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LA · State Guide

Louisiana LA GATOR Scholarship Guide 2026–2027

Louisiana's GATOR program replaces the prior voucher with an ESA that begins with priority populations and phases toward universal.

By The School Choice Index Editorial TeamPublished Last verified

At a glance

Amount per student

≈$7,300

Universal ESA

Application window

Closed for 2026–2027

Application window was March 1–16, 2026 (closed). Returning LA GATOR students had to renew during this window to maintain 2026–2027 eligibility.

Status

Phasing In

Enacted 2024

Official sources checked. Figures on this page were verified against Louisiana Department of Education’s published materials as of . Programs change — confirm current rules with the administrator before applying or spending.

Program Type

Universal ESA

Status

Phasing In

Award Amount

≈$7,300

Enacted

2024

Administrator

Louisiana Department of Education

Application Window

Closed for 2026–2027

Eligibility

Phasing in by income priority; universal target.

What the money can be used for

  • Tuition
  • Tutoring
  • Curriculum
  • Therapies

Generally not allowed

  • Food and groceries
  • Vehicles and fuel
  • Family vacations and non-educational travel
  • Recreational athletics fees and equipment
  • Compensation to a parent or immediate family member

See our full eligible-expenses guide for the gray areas (technology caps, transportation, religious instruction, family-member compensation).

How to apply

  1. Confirm eligibility. Phasing in by income priority; universal target.
  2. Gather documents. Proof of residency, the student’s birth certificate, the prior-year tax return (where income matters), and any IEP or 504 documentation.
  3. Open the application. The current application window: Closed for 2026–2027.
  4. Submit early. First-year programs frequently change deadlines as rules are finalized.
  5. Find approved providers. Start with the official Louisiana approved-provider list or spending platform. Our provider directory is an editorial resource and is not a state-approved list.

Curriculum & provider considerations

Start with the official Louisiana provider list, spending platform, or reimbursement rules. Our provider directory is an editorial resource and is not a state-approved list.

Curriculum and provider approval is state-specific. Before purchasing, check the official approved-provider list, marketplace, or reimbursement rules for Louisiana. Some states require provider-level, product-level, service-level, or course-level approval.

Editorial notes

Louisiana’s program was enacted in 2024. Award amounts and eligibility thresholds are reviewed each legislative session; we re-verify each state page on a rolling cadence and date-stamp the last review. See our methodology page for details. The final word on eligibility, deadlines, and approved providers is always the state administrator — verify with the Louisiana Department of Education before spending.

Get Louisiana updates by email

Monthly digest of Louisiana application-window reminders, eligibility changes, and approved-provider updates.

Last verified May 15, 2026 by The School Choice Index Editorial Team. Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with Louisiana Department of Education before applying or spending.