The Governor's Program for Gifted Children

GPGC 2026 | JUNE 7 – JULY 25

Investment

At the GPGC, we believe that every qualified student should have the opportunity to attend, regardless of financial circumstances.

Thanks to generous support from the Friends of the GPGC, we are able to offer sliding scale financial aid for the 2026 session, which allows families to pay an amount based on their household income.

A sliding scale means that tuition is adjusted so that families contribute what is reasonable for their financial situation, while donations help make the program accessible to as many students as possible.

For students from split households, please combine both parents’ incomes when estimating total household income.

Financial aid requests do not affect admission decisions.

Use the calculator below to estimate your family’s tuition.

Program Cost

The full cost of attending the seven-week GPGC summer program is:

$3,000 for Louisiana residents

$4,000 for out-of-state residents (the sliding scale is not available for out-of-state residents)

This cost includes:

• Tuition ($750)

• Room and board for seven weeks (approximately $2200)

• A weekly student allowance for each student (please see the token economy page for more details about how the allowance works – students may earn up to $20 per week for spending money) 

How does the Sliding Scale Tuition process work?

  1. After acceptance, families complete enrollment forms that include estimating tuition based on total household income.

  2. The sliding scale will suggest a tuition amount based on your household income.

  3. If the suggested amount would still be difficult for your family, you may request additional financial aid through the enrollment form.

  4. When reviewing requests for additional aid, we consider circumstances such as:
    • family size
    • job loss
    • medical expenses
    • elder care
    • unexpected financial hardship

  5. Payment plans are also available and can be discussed after a student is accepted.

Supporting the Program’s Sliding Scale Tuition Opportunities

  • Even full tuition does not cover the total cost of operating the program (approximately $4500 per student).
  • Families who are able to contribute more help make it possible for other gifted students to attend GPGC.
  • Any amount paid beyond the sliding scale tuition suggested is considered a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit (The Friends of the GPGC – a 501(c)3 charitable organization) and directly supports student financial aid.

If you’d like to discuss your situation, please send us a note at office@gpgc.org to inquire about further support.

 

Cost Comparison

GPGC vs. other summer enrichment programs for the gifted, cost per week.

GPGC
(seven weeks): $3,000: $429 per week

Advance at Northwestern State (Louisiana)
(three weeks): $2,850: $950 per week

Davidson THINK Summer Institute (Nevada)
(three weeks): $4,350: $1,450 per week

Frequently Asked Questions

Will requesting financial aid affect my child’s acceptance?

No. Admission decisions are made independently from financial aid requests.

What if the sliding scale tuition is still too high for my family?

Families may request additional financial aid through the enrollment form, once a child is accepted. We review these requests individually and consider factors such as family size, medical expenses, job loss, and other financial circumstances.

How should income be calculated for split households?

If parents live in separate households, please combine both parents’ incomes when estimating your total household income.

Are payment plans available?

Yes. Payment plans are available after a student has been accepted into the program and are developed on a case-by-case basis. 

One of the best parts of the program


for me was, for once, it allowed me to be one of the "normal" kids, instead of the "brainiac" nerd. I cherish that gift.


– George A., Alumnus