Today, students from our President’s Leadership Program and Industrial Engineering Technology department embarks on an enriching journey to Baton Rouge, LA. Lela Mae Wilkes, President, CEO, and esteemed NSU benefactor, will host the group of NSU students.

Ms. Wilkes will share insights about Brown Eagle’s operations and her valuable life lessons. Following the presentation, our students will enjoy a special lunch at The Country Club of Baton Rouge. This trip is an excellent opportunity for practical learning and networking. We look forward to hearing about their experiences.

This week, students and faculty in the Department of Social Work represented NSU at the National Association of Social Workers/Louisiana Lobby Day in Baton Rouge. State Rep. C. Travis Johnson addressed the State House of Representatives to proclaim the day “Social Work Day”.

The event was an opportunity for advocacy training, engaging with influential speakers, and exploring a diverse resource fair. Our students gained insightful learning experiences, particularly about the Social Work Licensure Compact—an initiative to transform professional boundaries—allowing social workers to seamlessly offer their services across state lines.

Also, this week, we celebrated the School of Education’s Apple Pinning Ceremony, a significant milestone for our future educators who have now officially become teacher candidates.

This ceremony is not just a tradition; it’s a proud declaration of our students’ dedication to the field of education. Please join me in congratulating the 45 students who were pinned this week. Let’s celebrate their achievements and support them on their journey to becoming educators.

I’m excited to share the latest accomplishments of our 74th Demon Battalion. Last Saturday, our Cadets enjoyed a record-breaking Military Ball, celebrated with alumni and friends. Congratulations to Cadet Loren Higginbotham, our 2024 MG(R) Erbon W. Wise Touchstone Award recipient, for exemplary citizenship and leadership.

Also, congratulations to Cadet Arianna Astorga, our peer-selected Legacy Cadet, who continues to inspire us with her dedication and vision for her future in Army Logistics.

Looking ahead, join us on April 25th at 4:00pm in the Student Union Ballroom for our Spring Awards Ceremony. Please mark your calendars for May 9th, as Cadets Bordelon, Higginbotham, James, and Wesley commission into the Army. Cadet Astorga will commission later this summer.

As part of our commitment to keep you informed, I am pleased to provide an update from Lauren P. Jackson, Director of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, on the status of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at NSU.

Current FAFSA Processing:

As of today, all processed Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) have been loaded into our system. The Federal Student Aid (FSA) office is efficiently handling new FAFSA submissions, with an average processing time of 3-5 days from the completion date.

Communications to Students:

Students who have completed their 2024-2025 FAFSA and included NSU’s school code have been notified via email about the receipt of their application. The email also includes instructions on how to make necessary corrections, details about known issues with the FAFSA system, and advice to regularly check the FSA dashboard for updates. For a comprehensive guide on making corrections, please visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/review-and-correct.

Upcoming Reprocessing:

Due to a known issue in the FAFSA system affecting the Student Aid Index calculation, FSA plans to reprocess affected applications around May 1st. This will ensure that all students have accurate financial aid assessments.

Delayed Notifications:

Please note that due to a significant backlog in unprocessed FAFSAs, we will delay sending out full missing information notices until next week. This delay will provide additional time for students to make any necessary corrections.

Enhancements in MyNSU:

Our IT department has successfully updated MyNSU to support the 2024-2025 academic year. New features now available include:

  • Title IV form processing
  • Housing options
  • Federal Work Study applications

These services will be accessible once the viewing option for the 2024-2025 academic year is enabled for all students. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our financial aid office.

Dr. Marcus D. Jones
President
Northwestern State University