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2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR

Be among the FIRST TO KNOW when we begin accepting scholarship applications for the 2023-24 school year.

APPLY NOW FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship &
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options

Step Up For Students offers two scholarships that are based on your household’s income: the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO).
These programs give families a choice of financial assistance toward private school tuition and fees, or help with transportation costs for students to attend a public school different than the one they are assigned to.

For the 2022-23 school year, private school scholarships are worth an average of $7,700 per student and the transportation scholarship is worth at least $750.

Both scholarships are based on financial need and not how well your child does in school. Applying is simple. When it’s time, fill out one application and Step Up will determine if you are eligible, and for which scholarship.

Private School and Transportation Scholarship Parent Handbooks

For more information, download our handbooks.

Testimonials

“Without Step Up I don’t know if I would be able to reach the goals I’m about to reach.”

Nanya
Step Up Scholarship Recipient
“I’ve always felt education was No. 1 over everything, I always wanted to prove it to myself.”

Zoe Elverillo
Step Up Scholarship Recipient
“Private school is different. The classes are smaller…There’s not one teacher that doesn’t care (here).”
Carlos Escobar
Step Up Scholarship Recipient

Enriching the lives of Florida school children through the power of education choice.

Click here to learn about all the scholarship opportunities from Step Up For Students.

What are the guidelines to be eligible for the scholarship?

Please click here to read eligibility and program details. If you have any questions after reviewing, please contact us at 1-877-735-7837 or email info@stepupforstudents.org. You may also reach out to us via online chat on our website.

How do I apply & what documents will I need to submit with my application?

When Step Up For Students is accepting applications for the income-based scholarship families must complete an online application AND submit the required supporting documentation. The documents needed will vary from one application to the next depending on each family’s situation. However, the following documents are ones that are typically requested. Please keep in mind that you will likely be requested to submit additional documents depending on your particular situation.

  • Paystubs (30 consecutive days closest to when you submit your application.
  • Proof of residency for all members in the household (I.E.- health insurance, Medicaid, income documentation, utility bills, court custody documents or residential lease listing household members)
  • Any other sources of income (i.e. – unemployment benefits, social security benefits, child support benefits, etc.)
  • Driver’s license or passport for primary and secondary parents

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis in the order all required documents are received.

Lower-income families have priority.

Where can I find an eligible school?

Find an eligible school here. You can filter the list in a variety of ways to help you find ones that may interest you. If you see a school that interest you, please contact the school to learn more, including if they have available space for your child.

How much are scholarships worth and what do they cover?

The private school scholarship option averages $7,700 a year. To view the 2022-23 award amounts for each county and grade, please click here. The transportation scholarship option is worth at least $750 a year.

To see what the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship covers, please refer to the PARENT HANDBOOK FTC Parent Handbook.
To see what the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options covers, please refer to the PARENT HANDBOOK FES-EO Parent Handbook

Who Is Eligible?

The private school scholarships are available to students of families who either meet the income guidelines or qualify based on the criteria listed below.

Families interested in the transportation scholarship through the FTC or FES-EO program must qualify based on household income. An example of who may qualify is a family of four with an income of up to $111,000.

The private school tuition assistance is available, regardless of income, to:
  • Siblings of students participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
  • Dependent children of an active member of the United States Armed Forces, including reservists. Includes members of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force.
  • Dependent children of law enforcement officers
  • Children in foster care or out-of-home care
  • Homeless children

How Does It Work?

Apply for the scholarship through Step Up For Students. If approved, choose a private school scholarship or a transportation scholarship.

Private School Scholarship

Scholarships vary by county and grade but are worth an average of $7,700. Once awarded a scholarship, work with your selected participating private school to enroll your student through Step Up For Students. You will be notified when it is time to log into your account to approve scholarship funds to be issued directly to your school electronically.
Select a participating private school ›
View Scholarship Award Amounts ›

Transportation Scholarship

Transportation scholarships are worth $750 and help with the cost of attending a public school other than the one to which a student has been assigned.

Once awarded a scholarship, please follow the instructions on your award letter to notify us that you will be using the transportation scholarship option. Familes will be required to provide a report card or progress report quarterly to confirm the student’s attendance and receive payment that is sent directly to families.

Note: The application is the same for both programs and applications are processed in the order they are received. Renewal students have first priority. Scholarships can be transferred to an eligible school if the student moves within state or chooses to move to a new school.
Apply Now

Documents you will need to apply

  • Pay stubs from the 30 consecutive days closest to when you submit your application.
  • Proof of residency for all members in the household such as health insurance, Medicaid, income documentation, utility bills, court custody documents, or residential lease listing household members.
  • Any other sources of income such as unemployment benefits, social security benefits, or child support benefits.
  • Driver’s license or passport for primary and secondary parents.
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