its goals 
 
The Jackson Parish Recreation Department recently purchased 177 acres of property on La. Hwy 4, effectively doubling the size of the Parish's recreation sports complex and adding space for an open-air arena and other outdoor activities.

 

The Parish purchased the property with the assistance of a zero-interest loan through the LPFA. (More)

 

 

LPFA and Lela in the News
KALB-TV reported on a financial aid workshop, led by Lela's Christie Smith and hosted by Rapides Parish Library.
"Financial aid workshop: Preparing for the future." KALB-TV (Alexandria). Click here. 

 

"All smiles at St. Helena." The Advocate (Baton Rouge). Click here. 

 

"Increased call volume leads to new fire station in Albany." The Advocate (Baton Rouge). Click here.  
   

 

 

 
Dubroc Receives SWASFAA's Distinguished Service Award 
 
LPFA VP Tricia Dubroc accepts the Leo Hatten Award from SWASFAA President Andrew Hammontree.
The Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators presented LPFA Vice President Tricia Dubroc with the Leo Hatten Distinguished Service Award at its annual conference.

 

The award is SWASFAA's highest honor and is granted in recognition of an individual's outstanding achievements to the financial aid profession. It recognized Dubroc's service on the SWASFAA Board over the past seven years to the organization, financial aid professionals, students, and the surrounding financial aid community.  

Exploring Lela's College Planning Center (and having some fun in the process) are Anthony Ranatza of LSU and Jennifer Thibodeaux of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge.
LPFA and Lela Community Outreach  
 
A gallery of photos of LPFA and Lela staff, their partners and networks, working together to make Louisiana a better place to live and work   


A Big Welcome. Lela opened its doors to college admissions and recruitment officers from throughout the state at its College Planning Center in Baton Rouge.

 

Taking FAFSA on the Road. The Lela team makes presentations and leads workshops at schools, libraries, college and career fairs and takes any opportunity to spread the word. 

 

Guidance Counselors: Check your Inboxes. LPFA and Lela staffs teamed up to mail Financial Aid Awareness Month packets to every Louisiana high school.

(Click here to see the photos.)  
 
LPFA Board of Trustees 

Guy Campbell, III, Chairman
Camille A. Cutrone, Vice Chairman
Peter Egan, Secretary-Treasurer
Dale Benoit
Craig A. Cheramie
Lorin J. Crenshaw
Eric Liew

Scheduled Meetings of the LPFA Board of Trustees 

March 10, 2015
April 7, 2015
May 12, 2015
June 9, 2015
July 7, 2015
August 11, 2015
September 8, 2015
October 6, 2015
November 10, 2015
December 8, 2015
January 12, 2016


LPFA Staff 

James W. Parks II, President and CEO
Martin Walke, VP of Economic & Program Development
Tricia A. Dubroc, VP of Student Loans and Administration
Brinda White, Assistant Vice President, Operations
Joni M. Leggio, Assistant Vice President, Marketing
Becky Harmon, Accountant
Stacye L. Bradford, Executive Assistant  
Emily C.S. Spears, Webmaster/IT Manager
Ann Carmichael, College Planning & Client Services
Christie K. Smith, College Planning & Client Services
Kentra Davis, Compliance Analyst
Geralyn King, Administrative Assistant
Kayla Thomas, Administrative Assistant
Jessica Vasterling, Receptionist
Roosevelt J. Leonard, Operations Assistant  

This public document was produced at a total cost of $2,060 and sent via email to a total of 2,875 recipients.   The total cost to produce this document, including printed versions, is $2,060. This document was produced for the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, 2237 S. Acadian Thruway, Suite 650, Baton Rouge, LA  70808 by Heitman Communications to promote public awareness of the programs and services provided by the LPFA to Louisiana and its citizens and to keep the public informed about the operations of the LPFA under authority of Title 9, Chapter 2-A of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The production of this material was purchased in accordance with the provision of Title 9, Chapter 2-A of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. This electronic document is an example of how the LPFA uses technology to cut costs, prevent waste, and foster efficiency.  For more information about the production of this document; the content contained within this document; public information requests, to be added to the electronic recipient list; or for a printed version of the newsletter, please contact the LPFA at info@lpfa.com.

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority
2237 South Acadian Thruway, Suite 650
Baton Rouge, Louisiana  70808
(225) 923-0020
http://www.lpfa.com