In 2002, the Louisiana Education Loan Authority (Lela), a division of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, launched what would become an annual statewide outreach campaign entitled "Financial Aid Awareness Month" (FAAM). The purpose of FAAM is to inform and educate Louisiana high school seniors and their families that college is attainable and that there are numerous sources of financial aid options available, as well as to remind them that February is the key time to begin the application process in order to be considered for all aid programs offered at state and federal levels. Lela is Louisiana's non-profit student loan provider whose mission is to develop projects and programs to make higher education more accessible and affordable to the people of Louisiana.