Finances

Tuition and fees are assessed of all who enroll at LSUS. The amount of the fee shown is determined in accordance with the residency status of the student and the number of semester hours (credit and audit) for which the student enrolls. Louisiana residents and audit students pay only the resident fee. The University reserves the right to change tuition and fees without prior notice. All fees are payable at registration.

*For the most current Tuition and Fees Schedule, visit https://www.lsus.edu//costs-and-aid/tuition-and-fees.

Special Fees

Parking Fines

• Parking Fines
• Parking violation - $25
• Parking in handicapped zones, fire lanes, lawns, streets, sidewalks, and loading zones - $75
• Parking in special areas that are reserved by cones or signs - $75
• Late payment penalty - $10 (assessed on any fine not paid within ten calendar days).
• Vehicular contact with the entrance gate at Pilots Pointe Apartments, or any other barrier, either permanent or temporary - $100
• Failure to yield to a pedestrian cross walk - $100

Denied appeals must be paid within 10 days of receiving decision.

See TRAFFIC AND PARKING REGULATIONS available from University Police for complete details.

Tuition and Payment of Fees

Payment of all assessed tuition and fees is required in order to complete the registration process at the University. Students may apply their financial aid (scholarships, tuition exemption, and/or student loan proceeds), if any, towards the payment of tuition and fees. Payments can be made by cash, check, debit, and/or major credit cards.

Any checks returned unpaid by the bank will result in the following:

• The student will forfeit future check-writing privileges within the LSUS campus.
• A $25 fee will be assessed against the student.
• If the check amount and the $25 fee are not paid upon receipt of the final past due notice, the total amount due will be referred to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office for collections where additional collection charges will be assessed. All charges related to an unpaid check are the responsibility of the student.

Please note that checks issued by a third party on behalf of the student will be treated as the student’s check. Also, note that stopping payment on a check does not constitute an official resignation from the University.

The University will assign all unpaid tuition balances to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office for collections. Students are liable for all associated attorney, collections, and insufficient funds costs. In addition to the University’s collection efforts regarding unpaid tuition, students with financial obligations (tuition payment plans, NSF checks, library fines, parking fines, etc.) owed to the University will not graduate until the balance has been paid in full. A student will not be permitted to register for a future semester until all financial holds have been resolved.  All student accounts must reflect a zero balance to register for all semesters.

Students will receive a financial hold at the end of the current session for any balances on the student’s account due to a reduction in financial aid or unpaid third-party agreements.  The student will be manually dropped from future sessions if the balance is not paid before the first fee payment deadline for the next semester.

Payment Plan

The Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan allows students the flexibility of dividing current semester charges into as many as 5 monthly payments for the Fall and Spring semesters, and up to 3 payments for the Summer semester. There is one payment plan per semester; it is our recommendation for students to register for all classes for the full semester before enrolling in the payment plan. The Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan requires a $50 non-refundable, non-deferrable fee that is due at the time of enrollment into the plan. The monthly payment dates occur on the 2^nd, 9^th, or 16^th day of each month and will be automatically deducted from the student’s choice of a credit card, debit card, or checking account.

Students may enroll in the Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan prior to each semester’s start by going to www.lsus.edu, logging in to myLSUS, and selecting ‘pay now,’ and then the tuition payment plan option. After enrolling in the payment plan, if a student adds additional classes to their schedule, the student is responsible for adjusting the payment plan balance on their payment plan account. LSUS will not increase a student’s payment plan without their written permission. Students who drop after the 100% refund period may have an unpaid balance on their student account after the payment plan ends. Detailed instructions about how to enroll in the Nelnet Payment plan can be found here.

At the completion of each semester, the University will assign all unpaid tuition payment plan accounts to a collection agency. Students are liable for all associated attorney, collections, and insufficient funds costs.

In addition to the University’s collection efforts regarding unpaid tuition payment plan accounts, students with financial obligations (tuition payment plans, NSF checks, library fines, parking fines, etc.) owed to the University will not be able to graduate until the balance has been paid in full. A student will not be permitted to register for a future semester until all prior debt is paid in full or secured with third-party coverage (i.e. receivable balances, obligations, etc.).

Refund of Tuition and Fees

A refund of a student’s tuition and fees will be considered only after one or more of the following conditions are met:

• The student officially resigns from the University. (See also RESIGNING FROM THE UNIVERSITY.)
• The University cancels the student’s registration.
• The student officially drops from one or more classes within a refund period.

The University will first apply refunds to outstanding receivables or obligations and then return any remainder to the student.

The refund schedule for classes is as follows:

NO refunds will be made until the refund period has expired. Financial Aid refunds will be issued 5-7 business days after census date. Census dates vary per semester and/or session. Excess Student Funds will be issued 7-10 business days after financial aid refunds have been disbursed, not to exceed 45 days. Refer to the Academic Calendar in this catalog or Important Dates on the LSUS website.

Refunds will not be issued for dining dollars.

All refunds for housing are initiated by management at Pilots Pointe.

Refund policy for students with Federal Title IV financial aid who resign from the University:

Current federal regulations require repayment of part or all of a federal-sponsored financial aid award if a student stops attending classes. Students receiving Federal Title IV grant or loan funds who officially or unofficially withdraw from all classes at LSUS before 60% of the semester has lapsed will be fully responsible for repaying those funds to the US Department of Education (ED) and/or LSUS. LSUS’ refund policy is used to calculate the refund of institutional charges. However, the Federal Return of Title IV Funds formula dictates the amount of Federal Title IV aid that must be returned to ED by the student and/or University. Federal Title IV aid includes the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Direct Plus Loans. To determine the percentage of the Federal Title IV aid to be returned to ED, the number of calendar days attended in the semester is divided by the number of total calendar days in the semester. Worksheets used to determine the calculation of Federal Title IV refunds are available upon request from the Office of Financial Aid.

The return of Title IV policy applies even if a student stops attending classes and does not officially resign from the University. Additional information regarding this policy is available from the Student Financial Aid Office.

Refund of Tuition Under a Nelnet Payment Plan

Students utilizing a Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan may be issued a refund if a class is dropped on or before the last day to drop for 100% refund. The payment plan balance will be adjusted/reduced by the available refund amount for any drops made after the 100% refund date. If a student receiving a refund is enrolled in a Nelnet Tuition Payment Plan, as well as those that receive Federal Title IV grants or loan funds, must first wait until Federal Funds are disbursed prior to receiving a refund from the Nelnet Plan.

Tuition and/or Fees Exemptions

CODOFIL/Cordell-Hull

Teachers from foreign countries participating in the CODOFIL or Cordell-Hull Programs in Louisiana are exempt from tuition, non-resident tuition, and certain fees for part-time enrollment. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more information.

Graduate Assistants

Graduate Assistants may be eligible for tuition and/or non-resident tuition exemption. Applications for Graduate Assistantship are available in the Dean’s Office of the Colleges and in Departmental Offices.

Louisiana Title 29 Tuition Exemption

Louisiana students whose parents or spouse died in the line of duty or whose parents or spouse is rated with a 90% or more service-connected disability/100% service-connected disability due to individual unemployability may be eligible for the Title 29 tuition exemption. Applications are done through the appropriate parish’s Veterans Service Office. To find your parish’s office, visit https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/locations. Email a copy of your Title 29 Certificate to veterans@lsus.edu and include your student ID number in the subject line of the email. For more information, contact the Veterans Resource Center: 318/798.4178 or veteransrc@lsus.edu.

LSUS Employee Dependent and LSUS Graduate Dependent Non-Resident Exemptions

Children of employees or graduates of LSUS may be eligible for an exemption or partial exemption of out-of-state tuition. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more information.

Non-Resident Tuition Exemption

Students who are classified as non-Louisiana residents may apply for a non-resident partial tuition exemption of out-of-state tuition. The University has a limited number of these exemptions available and they are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Interested students should contact the Office of Admissions.

Louisiana National Guard (LANG) Tuition Exemption

Actively drilling members of the Louisiana Army National Guard and Air National Guard may be eligible for tuition exemption through the State Tuition Exemption Program. For more information, contact Mr. Acker: leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil or 504/278.8273.

Over 65

LSUS students sixty-five years of age or older are exempt from tuition and certain fees. Contact the Records Office for more information.

Police/Fire Officer Exemption

Children of police or fire officers who died in the line of duty may be eligible for tuition and certain fee exemptions. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more information.

Southeast Asian Refugees Exemption

Southeast Asian Refugees placed in Louisiana by a relief agency may be exempt from non-resident tuition. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more information.

Southern University in Shreveport/LSUS Cooperative

Students taking at least 12 non-developmental hours per semester (including Summer) at Southern University in Shreveport may be eligible for a tuition and certain fee exemptions* for up to three hours per semester. Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for more information.

*NOTE: For a current list of fees that are exempt, contact the Office of Accounting Services.

Scholarships

LSUS offers non-competitive Institutional Scholarships based on the admission application, as well as private, donor-funded scholarships. Specific scholarships are available only to incoming freshmen, while others are available to all LSUS students who meet eligibility requirements. For more information on scholarships, visit http://www.lsus.edu/costs-and-aid/scholarships or contact Matthew Culpepper, Director of Scholarships: 318/797.5054; scholarships@lsus.edu.

Student Financial Aid Programs

To be eligible for financial aid from the Title IV Federal student aid programs, the student must be enrolled in a degree or teacher certification program and be registered for at least six credit hours during any academic semester that financial aid is received. Students taking less than six hours may qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.

Application Process: To apply for financial aid the student completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is submitted electronically at https://studentaid.gov/. After the student’s application is processed, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education. This report is used to determine the student’s eligibility for Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and Federal Direct Student Loans.

Students receiving financial aid awards at LSUS are notified of their awards on an award letter issued by the Office of Financial Aid and on myLSUS. If the student chooses to decline any type of financial aid offered, they should do so by returning a copy of the award letter to the Office of Financial Aid.

Federal Pell, FSEOG, and FWS are selected based on financial need. No preference is shown for sex, race, student classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.), or state of residency. Annual submission of the FAFSA is required to determine eligibility and financial need.

Enrollment Status for Financial Aid Recipients: For students receiving Federal Title IV aid, the following definitions are used to certify the student’s enrollment status for Fall, Spring, or Summer semesters:

Grants: The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.

The Office of Financial Aid at LSUS determines eligibility for the FSEOG. Selection for these grants is based on financial need.

Work-Study: Federal Work-Study is a joint effort by the federal government and the University to provide jobs for students who need financial assistance to attend college.

Loan Funds: Students may be awarded two types of loans based on their eligibility, the William D. Ford Direct Subsidized Loan, and/or the William D. Ford Direct Unsubsidized Loan. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on the Subsidized Loan while the student is enrolled at least half-time. The interest on the Unsubsidized Loan is paid by the student or accrues and is capitalized. The student begins to make payments on the Unsubsidized and Subsidized Loan after graduation or when their credit hours drop to less than half-time basis.

Student Workers and Student Employment

Campus employment is available to students in two ways. The first kind of on-campus employment a student can pursue is through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program. The second kind of on-campus employment a student can pursue is funded through departmental budgets. Students pursue these opportunities in different ways. Generally, full-time students are eligible for student employment.

To participate in FWS, a student must state on their FAFSA that they are interested in the program, complete an application in the Office of Financial Aid, and have financial need. The student will be notified on their award letter if they have been awarded FWS funds. Students new to the program must visit the Office of Financial Aid (located in office suite 159 of the Administration Building) during the first week of school and obtain a list of open positions. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain a job from those posted. Returning students usually continue in their previous positions. Please note that funding for FWS is limited and awarded to those who apply early and demonstrate financial need.

Other campus job opportunities offered outside of Federal Work-Study can be secured by either contacting Career Services or by contacting the department in which the student desires to work. As a first step, stop by Career Services and staff can offer guidance about what to do next. Career Services is located in the Student Success Center (1^st floor of the Noel Memorial Library). You can also contact the Office of Career Services by calling 318.797.5062.

If a student is interested in pursuing jobs off-campus, they can explore part-time and full-time jobs listed with Career Services. To learn more, visit Career Services in the Student Success Center (1^st floor of the Noel Memorial Library), call 318.797.5062, email career@lsus.edu, or visit www.lsus.edu/career.

Veterans Benefits

Veteran or eligible dependents qualifying for VA education benefits (Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®, Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment, Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill, Chapter 35 Dependents Education Assistance, Chapter 1606 Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve) must apply through the VA’s website at https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply. The VA takes around 30 days to process your application and will send you a Certificate of Eligibility. Send a copy (picture/scan/screenshot) of the Certificate of Eligibility to veterans@lsus.edu and be sure to include your student ID in the subject line of the email.

*NOTE: GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

VA students are subject to the following requirements:

1. Beginning freshmen must have the high school from which they graduated forward an official high school transcript to the Office of Admissions and Records. Refer to the UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS section of this catalog.
2. Student veterans must send an official copy of their military transcripts to LSUS. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans should go to https://jst.doded.mil/official.html. Air Force veterans should go to www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/CCAF/Display/Article/803247/community-college-of-the-air-force-transcripts.
3. Transfer students must have each college or university they attended mail an official transcript directly to the LSUS Office of Admissions and Records, regardless of whether credit was earned at the institution. The Dean of the College offering the degree determines the extent to which accepted credits are applied toward a degree.
4. Students receiving VA benefits must be working toward a degree or certification or be taking prerequisites approved by the Dean.
5. Students are required to submit a curriculum sheet signed by their academic advisor for the degree they are seeking. (Note: Online MBA students do not need to submit a curriculum sheet.)
6. Students using Chapter 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606 GI Bill benefits or Title 29 tuition exemption must fill out a Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits EACH semester. This form can be found at https://compass.lsus.edu/FCCSC/navigate/student.jsp. Go to Records, then Forms, then Request for Certification of Veteran Education Benefits.
7. Students repeating courses may not receive full benefits. Contact the School Certifying Official at veterans@lsus.edu for more details.
8. Students who drop or withdraw classes due to unforeseen events or emergencies outside their control (mitigating circumstances) may have their tuition refunded. For more information, go to www.va.gov/resources/how-your-reason-for-withdrawing-from-a-class-affects-your-va-debt.
9. Students using Chapter 30, Chapter 35, or Chapter 1606 GI Bill benefits are responsible for paying tuition and fees to LSUS at the beginning of each semester. Chapter 31 and Chapter 33 are the only GI Bill benefits that pay the University directly.
10. Students eligible for education benefits under Chapter 33 (Post 09/11 - September 11, 2001) of the GI Bill must submit a VA Certificate of Eligibility before a deferment letter is processed. The deferment letter indicates the percentage of tuition and fees the VA will pay. The student is responsible for paying all fees and tuition prior to the established deadlines unless a deferment letter is processed.
    1. If the University does not receive payment or receives a partial payment from the VA, the student is responsible for the unpaid tuition and fees.
    2. Any unpaid balances owed to LSU Shreveport will be subject to collection activities. The student agrees to pay all collection costs associated with the collection of their unpaid balance.
11. Students using GI Bill Benefits under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment/Vocational Rehabilitation) to pay for tuition and fees must have an electronic Purchase Order (PO) form on file at the University prior to the University’s fee payment deadline. The Vocational Rehab counselor submits the PO through the Tungsten Network.

The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition and fees purposes:

• A Veteran using educational assistance under Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty), Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill), or Chapter 35 (DEA) of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in the State of Louisiana while attending a school located in the State of Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal state of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the State of Louisiana while attending a school located in the State of Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 331 (b)B9)) who lives in the State of Louisiana while attending a school located in the State of Louisiana (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).

Military Tuition Assistance (TA)

Military members wanting to use TA benefits must see their Education Service Officer (ESO) at their current duty station prior to registering for classes. The service member will request TA through their service’s education portal. Assistance with the portal is provided by your ESO.

Military members must email their approved and signed TA form to veterans@lsus.edu. Be sure to include your student ID in the email subject line. The military member will be responsible for paying the remaining balance, if any, of tuition and fees not covered with TA funds by the University’s fee payment deadline. To find the payment deadline for all terms, go to Calendar under Quick Links on the University’s home page.

For those using the GI Bill TOP UP program, the military member may use education benefits under Chapter 30 (Active Duty Montgomery) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11) of the GI Bill to cover the portion of tuition and fees not covered by your TA. Military members will also need to complete the process for using the GI Bill at LSU Shreveport.

Governor’s Military-Friendly Campus

Military members, veterans, their spouses and legal dependents can qualify for reimbursement of their application fee and priority registration by submitting documentation proving their status.

1. Acceptable documents for military members or veterans are military orders assigning member to current duty station, DD Form 214 Member 4, or GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility.
2. Acceptable documents for spouses are one of the forms listed in item 1 above, plus military dependent ID or marriage certificate.
3. Acceptable documents for legal dependents are one of the forms listed in item 1 above, plus military dependent ID or previous year’s federal tax form listing individual as a dependent.
4. Once qualification is established, you will receive reimbursement of the application fee at the end of your first semester. Additionally, you are able to register for the next term’s classes on the first day of early registration, no matter your classification.

Students Called into Military Service (Activations, Orders, and Deployments)

LSUS greatly appreciates the dedication of our many students who continue to serve on active duty, in the National Guard, or Reserves while pursuing their education.

Your choice to serve should not negatively impact your academic progress at LSUS. If your military service leads to a deployment or activation that impacts your classes, we will work to provide the best accommodations for you. The Records Office will need a copy of your orders prior to deployment.

If you find yourself in this situation, please contact the Veterans Resource Center: 318/798.4178 or veteransrc@lsus.edu to discuss your options. Depending on your unique situation, you may want to pursue a class withdrawal, an incomplete, other alternate class arrangements (at Instructor’s discretion), or continue classes online.

Louisiana National Guard (LANG) Tuition Exemption

Actively drilling members of the Louisiana Army National Guard and Air National Guard may be eligible for tuition exemption through the State Tuition Exemption Program. For more information, contact Mr. Acker at leonard.c.acker.civ@army.mil or 504-278-8273.

Louisiana Title 29 Tuition Exemption

Louisiana students whose parents or spouse died in the line of duty or whose parents or spouse is rated with a 90% or more service-connected disability/100% service-connected disability due to individual unemployability may be eligible for the Title 29 tuition exemption. Applications are done through the appropriate parish’s Veterans Service Office. To find your parish’s office, go to https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/locations/. Email a copy of your Title 29 Certificate to veterans@lsus.edu and include your student ID in the subject line of the email. For more information, contact the Veterans Resource Center at 318-798-4178 or veteransrc@lsus.edu.