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

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Summary

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These scholarships will give families of public school students an opportunity to find a school best suited to meet the needs of their students.

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Frequently Asked Question

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How do GATOR Scholarships work?

GATOR scholarship dollars are allocated from state funds into government-authorized accounts for parents to access directly.

Can GATOR Scholarships help kids with special needs?

Yes! The proposed bill would increase funding for students with special needs to $15,000 per student.

Would homeschool students be eligible for a GATOR scholarship?

Nothing in the GATOR scholarship legislation alters the approved home study law. However, one allowable use of funds is a custom designed educational program where families can pay for multiple instructors, tutors, textbooks and curricula.

Will students who use a GATOR scholarship be tested at the end of the school year?

All students receiving a GATOR scholarship will take either the state end-of-year assessment (LEAP) or a state board approved national norm-referenced test.

Where do I find more information about the GATOR program?

You can follow along here for more information as it becomes available.

Scientific Definition

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GATOR Scholarships provide parents with a scholarship account that allows them to customize their child’s education. These scholarship accounts can be used for school tuition and fees, tutoring, educational therapies, textbooks and curricula, dual enrollment courses, uniforms, and transportation.

Video Explanation

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Who is Eligible for the GATOR Scholarships?

Resident, age 5–21 by Sep 30, 2025
• Plus one of:
• 2024–25 LSP participant
• Incoming kinder
• Public-school enrollment on Oct 1 & Feb 1
• Family ≤ 250% FPL
• Include future phases (≤ 400% FPL in phase 2, universal phase 3)

How much funding will a GATOR Scholarship provide

Legislature approved $43.5M for ~6,000 scholarships
• Tiered award amounts: Up to $15,253 (disabilities), $7,626 (≤ 250% FPL), $5,243 (others)
• Timeline: Applications Mar 1–Apr 15, 2025; notifications late June 2025; funding dependent on legislative finalization