This article is intended to compile the attestations for the LA GATOR Scholarship Program.
- I affirm that I have full and legal authority to complete this application and request a scholarship for the prospective participating student(s) and to attest to and take all of the actions herein listed.
- I affirm that all information provided in support of the application for participation in the LA GATOR Scholarship Program is true, correct, and complete and that any negligent or willful misrepresentation made by the applicant may result in ineligibility to participate in the program and subject the applicant to civil and/or criminal penalties provided by law. Furthermore, I agree and hereby authorize, as part of the application process, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to verify my income and the identity of my dependent children by reviewing my state tax return records filed with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) and I specifically waive any confidentiality of such information for the specific purpose of this application.
- I understand that the State and Odyssey will take action if my information is incorrect or if any improper benefits are awarded to the LA GATOR Scholarship Program account of any of the students included in my application.
- I agree that it’s my responsibility to know and comply with all Louisiana statutory and regulatory program requirements.
- I understand this agreement is binding for as long as I participate and each child participates in the program and applies to any information given or benefit received.
- I confirm the student(s) included in this application have not been claimed on another application.
Program Policy Compliance
- I acknowledge that applying to the LA GATOR Scholarship Program does not guarantee acceptance, and not all applicants will be able to participate in the program.
- I affirm that the participating student will not be enrolled in a public school full-time while participating in the LA GATOR Scholarship Program.
- I agree to immediately disenroll from the LA GATOR program upon enrollment in a public school, home study program approved by BESE or a home study program registered with the LDOE as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, Course Choice Program, or School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
- I agree that the student shall not participate concurrently with a home study program approved by BESE or a home study program registered with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) as a nonpublic school not seeking state approval, the Course Choice Program, or the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities.
- I affirm that if the participating student enrolled in a participating school would have been entitled to receive special education services in the student’s resident school system, I will accept only such services as are available to all students enrolled in the participating school.
- If this application is for more than one student, I confirm that the participating student is a sibling as defined herein for purposes of obtaining award priority status in the program. A biologically or legally adopted brother or sister residing in the same household, or residing with a child having the same legal guardian. This definition includes children living in the following circumstances:
- Children with the same parents who live together or separately, as long as one parent meets the residency requirement;
- Step-siblings residing in the same household that meets the residency requirement;
- Half-siblings (i.e. children who share one parent with another child in the home) must reside with one parent who meets the residency requirements;
- Foster children who are legally placed by court order pursuant to LA. Children’s Code Art. 603 et. Seq. in the household with another child
- Children subject to a Court ordered guardianship pursuant to LA. Children’s Code Art. 718 et Seq.
- Additional documentation may be requested to confirm sibling preference.
- A power of attorney guardianship or temporary guardianship does not constitute a valid sibling relationship. Cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and unrelated children who share the same address with a child, but do not meet any of the requirements above are not considered siblings.
Educational Requirements
- I affirm that I will provide for the education of the participating student in at least the subjects of English language arts (ELA), mathematics, social studies, and science.
- I affirm that I will ensure to provide an education for the participating student that satisfies the compulsory school attendance requirement. Each participating student who fails to comply with the attendance requirements shall be reported to the state director of child welfare and attendance by the participating nonpublic school or service provider and shall be subject to the provisions of R.S. 17:233 which may include referral to juvenile or family court.
- I agree that the student will participate in student assessments as required by BESE policy including arranging transportation to and from the testing location.
- I affirm that neither the state nor a public school governing authority will issue diplomas for participating students. I acknowledge that diploma issuance is the responsibility of the parent or participating non-public school if applicable.
- I affirm that if we utilize the program for a home-based education I am responsible for decisions related to the sequencing of courses for my child.
Funding Compliance
- I affirm that I will use the account funds only for the qualified education expenses of the participating student.
- I acknowledge that it is a misuse of ESA funds and a violation of the LA GATOR Scholarship Program rules and procedures for an account holder to provide ESA funds directly to his or her family member(s), or to any company, corporation, or business owned by his or her family member(s). (Family member(s) shall include an account holder’s spouse, parent, step-parent, parent-inlaw, child, step-child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, spouses of his brothers and sisters, or any person who resides in the same household as a participating student.)
- I affirm that tuition is an agreement between a family and a school, and any fees not covered by the LA GATOR Scholarship Program funding are the responsibility of my family and me.
- I agree to comply with the acceptable uses of ESA funds and all responsibilities as the account holder.
- I acknowledge that all LA GATOR Scholarship Program funding is contingent upon the final program allocation made by the state legislature
- I affirm that misuse of ESA funds or fraud in obtaining said funds shall subject the applicant to civil or criminal penalties as provided by law.
Privacy Agreements and Data Use Authorization
- I agree to receive email, text, and phone call communications related to this application or my account.
- I agree to share the participating student’s personally identifiable assessment, performance, and attendance information with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to be used to monitor program effectiveness and for other purposes consistent with state law and policy.
- I consent to sharing my information and each child’s information with and by any individual or organization necessary for my participation and each child’s participation in this program, including financial information and personally identifiable information from student records under FERPA (20 U.S.C. § 1232g).
- I understand that any individual or organization will keep the information private and protected and not release it without my consent, unless my consent is not required by this release or under applicable state or federal law.
- The State of Louisiana and Odyssey may share information to verify my application information.
- I permit the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to share information relative to my total reported income and other tax information necessary for the purpose of determining my eligibility for the LA Gator program. The information will be maintained in the strictest confidence and will be used to determine my initial and continuing eligibility to receive LA GATOR funds, to verify information provided by me in my application and for reporting purposes. I acknowledge that my personal identifying information will be maintained in a secure environment and will only be shared when strictly necessary for the purposes stated herein and for audit purposes. Any reports to the legislature and other stakeholders will contain aggregated data only and will not contain my personal information in such a manner as to permit anyone reading the report the ability to identify me.