Louisiana: Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program

Accounts will be funded quarterly by the State Department of Education. The amount of funds to be allocated to each account will be determined by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. An appropriation of funds by the legislature each year shall fund the program.

• Income Limit: Phase One: 250% x Poverty; Phase Two: 400% x Poverty; Phase Three: None, Priority Given to Households at or below 250% x Poverty
• Prior year Public School Requirement: During Phase One and Two, Prior Public Enrollment is One Possible Eligibility Pathway, but Not a Requirement
• Testing Mandates: State or Federal (Except IEP Status)
• Special Needs Pathway: None

The LA GATOR Program, a Louisiana education savings account initiative, will roll out in three phases with no set timeline for start dates or durations. Students can participate through in-person, virtual, or hybrid education models.

In Phase 1, eligibility requires meeting one of four criteria:

1. Participation in the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program during the prior school year
2. Entering kindergarten
3. Enrollment in a public school during the previous school year
4. Family income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty (FPL) ($78,000 for a family of four in 2024-2025).

Priority in Phase 1 goes to students from the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, which supports students with family incomes up to 250% of the FPL who are entering kindergarten or attending a public school rated C, D, F, or T (Recovery School District).

In Phase 2, eligibility expands to include students entering kindergarten, those enrolled in a public school the previous year, or those from families with incomes up to 400% of the FPL ($124,800 for a family of four in 2024).

In Phase 3, eligibility becomes universal, with equal priority given the students qualifying for the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities or those family incomes at or below 250% of the FPL. To qualify for the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities, a student must be eligible for Louisiana public schools, have an IEP or service plan for one of six specific exceptionalities, reside in a parish with a population under 190,000, and not be classified as gifted or talented.

The LA GATOR Program opens enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year no later than March 1, 2026, allowing families to apply for education savings accounts. These funds can be flexibly used to cover expenses at multiple participating schools or service providers, such as private schools, tutors, or other approved educational services, giving families the freedom to customize their child’s education.

The following steps are a general outline for the application process for the LA GATOR program:

1. Create a Parent Account or Login: Navigate to the application website and create a parent account by providing key information (e.g., First Name, Last Name, E-mail Address, a password)
2. Start the Application with the following steps:

1. Step 1: Parent or Guardian Information
2. Step 2: Student Information
3. Step 3: Residency and Income Information

For a full step-by-step guide, including how to upload documents and track your status, visit the official LA GATOR Scholarship application guide viewed here.

Students enrolled in the LA GATOR program will benefit from having a wide array of educational options. Families may choose to expend account funds on the following:

• Tuition and fees at nonpublic school/nonpublic online learning programs
• Curricula and textbooks or other instructional materials including supplemental materials required by a school or provider
• Tuition, fees, materials, and exam fees at career and technical schools
• Fees for the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) tests, national norm-referenced exams, AP exams, or college admissions tests
• Educational services and therapies, including occupational and behavioral, physical, speech-language and audiology
• Tuition and fees for dual enrollment at postsecondary institutions
• Any other educational expenses approved by the state board

Funds in a student’s account that are not used in a given school year shall be retained in the account for future use until the student is no longer eligible to participate in the program.

Additional Program Guidelines

• Enrollment Cap: None Set Yet
• Account Value: Future Determination by BESE
• Budget Cap: Determined by Future Appropriations

Participant and Family Guidelines

• The Administrator’s Parent Handbook Will Be Linked Here When Available
• Education Requirements: Ensure participating student receives an education in at least English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science
• Parent Supplemented Funds/Scholarships: Allowed
• Disbursement/Payment Frequency: Quarterly
• Reimbursement: Not permitted
• Miscellaneous: Submit an application as established by the department

Education Provider Guidelines

• Accreditation/Approval: Nonpublic schools must be approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Employment Standards: Comply with state laws
• Nondiscrimination: Nonpublic schools must be approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as compliant with Brumfield et al. v. Dodd et al., 425 F. Supp. 528 (E.D. La. 1976), which prohibits racial segregation and racial discrimination
• Calendar/Curriculum/Attendance: Meet program of study standards set by state board (BESE)
• Financial: District schools may accept funds for providing qualifying services to participating GATOR students, may not include these students in student-count purposes for receiving state funds
• Miscellaneous:

• Meet standards established by the state board (BESE) pertaining to health, safety, and program of study
• Report full-time tuition and fees to the department annually

• Shall apply to participate

(Last updated December 12, 2024)

R.S. 17:236(A), 17:3996(B)(82), 17:4014, 17:4037.1-17:4037.12, 17:5029(F), and 39:1554(U)

(Last updated April 21, 2025)