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Established in 1939, McNeese State University is nationally ranked as one of the top public universities in the United States, is recognized as one of the finest regional universities in the South, and is known as having one of the best returns on investment for tuition and high average starting salaries for its graduates. For over 75 years, McNeese has been trusted and respected as an innovation and academic excellence institution. Located in one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, the University also serves as an economic and workforce development partner for Southwest Louisiana employers seeking well-prepared employees. We are changing lives by providing excellence with a personal touch. Our faculty members go above and beyond classroom duties by mentoring our students to inspire them and help them achieve their academic and career goals. McNeese State University seeks to strengthen the value of student academic achievement by fostering a learning environment that is based on honesty, respect, fairness, responsibility, and excellence. The University expects all academic community members to demonstrate honesty and integrity in all relationships and all coursework. Our programs are competitive with leading universities and prepare our students for success. Taught by the first-class faculty who are here to give you the one-on-one attention you deserve, your classes will be impactful from day one. Students from all six of our colleges and our graduate school are equipped to play active roles as business and community leaders. The Department of Financial Aid at McNeese State University welcomes the opportunity to assist you with funding as you enroll at McNeese. We administer the federal, state, and institutional programs available to you in the form of grants, student loans, and jobs on campus. One of the office's primary functions is to administer programs that provide financial assistance to students of McNeese State University. The type and amount of aid available to a student usually depend on need and academic achievement, although other factors may be considered. Since every student is eligible for assistance, we encourage you to contact us for more information regarding the application process. The Scholarship Office coordinates the application selection and disbursement processes for the McNeese academic scholarship program, all university scholarships, private scholarships awarded by various organizations, companies, entities, and the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) functions as the focal point of McNeese State University's research activities. All grants and contracts are processed through the ORSP for approval, budget verification, reproduction, and submittal to the appropriate funding agency. Upon award, all grants and contracts are administered by ORSP. ORSP maintains a library of grant and contract sources and assists faculty in grant/contract preparation and submittal. The Office of Student Affairs offers programs and services designed to engage you in campus life, provide support to reach your goals, and create a culture where differing ideas and perspectives are valued, respected, and affirmed. Student Affairs promotes undergraduate and graduate student development through engagement in extracurricular activities and leadership development, experiential residence life programming, student support services, and civic responsibility. The mission of the Office of Disability Services is to provide extensive post-secondary services for emotionally, physically, and learning impaired students. Goals include facilitating the transition from high school to college to help students develop the necessary skills to succeed in college to provide counseling, including career counseling, and assist in the successful transition from college to employment. The Office of Disability Services provides academic support services and academic adjustments for all disabled students enrolled at this institution recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The department's significant responsibility is to offer services such as monitored testing, interpreters, and note-takers for students with disabilities that qualify for these academic adjustments. In 1939, Louisiana opened the Lake Charles Junior College, a division of Louisiana State University and the forerunner of McNeese State University. The following year, the school changed its name to John McNeese Junior College to honor John McNeese, a renowned Southwest Louisiana educator and the first superintendent of schools in Imperial Calcasieu Parish. In 1950, McNeese became a four-year college in its own right and came under the Louisiana Board of Education authority. Finally, in 1970, McNeese State University became the official name of the school. As a member of the University of Louisiana System and a selective admissions institution, McNeese offers programs through the Department of General and Basic Studies and six academic colleges: Business, Education, Engineering and Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Nursing, and Health Professions, and Science and Agriculture. McNeese's student body comprises students from throughout Louisiana, the United States, and approximately 50 countries. McNeese achieved Commission on Colleges/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation in 1954 and maintains its regional accreditation status as a Level IV institution authorized to award associate, bachelor, master, and specialist degrees. The University also provides opportunities for continuing education in support of its mission to value lifelong learning. View full university