Education and Incentives

Education & Incentives Team

The Education Services Office is here to serve you for all of your educational needs. We strive to be a great resource for all Service Members of the Louisiana National Guard, both past and present. We look forward to hearing from you!

Mr. Leonard Acker

[email protected]

Patriot Scholarship/State Tuition Exemption (STEP)/G.I. Bill/Kicker

Mr. Darrel C. Ferdinand

[email protected]

Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Credentialing Assistance (CA)
Army Personnel Testing

Mrs. Janette Percin

[email protected]

Incentive Manager (BONUS)

Mrs. Wendolin Fontanez

[email protected]

Incentive Manager (BONUS)

Mr. Stephen Imhoff

[email protected]

Student Loan Repayment (SLRP)

Mr. Robert Walker

[email protected]

Student Loan Repayment (SLRP)

CPT Robert Delmore

[email protected]

Education Service Officer (ESO)




ACCMA’s Udemy Business Newsletter_ June 2025 (Effective Communication)

Helpful Links

GI Bill Resources

Military Transcripts

Tuition Assistance/ Credentialing Assistance

Career Guidance and Planning

Testing

Scholarship Resources

Patriot Scholarship FAQ’s

What is the Patriot Scholarship?

The Patriot Scholarship is a Louisiana law passed in 2023 to work in conjunction with the State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP) to help Louisiana Army and Air National Guardsmen work towards an undergraduate degree and Graduate Debt Free.

What does the Patriot Scholarship cover?

The Patriot Scholarship covers mandatory fees towards an undergraduate degree at Louisiana public institutions of higher learning. Your mandatory fees may vary depending on the number of hours enrolled, but Patriot Scholarship will scale to meet them.

How do I sign up for Patriot Scholarship?

All Louisiana Army and Air National Guard members became eligible for the Patriot Scholarship when the law went into effect on 01 August 2023. To use this benefit, the process is similar to STEP. Your school will have a list of all members eligible for STEP and the Patriot Scholarship. If you are on the list, you are signed up. If you are not on the list, you can contact the LANG Education Services Office and then can help you prove eligibility. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.

What are the requirements for the Patriot Scholarship?

  • You must be a member in good standing with the Louisiana National Guard.
  • You must be eligible for STEP.
  • You must not have used the Patriot Scholarship for more than 12 semesters or 16 quarters.
  • Sufficient funds must have been appropriated by the Louisiana legislature for the Patriot Scholarship.
  • See the Memorandum of Understanding (dated 15 July 2023) signed as part of your enlistment/reenlistment contract for more information.

Can I lose Patriot Scholarship eligibility and if so, can I regain eligibility?

You can lose eligibility if you get put on academic probation at your school, or if your Unit Commander flags you. Once you fix either issue, you regain your eligibility. The school determines the rules for Academic Probation. The Unit Commander in accordance with Army/Air Force regulations determine requirements for flagging Service Members and for removing flags.

How does the Patriot Scholarship work with other financial aid?

The Patriot Scholarship specifically covers mandatory fees and nothing else. It is not a monetary award that can be used towards other costs. By rule, LOSFA first applies STEP to your tuition bill. Next, LOSFA applies the Patriot Scholarship to any mandatory fees. Any other remaining awards or scholarship money will be managed by the details of that particular instrument. It is possible that other forms of financial aid may be applied as a credit to the student’s account once all charges have been paid. See your institutions Financial Aid/Scholarship/Bursar’s Office for more information.

Can the Patriot Scholarship be paired with the GI Bill?

Yes, but speak to the LANG Education Services Office to ensure you spend your entitlements wisely. They can help you tailor your education benefits to ensure you gain the maximum benefit for the degree plan you are considering. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.

Can I use Patriot Scholarship at a trades school?

Yes, if that trade school is a Louisiana public postsecondary education institution. Speak with the LANG Education Services Office for more information. Contact info can be found at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.

What if I already had a Bachelor’s Degree when I joined the Guard?

You may still use the Patriot Scholarship towards a second undergraduate degree/certificate. Once you begin using the Patriot Scholarship, eligibility terminates upon exhaustion of academic periods or the acceptance of a Bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.

You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program to use the Patriot Scholarship; however, if a graduate course is required/accepted as part of that undergraduate program, the Patriot Scholarship will apply.

Does my school know about the Patriot Scholarship?

  • All Louisiana public institutions of higher learning are notified of the changes in the law. In addition, each school has a good working relationship with the LANG Education Services Office. If you have problems proving eligibility, reach out to the LANG Education Services Office for support at: https://geauxguard.la.gov/education/.
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