Applications are now open for service providers seeking to participate in Louisiana’s first education scholarship account (ESA). Set to open for the 2025-2025 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program empowers parents to choose the education that best fits their child’s unique needs. This new program awards scholarship accounts to eligible students that parents can use for a menu of approved education services like nonpublic school tuition and fees, tutoring, and other approved resources.
Service provider applications can now be completed online at lagator.la.gov and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Student applications will be open March 1 to April 15, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.
Along with nonpublic school tuition and fees, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program allows participating families to use their funds for a variety of qualifying education expenses offered by approved service providers. Participating service providers can include a business, individual, nonprofit organization, city or parish public school, public charter school, or other entity that offers educational materials, courses, or educational services that are qualifying ESA expenses.
Public school services, including educational classes, are an allowable expense for families participating in the LA GATOR Scholarship Program. Public School Governing Authorities that would like to have one or more of their schools provide offerings for LA GATOR must submit an application that includes a letter from their superintendent confirming the school’s ability to participate as a service provider, a copy of each school’s disciplinary policies, a description of educational qualifications, and attestations that are required by program policy.
Public School Governing Authorities will need to have a Stripe account to accept payments from families through the Odyssey platform.
The LDOE has partnered with Odyssey to manage the program’s application process and marketplace. Odyssey is operating the program’s call center and email help desk.
Odyssey has also made a suite of information and resources available to service providers, including a video tutorial that walks through the application process.
The LA GATOR Scholarship Program is Louisiana’s first ESA, providing scholarship accounts to eligible students. Parents can use these funds for approved educational services, such as:
Signed into law by Governor Landry, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program represents a significant step in expanding educational freedom in Louisiana. It complements the state’s numerous school choice offerings, which include traditional public schools, public charter schools, nonpublic schools, and home study programs.
Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program will replace the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP). LSP students will receive priority access to LA GATOR, but must submit an application when the portal opens on March 1. To ensure a smooth transition, the LDOE is providing additional resources for LSP families, including a dedicated webinar and application guidance materials.
Families currently participating in LSP who have not been receiving updates about LA GATOR from their school and the LDOE are encouraged to contact the call center or email help desk.
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