This article is intended for Louisiana parents to understand the different phases of the GATOR Program.
In the initial phase of program implementation, student eligibility shall be determined in accordance with §1505 of this Chapter. Upon legislative appropriation of funds sufficient to provide for program participation of all students eligible according to phase 1 criteria, additional applications shall be accepted from students meeting phase 2 eligibility criteria according to this Section. Should sufficient funds exist after all students eligible according to phase 2 criteria have been granted participation, additional applications shall be accepted from students meeting phase 3 eligibility criteria according to this Section.
In Phase 1, for a student to be eligible for an ESA, the student must be a resident of Louisiana and meet one of the following:
- Participated in the Louisiana Scholarship Program previous school year
- Entering kindergarten
- Enrolled in a public school the previous school year
- From a family with total income at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines
In Phase 2, for a student to be eligible for an ESA, the student must be a resident of Louisiana and meet at least one of the following:
- The student is entering kindergarten.
- The student was enrolled in a public school for the previous school year.
- The student is from a family with a total income at or below four hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
In Phase 3, for a student to be eligible for an ESA, the student must be a resident of Louisiana.