Specialty license plate program to fund new scholarships for returning students

The UL Lafayette Alumni Association is partnering with UL Lafayette Online to bring a new scholarship offering through its specialty license plate program. The new scholarship, called the Comeback Scholarship, is for individuals who have previously enrolled at the University and are looking to return to finish their degree.

Dr. Claire Arabie, the University’s director of the Office of Distance Learning, knows the importance that this scholarship can have. “Typically, about 50% of our undergraduate online program students are re-entry students who attended UL Lafayette in the past and are now returning later in life to complete their bachelor’s degree online. This [scholarship] aims to help those students get started again, be successful and graduate,” she said.

For returning students to be eligible for the Comeback Scholarship, they must have been previously enrolled in a UL Lafayette degree program, have earned at least 60 college credit hours and meet all criteria for re-entry students.

The scholarship will be funded through the Alumni Association’s specialty license plate program. A portion of all UL Lafayette specialty license plate proceeds benefits Alumni Association scholarships and will now specifically be focused on funding the new Comeback Scholarship.

Arabie has a specialty license plate, which makes this new scholarship even more meaningful to her. “It makes it even more impactful to have the specialty license plate and to know that I’m contributing to help the students that I support every day. Education can truly change lives,” she said.

The UL Lafayette Online team is ready to support all students who are considering returning to the University with the help of the Comeback Scholarship. “Our enrollment specialists on our online student support team are there for them throughout their entire journey. From enrollment to graduation, they are by their side to help them earn their degree. We are here to help them fulfill their dream of being a UL Lafayette graduate.” Arabie said.

The Comeback Scholarship is currently in a pilot phase, with plans to fully launch in the beginning of fall 2025. The UL Lafayette Alumni Association is thrilled to be partnering with UL Lafayette Online for this incredible new scholarship offering to help Ragin’ Cajuns cross the finish line toward their degree. For more information on the Comeback Scholarship, please email online@louisiana.edu.

Photo caption: University of Louisiana at Lafayette specialty license place for the state of Louisiana. Photo credit: Courtney Bergeron / University of Louisiana at Lafayette