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News & Events
Have you registered for one of Lela’s $1,000 scholarships?
(3/27/26) We love directing students to scholarship money and awarding scholarships of our own.
In fact, we award about 10 scholarships each year to Louisiana students through the $1,000 Lela FAFSA Completion and Lela Choose Louisiana scholarships. Since 2007, we’ve given more than $400,000 in scholarships to Louisiana students through our scholarship programs and random drawings.
You can register for scholarships and find more information about this and other college planning resources in our Student Resource Center.
And visit our scholarship award page to see the latest winners!
Let’s do the FAFSA. We have extended hours for you.
(3/10/26) Free virtual FAFSA sessions are now available from 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Friday and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays. Watch the video below, and click here to schedule your appointment.
Johnny Manela Joins the Lela Team
(2/26/26) We’re proud to welcome our longtime colleague, Johnny Manela, to the Louisiana Education Loan Authority (Lela) team.
As a college and financial services student aid official for two decades, Johnny joined Lela and other partners in working to bring education opportunities to Louisiana students. In his new role, he will manage Lela’s outreach efforts and scholarship programs to help make post-secondary education a reality for students and their families.
Welcome, Johnny. We’re glad to have you onboard!
Federal Student Loan Changes Coming in July 2026
The new federal budget law means tighter borrowing limits for new federal student loan borrowers in Louisiana. Key changes are set to go into effect on July 1, 2026, for new federal student loans.
Click the link below for more information in the 2025 Lela Link.
Welcome Back, Ann!
Lela is happy to announce that Ann Carmichael is back on our team full-time as Lela’s Marketing and Program Development Manager and more.
Click the link below for the Lela 2023 Spring Update.
Lela Continues to Support “GRFA”
Lela shares the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts “GRFA” commitment to making sure that higher education is accessible and affordable for all students so that they may continue to pursue their education and enrich their lives.
Click the link below for the Lela 2023 Spring Update.
If you need additional help with paying for college, after you have received all federal and state aid, as well as scholarships, consider LelaCHOICE supplemental education.
For FAFSA related questions, call the Lela FAFSA HELPline for assistance: