Taking charge of your child’s education can look different for every family, homeschooling, switching schools, or mixing and matching learning tools. But one thing stays the same: it takes financial support to make it work. Starting in 2025, Louisiana families can get that support through the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship, also known as LA GATOR Scholarship. This new Education Savings Account (ESA) program provides eligible families up to $15,253 a year to spend on approved educational expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, online classes, or learning materials.
If you're wondering how it all works, who qualifies, what the funds cover, and how to apply, stick around to the end of this guide! With a bit of planning and the right tools, the LA GATOR Scholarship can help you build an educational setup that truly supports your child’s learning goals.
What is an ESA?
An Education Savings Account (ESA) is a program that gives families more control over how their child’s share of public education funding, often called per-pupil funding, is spent. Instead of directing those dollars to a public school, the state deposits them into an account that eligible families can use for approved educational services and materials.
Each ESA program is a little different, but many allow families to use funds for tutoring, curriculum, online courses, or learning tools. Some also prioritize students with special needs and cover expenses like educational therapies, assistive technology, or specialized instruction.
In Louisiana, this model is being introduced through the new LA GATOR Scholarship.
Who qualifies for the Louisiana Empowerment Scholarship?
To use LA GATOR Scholarship funds for your child’s education, you’ll need to meet a few eligibility requirements. Here’s a clear breakdown of who qualifies, so you can see if your family is a good fit and start planning your next steps:
- Your child is a Louisiana resident
- Your child is eligible to enter kindergarten
- Your child was enrolled in a public school on both October 1 and February 1 of the 2024–2025 school year
- Your family's income falls within 250% of the Federal Poverty Line
- Your family participated in the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) for the 2024 school year
Award amounts and eligible expenses under the LA GATOR Program
One of the biggest questions families have is: how much support is actually available? The answer depends on your child’s needs and the kind of school they attend. For the 2025–2026 school year:
- Students with special needs could receive up to $15,253
- Students from a family with a total income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines could receive $7,626
- Other students could qualify for up to $5,243
The exact amount will vary based on your application, but these figures give you a good sense of what’s possible.
What Expenses Can LA GATOR Funds Cover?
Every ESA program comes with clear rules on how funds can be used—and LA GATOR Scholarship is no exception. Knowing what’s covered (and what’s not) helps you make the most of your scholarship while staying in good standing with the program. Here’s what you can use LA GATOR funds for:
- Nonpublic school tuition and fees
- Tuition or fees at state-approved private schools or online nonpublic programs
- Educational materials and supplies
- Curriculum, textbooks, workbooks, and educational software
- Learning kits, manipulatives, notebooks, pens, sensory items, and other basic school supplies
- Musical instruments
- One instrument purchase every two years, with a cap of $500
- Technology and devices
- Tablets, laptops, desktops (excluding gaming systems)
- Accessories like monitors, printers, ink, keyboard, mouse, stylus, calculators
- Other approved tools like 3D printers, robotics kits, and assistive devices (each with its own price cap)
- Therapy and educational assessments
- Licensed services including occupational, speech-language, physical, behavioral health, audiology, vision, adaptive PE, and counseling
- Educational assessments such as LEAP, MAP, SAT, ACT, AP, and CLEP tests (within set limits)
- Tutoring and learning programs
- One-on-one tutoring in subjects like reading, math, or test prep
- Live online classes, certified courses, vocational training, life skills instruction, and supplemental public school classes
- Career and dual enrollment programs
- Tuition and fees for technical education or approved dual-enrollment college courses
- Uniforms and enrichment programs
- Required school-day uniforms (if attending a participating school)
- After-school, before-school, and summer academic programs
- Parent support services
- Professional help with selecting and applying for education services (with a limit on how much can be spent)
- Additional approved expenses
- School fees, educational subscriptions, nonfiction and foreign-language books, and other state-approved learning materials
For the full list of eligible expenses and the most up-to-date guidelines, visit the official LA GATOR Program page on the Odyssey platform.
How Do I Apply for the Louisiana Empowerment Scholarship?
Getting started with the LA GATOR Program application is simple, and knowing what to prepare ahead of time can make the process even smoother.
To apply, you'll need a few basic documents:
- Proof of Louisiana residency (like a utility bill, lease, or driver's license)
- Proof of household income (such as a 1040 Tax form)
- Social security number(s) of the student(s)
- Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) of the parents/guardians
Once you have these ready, you can apply through the Odyssey platform. You’ll be asked to create an account, upload your documents, and fill out an application form assessing your qualification for the LA GATOR program.
The application window typically opens each winter for the following school year.
For full step-by-step guidance, including how to upload documents and track your status, visit the official LA GATOR Scholarship application guide on Odyssey and their documentation checklist.
Using your LA GATOR Scholarship funds on Outschool
Outschool is preparing to launch for Louisiana families using the LA GATOR scholarship. While we’re not yet an approved vendor, we’re actively working to meet program requirements so families can use their ESA funds on eligible learning experiences through Outschool.
Once approved, you may be able to use LA GATOR funds for:
- Live, small-group classes taught by expert educators
- One-on-one tutoring personalized to your learner’s goals
- Self-paced courses across core subjects and enrichment topics
- Supplemental learning for homeschool, private, or hybrid education
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about LA GATOR
Looking to understand how the LA GATOR Scholarship works for your family? Here are clear answers to help you make the most of these education funds and create the perfect learning plan for your child.
Can I use my LA GATOR Scholarship funds for homeschooling?
You have the freedom to create a customized home learning experience using your education funds. You can choose from a wide variety of approved resources including online classes, learning materials, enrichment activities, and educational tools. Your choices might include math and science courses, art supplies, learning apps, or one-on-one tutoring, all based on what works best for your child.
What are the income guidelines to qualify?
There’s no strict income cap to qualify for LA GATOR. During Phase 1, families earning up to 250% of the federal poverty line (about $80,000 for a family of four) may qualify, but income is just one of several pathways. Your child may also be eligible if they’re entering kindergarten, previously received a Louisiana Scholarship, or attended a public school on both October 1 and February 1 of the 2024–2025 school year. Meeting any one of these criteria can make your child eligible.
How long can my child keep their LA GATOR scholarship?
Your child can continue using their education funds year after year until high school graduation or their 21st birthday. You'll just need to complete a simple yearly renewal to confirm your child is still learning and growing with their personalized education plan. No new application needed, just a quick check-in to keep the funds flowing.
Can I pair LA GATOR funds with other education scholarships?
No, you cannot stack funds from LA GATOR with other state scholarships or 3rd party scholarships from:
- A home study program approved by the state board
- A home study program registered with the department as a nonpublic school, not seeking state approval
- The Course Choice Program
- The School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
- The Tuition Donation Tax Credit Program
Students may be eligible to receive additional funding from 3rd party sources, provided that those sources are not listed above or prohibited by law.
Personalized Education, powered by choice
The LA GATOR Scholarship gives you more flexibility to shape your child’s education around what matters most, personalized support, expanded options, or a better fit for how your child learns. It’s a new way to take charge of your educational journey, with resources to back it up.
If you’re weighing your options, use this guide as a starting point. Every program is a little different, but they all share one goal: helping families access learning that truly supports their child’s growth. At Outschool, we know how important it is to have choices that align with your values, goals, and learning style, and we’re excited to soon support Louisiana families as these opportunities continue to grow.
More resources for Louisiana homeschoolers
To learn more about financial support for homeschool families, start with our guide to the Louisiana homeschool tax deduction.
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