The Campaign for Louisiana State University
LSU Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities
Students are the heart of LSU’s commitment to the future of Louisiana, the Gulf Coast region, and the nation. Today’s LSU students boast the highest incoming grade point average in school history and graduation rates have improved dramatically. Our continued goal is not only to attract the best and brightest students, but to provide them financial opportunities that, without private support, would not exist. Scholarship funds created by private donations provide vital supplements to the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), which offers qualifying students an opportunity to receive funds for full tuition, as well as some additional expenses, so they may pursue a degree without incurring major debt. Privately funded scholarships are even more important for non-resident students who must pay higher tuition and do not receive TOPS awards. A goal of LSU is to attract wellqualified students from other states, many of whom remain in Louisiana to pursue their careers. Scholarships and fellowships for graduate students are also a priority. Funding for graduate students attracts the best scholars from around the nation and the world. These individuals fill key positions in the research and teaching mission that characterizes LSU’s status as a researchextensive university.
Endowments An endowment is a permanent account maintained within the assets managed for the benefit of the University. It is permanent because the principal is never spent. Only earnings from investment of the principal may be expended for the designated purpose. Endowed funds are regarded as important commitments to the donors and key assets for the financial future of the University. There are a number of ways to support scholarly activity of undergraduates and graduate students at LSU. Whether you choose to support scholarships by giving to the LSU Alumni Association, LSU Foundation, or the Tiger Athletic Foundation, your contribution will help students for generations to come. A donor may direct a gift to the corpus of an endowment, to help build the endowment, or provide a gift that may be used immediately for scholarship support.
LSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION For more than 100 years, the LSU Alumni Association has held steadfastly to its primary mission of keeping alumni connected with their alma mater. Over time, however, the association has evolved to include multiple programs that endeavor to aid students.
TOP 100 SCHOLARSHIPS The LSU Alumni Association established one of the oldest and most successful programs still in existence at the University—the Top 100 Scholarship Program. Since its inception, approximately 3,930 of the most highly decorated incoming University freshmen have been awarded a Top 100 Scholarship.
Top 100 Scholarship Endowment Levels of Support •
$40,000
(1) student supported (4) years
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$80,000
(2) students supported (4) years
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$120,000
(3) students supported (4) years
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$160,000
(4) students supported (4) years
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$16 Million
Program Naming Opportunity
LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS Leadership Scholarships are awarded based on a proven record of outstanding leadership in student organizations and community activities. The association provides these scholars with opportunities to meet successful leaders in business, industry, civic and University organizations. The Leadership Scholarship is a one-time award of $1,000 given in two semester increments of $500 to the recipient. Approximately 100 Leadership Scholarships are awarded annually. Leadership Scholarship recipients are nominated by their high school principal, guidance counselor, or other local system representative.
The Top 100 Scholarship Program offers more than 100 incoming freshmen a four-year scholarship, which includes an annual cash stipend of $2,000 ($8,000 over four years). These students can also participate in the Chancellor’s Future Leaders in Research Program or become a Chancellor’s Student Aide and work in a campus job to earn extra income. Additionally, non-resident students receiving the scholarship are eligible to receive a Golden Oaks award, which covers tuition and the non-resident fee. The Top 100 Scholarship Program is the most vital to continuing the flow of outstanding high school graduates to the University. The LSU Alumni Association has accepted the challenge of raising the necessary funds and has begun a $16 million campaign to endow the entire Top 100 Scholarship Program.
LSU Alumni Association Leadership Scholarship Levels of Support • $20,000
Endow a Leadership Scholarship
• $2 Million Endow the entire Leadership Scholarship
Program
LSU FOUNDATION There are a number of ways to support scholarly activity of undergraduate and graduate students at LSU.
PERSONALIZED ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITIES Named Endowed Scholarship ($40,000 minimum)*
limited to, such things as high school academic grades and rankings, SAT and/or ACT scores, and current gpa. An award from this fund could complete or “top off” a scholarship package for a student that may include TOPS. Beyond the broad definition of “merit,” the LSU Foundation and donors do not set specific award criteria. The Office of Student Aid & Scholarships will determine student recipients based on a competitive award process.
A special scholarship fund named for the donor or in honor or memory of someone. This fund may also be restricted in accordance with the donor’s preferences regarding the student’s academic major, academic qualifications, financial need, residence, or other criteria. Restrictions may not be made that benefit only a specific individual, that apply only to a relative of the donor, or that would cause illegal discrimination. The academic qualifications generally require a minimum high school gpa of 3.0 and ACT score of 23. Financial need is determined by the Office of Student Aid & Scholarships. Named Endowed Graduate Fellowship ($200,000 minimum)* As a research-extensive university, LSU places a high priority on attracting qualified graduate students to its wide range of programs for advanced degrees. Fellowship support may be funded by endowments similar to those for undergraduate scholarships. *Scholarships are in addition to those awarded by the TOPS program.
LSU FOUNDATION ENDOWMENTS Donors who do not wish to create individualized, named endowments can still contribute to the cause by supporting one of three scholarship endowments in the LSU Foundation. LSU Foundation Merit Scholarship Endowment This endowment provides scholarship stipends to students based on academic merit. Merit may include, but is not
LSU Foundation Opportunity Scholarship Endowment This endowment provides scholarship stipends to students based on financial need. The Office of Student Aid & Scholarships will determine student recipients based on an established formula that determines need. LSU Foundation Strategic Scholarship Endowment This endowment provides scholarship stipends to students that may be targeted in a “strategic” area for the University. For example, the University may have a low enrollment area they want to build or a new curriculum or program that could use a boost. Scholarships can be targeted to students in these areas. Strategic areas could include: first generation college students, diversity, out-of-state students, and leadership. As the needs and opportunities of the University change, this endowment will provide the Office of Student Aid & Scholarships the flexibility to respond to these changes and help the University address strategic goals.
TIGER ATHLETIC FOUNDATION Foundation of Champions Athletic Scholarship Endowment Program The Foundation of Champions Athletic Scholarship Endowment Program was established to ensure each student-athlete is afforded the best opportunity to obtain the education necessary to prepare them for the future. Donors have the chance to make a lasting impact on these young people by providing the financial resources to build champions on and off the playing fields. Each year, LSU athletics must pay the University in full for both in-state and out-of-state scholarships for all studentathletes. As scholarship costs continue to climb, building a healthy endowment is vital to the future success of LSU athletics.
The purpose of this program is to provide a perpetual source of funding for all athletic scholarships through a general scholarship endowment fund. The ultimate goal is to fully endow all athletic scholarships at LSU. All donations will be accepted in the form of cash, bequests, stock or other forms of securities and will receive double priority points for philanthropic giving in the unified LSU Priority Point System. Pledges to the endowment can be paid over time. A unique feature of the Foundation of Champions Scholarship Program is that a donor who fully endows a scholarship has the opportunity to name the scholarship or to designate an honoree. The donor would then have the chance to honor a former student-athlete that left a positive impact on the LSU athletic program.
Endowment Opportunities
$250K
$50K
$25K
Invitation to a special trip designated by TAF staff
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Scholarship naming rights
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Recognition at sporting event with which scholarship is associated
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Recognition in Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes
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Framed jersey recognizing donor
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Invitation to banquet honoring donor and scholarship recipients
Display item recognizing donor Double Priority Points Thank you note and photo from current scholarship recipient Recognition in athletic department publications and TAF website
Answer the Call
$100K
Philanthropic gifts to the Foundation of Champions receive two priority points per $1,000 donated. Priority points are awarded to donors based on cash received.
To discuss scholarship opportunities, please contact:
Alumni Association
LSU Foundation
Tiger Athletic Foundation
LSU Institutional Advancement
Cliff Vannoy or Larry Jones
Jeff McLain
Ben Ross
Bunnie Cannon
225-578-3838
225-578-3811
225-578-4823 225-578-0302
888-RINGLSU
scholarships@lsufoundation.org
benross@lsu.edu
cliff@lsualumni.org
www.foreverlsu.org
Produced by the Louisiana State University Office of Public Affairs 07120F • 06/10 Paid for with private funds.
bcannon@lsu.edu