Southern University (SU) College Connect Program

Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA) began a collaborative agreement in the fall of 2010 with Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). A similar agreement was reached with Southern University at Baton Rouge (SUBR) in the fall of 2012 and the Louisiana State University at Shreveport Campus (LSU-S) in the spring of 2016. The program offers developmental and beginning college-level courses to those students who do not meet criteria for regular admission to SUBR, SUNO or LSU-S. Such students will be allowed to enroll in the program through SUSLA and attend classes offered on the SUBR, SUNO or LSU-S campuses. SUSLA is the “HOME” campus, and the four-year institution is the “HOST” institution. When a student has completed, a minimum of, 15 transferable hours of college-level work (including college-level English and Math) and attained an overall grade point average of at least 2.0, he or she is eligible to transfer to SUBR, SUNO or LSU-S. Admissions and transfer procedures will be facilitated by admissions officers at the respective campuses.

Students enrolled in the program pay SUSLA tuition and the fees of the host campus. Financial aid applications must be submitted to SUSLA. Participants will have access to all university resources and activities on the SUBR, SUNO or LSU-S campuses and may opt to also reside in campus housing provided by the host campus.

For those who do not wish to transfer, he or she can also attain an Associate Degree with SUSLA. Those degrees include the General Studies (AGS), the Louisiana Transfer (AALT), or the Louisiana Transfer (ASLT).

Some of the requirements of participation in the SU College Connect Program include:

The applicant must first apply for admission to the four-year institution.
Applicants must pay the required application fee to the four-year institution.
Applicants are to submit all required documents to be admitted into the four-year institution.
Upon review, the four-year institution may REFER the student for participation in Connect.
The applicant may be asked to complete an application for admission on the SUSLA website, but an application fee will not be charged.
The applicant can be a first–time freshman entering college for the first time with a high school diploma or high school equivalence diploma (HiSet) from a SBESE- Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education or out of state equivalent.
High School Transcript/GED/HiSet.
American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the Accuplacer – Next Generation Test scores (for placement purposes only).

The applicant can be a transfer student and must be eligible to return to his or her prior institution(s). All transfer students will be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine eligibility based upon the number of credits earned from the prior institution(s).

Students must provide:

Transcripts from the prior institution(s).
Proof of current immunization records MUST be submitted to the “HOST” institution.

Applicants with previous test scores at other institutions who indicate need for remediation in English will be placed in INRW-098 or INRW-099. If remediation is needed in mathematics, applicants will be placed in Math-089 or Math-090. Applicants have the right to take the Accuplacer – Next Generation Test, at their own expense, to test into a higher level of either English or mathematics.

Veterans Affairs

First-time Applicants

Prior to using GI Bill benefits for the first time, one must apply for benefits to the Regional Processing Office (RPO). The RPO for Louisiana is located in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Apply for benefits online at the GI Bill website, www.gibill.va.gov.

Veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members must complete VA Form 22-1990. Those students who had benefits transferred from their sponsor need to complete a VA Form 22-1990E after their sponsor has transferred entitlement to them. Other qualifying dependents must complete VA Form 22-5490.

After the RPO processes the application (processing time is approximately 8 to 12 weeks), they will send a letter stating eligibility status, qualifying chapter, and number of months of benefits (Certificate of Eligibility). When letter is in receipt, please bring to the Registrar’s Office so a copy can be placed in your VA folder. There are additional local forms that must be completed for Southern University at Shreveport. These forms are available on the Registrar’s Office web page.

Southern University at Shreveport does not participate in the advance payment program. Chapter 31, Chapter 33 and LA State Exemption are the only chapters of the GI Bill that pay the university for tuition and fees. All of the other chapters pay the student monthly and in arrears. As a result, the student is responsible for paying all tuition and fees upfront.

Transfer Applicants

For students who have already applied for their benefits or have used their benefits at a different institution, one must complete VA Form 22-1995 (for Chapters 30, 31, 33, 1606, and 1607) or VA Form 22-5495 (for Chapter 35), as well as the local forms located in the Registrar’s Office or online. National Guard and Additional State Benefits for Louisiana Residents National Guard: The state of Louisiana has additional benefits for LA National Guard (LANG) troops. For additional information, please contact unit Education Officer.

Dependents of a Disabled Veteran

The state also offers benefits to certain dependents of veterans who were state residents prior to entering the military, and are disabled or died in the line of duty or by service connected causes. Contact the local State Veterans Affairs Office for the parish in which one resides.

Important Notes

All students are required to submit a degree plan signed by the academic advisor to the Registrar’s Office. The degree plan shows the classes required to obtain a degree at Southern University at Shreveport and will also show any transferred classes that apply toward degree.
All students are required to fill out the local Enrollment Certification VA Data Form every semester. This form is a request for certification and is authorization that one is continuing education at Southern University at Shreveport. Classes will not be certified to the RPO until the Registrar’s Office is in receipt of the Enrollment Certification VA Data Form and a curriculum sheet; if one is not on file.
If one adds or drops a course or changes a course from credit to audit during the semester, please notify the Registrar’s Office by submitting the Add/Drop form for processing.

Contact Information For questions concerning the use of VA benefits at Southern University at Shreveport, contact the Veteran Affairs representative in the Registrar’s Office.