The 431 Exchange provides an invaluable ‘hand-up’ to adults determined to transform their lives through education. The Scholarship Fund is open twice a year to adults age 18 and older who are residents of Louisiana, and are enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational/trade/technical school in the State of Louisiana.

Top-scoring applicants are awarded $1,431. Runners-up and previous scholarship winners who need further assistance meeting some of their educational expenses are awarded $431 ‘Lift’ Scholarships as they all work to brighten and stabilize their futures. 

Qualifying Criteria

• LOUISIANA APPLICANTS: Must be residents of Louisiana who graduated from a Louisiana high school and are going to school in Louisiana;

• LEGACY APPLICANTS: Descendants or relatives of an Adult Education Center graduate from years 1965–1972 - must meet all qualifying criteria except being a Louisiana resident, graduating from a Louisiana high school, or registering for a college, university, or vocational program in Louisiana;

• Scholarship applicants must be 18 years of age or older; 

• Scholarship applicants must be registered at a college, university, vocational or trade school that normally maintains a regular educational faculty, curriculum, and student body where its educational activities are conducted; 

• Scholarship monies awarded are to be used for educational program needs such as: tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, room, board, travel, and/or research incidentals; 

• Scholarship applicants must provide a brief personal statement of financial need and ability to generate income by employment, if necessary, during their program;

• Scholarship applicants must show proof of enrollment if chosen as finalists (unofficial transcript, copy of class schedule, or copy of school ID are acceptable forms of proof).

Application Guidelines

1. Complete the information requested about yourself on the application;

2. Complete information about the year you graduated from High School or received your GED, and its location;

3. Complete information about any continuing education you have taken in the past;

4. The 431 Exchange exists to give a ‘hand-up’ to adults determined to transform their lives through education. Please look through the 431 Exchange’s website and tell us, in 100 words or less, what makes you courageous and eager to make a difference in your life;  

5. In 50 words or less what inspires you about our nonprofit; 

6. Complete information about the school in which you have enrolled, its location, major field of studies in which you have enrolled, anticipated degree, and program GPA;

7. Provide a personal statement of financial need, including whether you are currently working 20 hours per week or more, and will continue to work when necessary;

8. Provide a statement of your plans for work/career following your graduation;

9. Choose two non-family members (ex: teacher, counselor, manager/supervisor, coach, church leader, etc.) who sing your praises.  If you are selected as a Scholarship Finalist, they will each be asked to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. 

10. If chosen as a finalist, a brief interview will be scheduled for you with the Scholarship Selection Committee via Zoom. 

11. Finalists will be asked to provide a photo headshot for our announcement of Scholarship Winners.

Rolling Deadlines for 2024-2025:

FALL 2024
The first round of scholarship applications are due August 31, 2024. They will be awarded in October 2024. 

SPRING 2025
The second round of scholarship applications are due February 28, 2025. They will be awarded in April 2025.

Your application will be considered for the round you apply in, and any rounds that follow.

Selection

The 431 Exchange will accept and evaluate the first 100 qualified applicants per deadline. The grants will be offered on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. 

Questions

For scholarship questions, email info@431exchange.org.

Hear from our Scholarship Winners in these video interviews to get inspired!