Student Funding

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. An appropriation has not been made for the program at this time. 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.

(Last Updated- June 4, 2024)

Student Eligibility

Eligibility for the LA GATOR program will be implemented in three phases. A timeline has not been established for when the phases will begin, or the duration of each phase. Students are eligible to participate through in-person, virtual education or through a hybrid approach utilizing both in-person and virtual, or remote, education options.

During the first phase, initial eligibility is determined by the student meeting one of four criteria: participation in the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program for the previous school year, the student is entering kindergarten, enrollment in a public school for the previous school year, or the student is from a family with a total income not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty level ($78,000 for a family of four in 2024). Students participating in the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, an existing Louisiana choice voucher program, receive priority during phase one. Eligibility for the voucher program is limited to students with household incomes not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty level; they must also be either entering kindergarten, attended a public school rated as a C, D, or F in the previous school year, or were enrolled in the Recovery School District. The Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program will be administered through the end of the 2024-2025 school year, and effective June 30, 2025, further scholarships will be awarded through the program. That program is set to repeal one year after the LA GATOR program is funded.

In phase two of the program, students can qualify for the program if they are entering kindergarten, were enrolled in a public school in the previous school year or from a family with a household income not exceeding 400% of the federal poverty level ($124,800 for a family of four in 2024).

During the third phase, eligibility is universal, with equal priority to students who meet the criteria to participate in the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities or a student with a household income not exceeding 250% of the federal poverty level ($78,000 for a family of four in 2024). To qualify for the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities, a student must be eligible to attend a Louisiana public school, need services for at least one of six categories of exceptionalities, have an Individual Education Plan or service plan under Federal Regulations, reside in a parish with a population under 190,000, and not deemed gifted or talented.

(Last Updated- June 4, 2024)

EdChoice Expert Feedback

A program’s universality is measured on three points: Student eligibility, funding amount and source, and use of funds. Eligibility and funding amount and source have been explained above. Here, we explain how funds for this program may be used.

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 tuition and fees at nonpublic school, or for 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 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; and any other educational expenses approved by the state board.

Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, students participating in the program using funds for one participating school or service provider may enroll in LA GATOR. Enrollment for these students shall be made available by the department no later than March 1, 2025. Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year will be available not later than March 1, 2026 with account funds available for payment to more than one participating school or service provider.

Rules and Regulations

• Income Limit: Phase One: 250% FPL Phase Two: 400% FPL Phase Three: None, Priority 250% FPL
• Prior year public school requirement: During phase one and two, prior public enrollment is one possible eligibility pathway, but not a requirement
• Geographic limit: Statewide
• Enrollment Cap: None set at this time, BESE to determine further rules
• Account Value: Future determination by BESE
• Testing Mandates: State or Federal (except IEP status)
• Budget Cap: Determined by future appropriations

Parent Requirements:

• Submit an application as established by the department.
• Agrees to the following: Provide an education in at least English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science; To use funds only for qualified expenses for the participating student; and comply with all program requirements.

School Requirements:

• Approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) pursuant to R.S. 17:10 or R.S. 17:11
• Meet standards established by the state board pertaining to health, safety, and program of study as required by the state board
• In compliance with nondiscrimination criteria set forth in Brumfield, et al. v. Dodd, et al., 425 F. Supp. 528 (E.D. La. 1977)
• Nonpublic schools and service providers shall apply to participate
• Nonpublic schools must report full-time tuition and fees to the department annually

(Last Updated- June 4, 2024)

Governing Statutes

R.S. 17:236(A), 17:3996(B)(82), 17:4014, 174037.1-17:4037.12, 17:5029(F), and 39:1554(T)

(Last Updated- June 4, 2024)

Legal History

No challenges at this time.

(Last Updated- June 4, 2024)