The LA GATOR Scholarship Program is a new K-12 educational initiative in Louisiana. It is an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program. This program gives state funds to parents to use for their child’s education. This empowers families to choose the best learning environment, including private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational services.
This program, officially the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship, is replacing the state’s former Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP). The new program is being introduced in phases, with the 2025-2026 school year serving as the first phase. This means eligibility is currently prioritized for specific groups of students.
This guide provides a complete LA GATOR Scholarship Program update to help you understand the program’s framework. We will cover the la gator scholarship amount, the specific la gator scholarship requirements, and the different LA GATOR Scholarship phases. We will also explain the application process, login, and important deadlines.
Also Apply for Fully Funded High School Scholarships for Students.
Scholarship Coverage and Details
The LA GATOR Scholarship is not a check sent to families. Instead, funds are deposited into a digital Education Scholarship Account (ESA). Parents manage this account through an online platform called Odyssey. This platform allows families to browse approved LA GATOR Scholarship schools and service providers and pay them directly.
The funds can be used for a wide range of approved expenses, including:
- Private school tuition and fees
- Tutoring services
- Textbooks and curricula
- Educational therapies
- Fees for exams (e.g., AP exams)
- School uniforms
The la gator scholarship amount for the 2025-2026 school year is tiered based on student eligibility:
- $7,626: For students from households with an income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level.
- $5,243: For all other eligible students.
- Up to $15,253: For students with a verified qualifying disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Eligibility Criteria
The LA GATOR Scholarship phases are designed to expand eligibility over three years:
- Phase 1 (2025-2026): Eligibility is limited to prioritized groups.
- Phase 2 (Begins 2026-2027): Eligibility is planned to expand to students from families with a total income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.
- Phase 3 (Begins 2027-2028): The program is intended to be available to all K-12 students in Louisiana, regardless of income.
- The LA GATOR Scholarship is for K-12 students, which includes all high school grades (9, 10, 11, and 12).
For the current 2025-2026 school year (Phase 1), the la gator scholarship requirements state that a student must be a resident of Louisiana and meet one of the following criteria:
- Participated in the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Is entering kindergarten.
- Was enrolled in a public school during the 2024-2025 school year.
- Comes from a household with a total income at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Due to limited funding for the first year, priority was given to students from the LSP and students from low-income households.
Application Process
The LA GATOR Scholarship application is managed online through the state’s program administrator, Odyssey.
- Create an Account: Parents first create an account on the Odyssey portal.
- Complete Application: Families then fill out the online application, which includes student information, parent/guardian information, and uploading documents to verify residency and income.
- Manage Awards: The LA GATOR Scholarship login is used to check application status. For families who receive an award, the portal becomes their tool for managing funds and paying for educational expenses.
Deadline
The application window for the 2025-2026 LA GATOR Scholarship Program is now closed.
The application period was March 1, 2025, to April 15, 2025.
For families who applied and are asking, “When will LA GATOR scholarships be awarded?“, final award notifications were sent after the Louisiana Legislature finalized the state budget, which occurred in June 2025. Families can confirm their award status by logging into their Odyssey portal account.
Apply Now
While the 2025-2026 application period is closed, all official information, program updates, and announcements for future application windows will be posted on the official Louisiana Department of Education website.
