Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program

The Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit (DTC) Program is a tax-credit scholarship program funded by private donors that provides tuition assistance to low-income Louisiana families. Businesses and individuals donate to School Tuition Organizations (STOs) and receive a state income tax credit of up to 95% of the donated amount. STOs then award scholarships to eligible families for approved, participating private schools.

Program Type: Tax-credit scholarship funded by private donors

What It Supports: Tuition assistance at approved nonpublic schools. School Tuition Organizations (STOs) manage applications and award scholarships to eligible families.

Who It Serves: Low-income families earning ≤250% of federal poverty level (~$80,375 for family of four)

Priority System:

1. Returning TDC or Louisiana Scholarship Program participants
2. Students transferring from D- or F-rated public schools
3. New applicants on a first-come, first-served basis

Maximum Funding:

• Grades K–8: Up to ~$4,350 (80% of state average per-pupil funding)
• Grades 9–12: Up to ~$4,900 (90% of state average per-pupil funding)

How It Works:

1. Businesses and individuals donate to approved nonprofit School Tuition Organizations (STOs)
2. Donors receive a 95% state income tax credit plus a federal tax deduction
3. Families apply directly to participating STOs
4. STOs review applications and award scholarships based on program criteria
5. Families enroll their child at an approved, participating private school
6. The STO disburses quarterly scholarship payments to the school

Current Active STOs:

• ACE Scholarships – acescholarships.org
• Arete Scholars
• Aspiring Scholars
• San Damiano Scholarship Foundation
• Son of a Saint Scholars – sonofasaint.org

Program Status: The Louisiana Tuition Donation Credit Program has been active since 2012. In 2023–2024, approximately 3,316 students participated across 190 approved schools.

Application Timing: Varies by School Tuition Organization; typically rolling basis throughout the year. Awards are first-come, first-served with priority for returning students. Contact individual STOs for specific application windows and deadlines.

Capacity: No state-imposed cap; awards depend on donor contributions to each STO

Portability: TDC scholarships are portable across participating schools. If your child changes schools mid-year, the scholarship can transfer.

Important Restrictions: TDC students cannot concurrently participate in:

• Other STO scholarships (can only accept one STO scholarship per academic year, though multiple STOs may award a student)
• Louisiana Scholarship Program scholarships (program ended June 2025)
• LA GATOR Scholarship

STO Requirements: Each STO must:

• Maintain 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Use at least 95% of donations for student scholarships (no more than 5% for administrative costs)
• Submit quarterly enrollment reports to Louisiana Department of Education
• Comply with nondiscrimination standards

Louisiana Department of Education – Tuition Donation Credit Program →