MJ Foster Promise

MJ Foster Promise Program

Eligible students can participate in the MJ Foster Promise Program, a financial aid award given on a first-come, first-served basis. Promise funds can be used over a three-year period to cover tuition and fees. The award amount is a maximum of $3,200 per award year with a lifetime maximum benefit of $6,400.

Promise funds are a “first dollar” award for 1st time recipients. This means that “first dollar” can ONLY be used for the very 1st semester of eligibility. Any subsequent semesters of enrollment will be a “Last Dollar” award.

Any continuing recipients of the Promise Award will be considered “last dollar”, meaning applicants who have received an initial semester of the award must complete the FAFSA PRIOR to the start of their 2nd semester to determine eligibility for other sources of federal aid or demonstrate eligibility for federal aid.

Students must be enrolled in one of the following SOWELA programs to participate.

• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• Carpentry
  • Offered Only at Lamar Salter Site
• Chemical Laboratory Technology
• Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• Drafting and Design Technology
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Industrial Electrical Technology
• Industrial Instrumentation Technology
• Information Systems Technology
• Machine Tool Technology
• NCCER Core
• Nursing
• Outdoor Power Equipment Technology
  • Offered Only at Lamar Salter Site
• Pipefitting
• Pipeline Technician
• Practical Nursing
• Process Technology
• Surgical Technology
  • Offered Only at Morgan Smith Site
• Sterile Processing
  • Offered Only at Morgan Smith Site
• Vehicle Maintenance Technology
• Welding

Training to Be Offered Soon

• Electrician
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Heavy Equipment
• Instrumentation Technician Helper
• Welding - Structural

Eligibility Requirements

• Be 21 years or older.
• Meet a family income that does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Level or be unemployed or underemployed for six months prior to receiving grant.
  • Household of 1 = $38,640
  • Household of 2 = $52,260
  • Household of 3 = $65,880
  • Household of 4 = $79,500
  • Household of 5 = $93,120
• Have earned a high school diploma or equivalent or co-enroll in a qualified program of study and in a program to earn high school credential.
• Have not previously earned an undergraduate degree at the associate level or above.
• Be a Louisiana resident and U.S. Citizen.
• Commit to reside in Louisiana one year after completion and to perform 20 hours of community service, an internship, or a mentorship annually to maintain the award.

Incarcerated individuals and those who have been convicted of any crime of violence as defined in RS 14:2 are prohibited from receiving M.J. Foster Promise funds.

How to Apply

• Submit the FAFSA^® Application (opens new window).
• Submit the Application for the M.J. Foster Promise Program at the LOSFA Student Hub (opens new window).
• Enroll in classes at SOWELA in one of the programs listed above.
• Complete all unsatisfied financial aid tracking requirements as viewable in LoLA (opens new window).

Learn More

For more information, contact SOWELA’s One Stop Enrollment Center at (337) 421-6550 or onestop@sowela.edu.