Jesuit High School students cross Banks street after dismissal in New Orleans, La., Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.
Jesuit High School students cross Banks street after dismissal in New Orleans, La., Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.
Nearly 14,000 eligible Louisiana families have signed up for the state’s new LA GATOR scholarship program since applications opened this month, according to new state data, suggesting that demand for the stipends will almost certainly exceed supply.
The centerpiece of Gov. Jeff Landry’s education agenda, the new program will give tax dollars to eligible families to help pay for private-school tuition or approved expenses, such as tutoring, textbooks or special-education services. The application period, which started March 1 and runs through April 15, is being closely watched as an early indicator of public interest in the scholarships.
Proponents are sure to point to the figures when state lawmakers convene next month to hammer out the state budget and decide on funding for programs, including LA GATOR.
The initial application numbers show that “people across the entire state are interested” in the program and “looking for opportunities for their children,” said state Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, who chairs the Senate Education Committee and carried the LA GATOR bill last year. “I think that will catch legislators’ attention.”
About 16,700 families have applied online for the program since March 1, and more than 13,900 have been deemed eligible, according to data provided Monday by the Louisiana Department of Education. Roughly 1,800 of the submitted applications are still under review.
The scholarships will range from $5,200 for families who don’t qualify as low-income to $15,200 for students with disabilities. Recipients will be able to spend the money on tuition at participating private schools and a wide variety of state-approved expenses, including laptops, extracurricular activities and school uniforms.
But it’s almost certain that the state will not grant scholarships to every eligible family that applies. If demand exceeds funding, the state will give priority to students who currently receive school vouchers, followed by low-income students and students with disabilities.
“Participation is always going to be determined by appropriation” by the Legislature, said state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley in a recent interview, adding that he believes Landry will “fight for funding for GATOR.”
Last month, Landry proposed putting $93.5 million into LA GATOR next school year, its first in operation. That would fund just under 11,500 scholarships, according to estimates in the governor’s spending plan.
If the state Legislature goes along with Landry’s plan, some 2,500 eligible families would not get scholarships, based on current numbers. And the gap between supply and demand will likely grow as more families apply before next month’s deadline.
It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will agree to the full $93.5 million Landry proposed, which is double what the state spends annually on vouchers to help low-income families afford private school. LA GATOR will replace school vouchers, and current voucher students are guaranteed scholarships if they apply.
Last year, Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, and other lawmakers tried to scale back the proposed scholarship program amid concerns about its potentially huge cost and strong opposition from public-education advocates who said the program will drain resources from cash-strapped public schools while sending tax dollars to loosely regulated private and religious schools.
After Landry and proponents of the bill mounted a pressure campaign that included TV ads attacking reluctant lawmakers, the Legislature ultimately passed the LA GATOR bill mostly along party lines, with most Republicans in support and most Democrats opposed.
Now lawmakers will decide during the upcoming Legislative session, which begins April 14, how much money to give the program. Their decision will determine how many families get scholarships next school year — and how many will be left emptyhanded.
LA GATOR supporters hope the application numbers will convince lawmakers to give the program at least the amount Landry requested.
“I think the parent response sends a clear message,” said Ronnie Morris, president of the state board of education. “Obviously there’s a significant number of parents that are interested in this opportunity.”
Students who received school vouchers this year and children from families with a total income at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines ($80,375 for a family of four) are eligible for scholarships next school year. Incoming kindergarteners and public-school students from families with any level of income are also eligible.
Current voucher students will continue receiving tuition money if they apply for LA GATOR. As of Monday, about half of the roughly 5,600 voucher students had signed up for the new program, but education department officials said they expect the number to grow.
In a statement Monday, Landry celebrated the initial application numbers.
“The high demand for the LA GATOR Scholarship Program shows the value this program provides to families across our state,” he said. “Expanding school choice and ensuring parents are in charge of their child’s education will continue to be our top priority.”
Email Patrick Wall at patrick.wall@theadvocate.com.
It’s a new era for school choice in Louisiana.
It’s officially GATOR season.
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