M.J. Foster Promise Program

Up to $3,200 a year ($6,400 total) toward tuition, fees and required books/supplies for Louisiana adults 21+ in high-demand workforce programs at community and technical colleges.

How much

$3,200 per award year ($1,600 per semester) full-time; up to $6,400 total (full $6,400 in one year for certain high-cost programs)

Who qualifies

• At least 21 years old when applying (2026-27 and 2027-28; earlier recipients under 21 continue); Louisiana resident who has lived in Louisiana 24 months before the FAFSA (veterans: within 24 months after separation); high school diploma or equivalent (or co-enrolled in a high school equivalency program); no prior associate degree or higher; family income at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines OR unemployed/underemployed for at least six months; not incarcerated and no violent-crime conviction; veterans need an honorable or general-under-honorable discharge; agree to live and work full-time in Louisiana for one year after completion.
• For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
• U.S. citizen
• Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.

When to apply

Open now Annual award year July 1 - June 30; the 2026-27 application opened July 1, 2026 and you can apply any time during the year, but money is paid first-come, first-billed until it runs out (2026-27 fall/early billing deadline for schools: November 30, 2026).

How to apply

1. Complete the M.J
2. Foster Promise online application through LOSFA (eligibility is emailed within a couple of business days), file the FAFSA if your program is Title IV eligible (required before a second payment), enroll in an approved program at a participating college, and tell the financial aid office so it bills LOSFA
3. Reapply each award year

What you'll need

state application + FAFSA

Last checked

October 5, 2026, against the official page (mylosfa.la.gov) and page 2