Tuition Assistance Programs for New Students – 2025-2026 School Year
SMHS encourages all families that are concerned about their child’s accessibility to St. Michael to apply for tuition assistance. There are multiple programs available below and applications for more than one program can be submitted. For any questions or concerns about tuition assistance programs, please contact Lori Steib in the Registrars Office, Susan Thibodeaux in the Finance Office, or President Ryan Empson.
LA GATOR Scholarship Program
The LA GATOR Scholarship Program is Louisiana's first education scholarship account (ESA), providing scholarship accounts to eligible students. LA GATOR stands for Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise and was created to ensure that all students have access to diverse educational opportunities. Parents can use the LA GATOR funds for approved educational services, including tuition and fees to attend the non-public school of their choice.
• Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the LA GATOR Scholarship Program will replace the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP or LA Believes). Current LSP students will receive priority access to LA GATOR but MUST SUBMIT an application when the portal opens. An LA GATOR Families FAQ page with useful information for existing LSP families can be found HERE.
• New students entering the LA GATOR Program from a public school are eligible regardless of the School Performance Score of the public school they are exiting.
• The LA GATOR application window for the 2025-2026 school year begins Saturday, March 1, 2025 and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
• The LA GATOR Scholarship Program web page serves as the central hub for information about the program. The site will be regularly updated with important program details and resources, including the rules and regulations set forth by the LDOE. To receive email updates about LA GATOR, sign up HERE.
• Parents considering an application to the LA GATOR Scholarship Program should contact Mrs. Lori Steib, St. Michael Registrar as soon as possible.
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
Louisiana School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities
The State of Louisiana School Choice Program (SCP) for Certain Students with Exceptionalities is designed to empower families of qualifying students to choose the school that best addresses their child’s needs. Students with disabilities in East Baton Rouge Parish are eligible to participate and can use the award to send their special needs child to an eligible participating school with special needs programs.
• Students participating in the SCP must meet certain eligibility criteria including having one or more of a specific identified learning exceptionality, have a current IEP/504 plan, and is eligible to attend a Louisiana public school in grades K-12. The awards are not income based; new families only need to submit proof of Louisiana residency to St. Michael by Friday, March 14, 2025.
• The SCP provides tuition assistance at a rate of 50% of the state per pupil funding for the student's school district and the amount awarded cannot exceed the cost of the private school tuition. Families are responsible for paying the difference if tuition exceeds that amount.
• The School Choice Program application window for the 2025-2026 school year begins Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes on Friday, March 7, 2025. The Louisiana Department of Education conducts a lottery to award student participation, with a priority given to continuing students.
• For more complete information on the Louisiana School Choice program, an informational brochure may be downloaded HERE.
• For questions or assistance, contact the Office of School Choice program at studentscholarships@la.gov.
Click HERE to apply!
ACE Scholarships Program
The ACE Scholarships Program-Louisiana is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice. It is a Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency. An ACE Scholarship provides partial tuition assistance and in the recent past, the award amount has averaged $4500.
• Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• The ACE Scholarships Program application window for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
• Any parent needing help with this process may contact the St. Michael Registrar for assistance.
• Applications for the ACE Program are now made directly through the FACTS link on the ACE Louisiana information/application page. An informational brochure may be downloaded HERE.
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
Arete Scholars Program
The Arete Scholars Program is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice. It is a Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency. An Arete Scholarship provides partial tuition assistance. Maximum awards for the 2025-2026 school year are $4,950 for grades 9-12.
• Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• The Arete Scholarship application window for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and closes on May 31, 2025 (or until the maximum number of applications are received). Arete Scholarships are provided on a first-applied, first-awarded basis and new applications are accepted as funds are available. Priority is given to returning Arete students and applicants who attended school on a Louisiana Scholarship Program award during the previous school year. There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application.
• Applications for the Arete Program are made directly through the Arete website (www.aretescholars.org)
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
Aspiring Scholars Program
The Arete Scholars Program is designed to provide students in Grades K - 12 with additional opportunities to attend the non-public school of their choice. It is a Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program.
- Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and Louisiana residency.
- Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
- The Arete Scholarship application window for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Priority is given to applicants who attended school on a Louisiana Scholarship Program award during the previous school year.
- There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application.
- Applications for the Aspiring Scholars Program are made directly through the Aspiring Scholars website (https://aspiringscholarsla.org/for-scholars)
Click HERE for more information and to apply!
St. Michael and Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance Programs
Diocese of Baton Rouge families receiving assistance through Tuition Donation Credit Programs are also eligible for Black & Indian Mission Fund and Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance for students enrolled in a Catholic high school or the special ed SWORD Program. All school and diocesan tuition assistance awards are apportioned to the school and not individuals, and St. Michael will inform the family of any award. Students who receive a scholarship from a student tuition organization (STO) or a state scholarship are ineligible for tuition assistance.
St. Michael Tuition Assistance
St. Michael Tuition Assistance Program is designed to provide our students with additional opportunities to further their Catholic education.
- Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family and provides partial tuition assistance distributed according to need. Application for assistance is not a guarantee that assistance will be provided. A letter of special circumstance is highly encouraged to explain your personal situation.
- The St. Michael application window opens Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
- There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS: https://online.factsmgt.com/aid
Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance
The Diocese of Baton Rouge Tuition Assistance Program is designed to provide students in grades K-12 in Catholic schools with additional opportunities to further their Catholic education.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family, and the funding provides partial tuition assistance distributed according to need. Application for assistance is not a guarantee that assistance will be provided. A letter of special circumstance is highly encouraged to explain your personal situation.
• The Bishop’s Annual Appeal application window opens Monday, February 3, 2025 and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS: https://online.factsmgt.com/aid
The Black and Indian Mission Fund
The Black and Indian Mission Fund (B&I) is designed to provide African American Catholics or Native American Catholics in grades K-12 in Catholic schools with additional opportunities to further their Catholic education.
Donations received by the national organization provide partial tuition assistance to Black or American Indian students in Grades K – 12 who attend Catholic schools based on financial need.
• Applicants are eligible based on level of income for the family, and the funding provides partial tuition assistance distributed according to need. Application for assistance is not a guarantee that assistance will be provided. A letter of special circumstance is highly encouraged to explain your personal situation.
• The Black and Indian Mission Fund application window opens Monday, February 3, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Application and acceptance to St. Michael High school is required.
• There is a nominal processing fee for completing an application through FACTS: https://online.factsmgt.com/aid