BATON ROUGE — Through a statewide outreach campaign, the Louisiana Education Loan Authority (Lela) is focusing on the many ways students and parents of all income levels can secure financial assistance for college as part of Financial Aid Awareness Month. Lela is also reminding parents and students that now is the time to apply for financial aid.

During February – which Gov. Bobby Jindal has officially proclaimed Financial Aid Awareness Month – Lela is reaching out to students and parents statewide to provide information about the numerous options – such as scholarships, grants and student loans – available to finance a college education.

“It’s important that college-bound high school seniors and their parents learn about the wide variety of financial aid programs and opportunities early on,” said Joni Leggio, Assistant Vice President of Lela. “February is the best time to start the application process, since most colleges have early deadlines for admissions and financial aid initial paperwork completion.”

Leggio recommends that students and parents complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at fafsa.ed.gov. It is required for most types of federal aid as well as for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) aid at colleges and universities in the state. The priority deadline for completing the FAFSA form is April 1.

Leggio said websites at GoFAAM.com, lela.org, and facebook.com/askLela are excellent sources of detailed financial aid information for students and parents.

“We’re also participating in informational workshops across the state that are open to students and parents,” Leggio said.

Workshop dates and times can be found at GoFAAM.com.

Lela is also awarding a total of $10,000 in scholarships to Louisiana high school seniors through a number of contests. High school seniors are invited to visit GoFAAM.com to learn about the different ways to win “Cash for College.”

One way to win a scholarship is through the newly launched Flat Pete and Nate Go to College Photo Essay Contest that offers three $2,000 awards for the top three winning entries. More information about how to enter and win is available at GoFAAM.com.

Additionally, Lela will give away four $500 scholarships to randomly selected students who register at the financial aid workshops across the state. Four more students, randomly chosen from among those who register at GoFAAM.com during February and March, will also receive $500 scholarships.

Interested persons can learn more about planning for college and other financial aid options by contacting Lela at 800-228-4755.

Lela is a division of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, a nonprofit public trust established to bring lower cost financing assistance and advantages to the citizens of Louisiana at no cost to the state. Lela’s mission is to develop projects and programs that provide resources for college planning and statewide initiatives to insure students’ success on their path to and during college. Lela has assisted more than 375,000 students since 1984.