Louisiana Scholarship Program
School Requirements
- Private schools must be approved by the state to participate; Public schools must be rated “A” or “B” by the state
- Comply with health and safety codes
- Must not discriminate on basis of race, color, or national origin
- Must use an open admissions process in enrolling scholarship recipients
- Administer all LA state examinations required under the school and district accountability system
- To remain eligible to accept new students, a private school must receive a Scholarship Cohort Index of at least 50
- Private schools in operation less than two years cannot have more than 20 percent of students receiving scholarships
- Submit to the state an annual independent financial audit conducted by a certified public accountant
- Conduct criminal background checks on all school employees
- Private schools must maintain a curriculum of quality at least equal to that prescribed for public schools
Student Eligibility
- Louisiana resident
- Household income that does not exceed 250% of the federal poverty guidelines ($64,375 for a four-person household in 2019)
- Either entering kindergarten, enrolled in a public school with a C, D, F, or T grade on both October 1 and February 1 of the current school year or a continuing Scholarship student
Homeschool students and students in grades K-12 who currently attend nonpublic schools are not eligible.
When to Apply
The application period for the 2020-2021 school year opens in November (New Orleans) and January (statewide).
Students Enrolled in 2018-2019
Applications Received for 2018-2019
Schools Participating in 2017-2018
Districts with Participating Schools
Approximate Average Scholarship for 2017-2018
The publicly funded Louisiana Scholarship Program is designed to provide students with additional opportunities to attend the school of their choice. Student applicants are eligible to receive state-funded scholarships to enroll in participating nonpublic schools or high-performing public schools.