inspirED
Meet our scholars, educators, donors and partners.
Transforming Our Community.
One Scholarship at a Time.
Step Up For Students Scholarships do more than fund education. They change lives. Students thrive in environments that fit their needs. Educators extend their reach to support vulnerable students. Communities grow stronger as educational systems improve.
This is inspireEd. Welcome.
Here, you will get an inside view of that transformation in progress. See what happens when students and their families discover the power of taking control over their academics. Watch as they forge new pathways to a better future. Find inspiration in their determination to achieve their dreams.
These are the stories of Florida students who have renewed hope because they have a school that better fits their needs or educational materials to unlock their potential. They are the stories of a community that has come together to support the belief that educational choice matters. Here, you can be a part of this incredible journey.
This is inspireEd. Welcome.
Here, you will get an inside view of that transformation in progress. See what happens when students and their families discover the power of taking control over their academics. Watch as they forge new pathways to a better future. Find inspiration in their determination to achieve their dreams.
These are the stories of Florida students who have renewed hope because they have a school that better fits their needs or educational materials to unlock their potential. They are the stories of a community that has come together to support the belief that educational choice matters. Here, you can be a part of this incredible journey.
Latest Posts
New Worlds Scholarship, Reading Scholarships, Scholarship News, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
New Worlds Scholarship and Captain Underpants make reading 'cool and fun' for young student
Mar 18, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, Beyond the Scholarship, School Choice, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
This kid can do things: The Caleb Prewitt Story
Jul 16, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Student Spotlights, Beyond the Scholarship, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, graduate, School Choice, Step Up For Students
Books, banners, boats and National Merit Scholarships
Jun 30, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Beyond the Scholarship, Rising Stars, School Choice, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
From Snowed in to Sunny Side: Joseph's journey to self-enrichment
Jun 13, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Hybrid Learning, Beyond the Scholarship, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, Homeschool, Personalized Education Program, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
Tadpoles, robots, and sewing machines all part of this family's hybrid-homeschool experience
Jun 11, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Student Spotlights, Beyond the Scholarship, Personalized Education Program, Rising Stars, Step Up For Students
Poetry in motion: The tale of one homeschool family using the PEP scholarship
May 7, 2025 • By Roger Mooney
Your gift will change a student's life
Our dedication to students doesn’t end when they receive a scholarship. Your support will enable Step Up to maximize the impact of the scholarships the students receive.
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Browse More From The Blog
Education choice scholarship helps Ny'Reon create blueprint for his future
Ny’Reon Shuman has a blueprint for his future. The 17-year-old has designs on being an architect. He wants to own an architectural firm, one with offices around the world. He wants to design a big house for his grandmother, Katherine Shuman, who adopted him when he was an infant. He calls her “Mom.” “She’s made […]
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Dreams of owning a home, quality schools for the boys come true thanks to education choice scholarship
ORLANDO, Florida – Juliette Harrell was 17 when she told her mom she was pregnant. She was promptly kicked out of her house. A single mother herself, Juliette’s mom painted a bitter picture of Juliette’s new world. “My mom told me my life was over. You got to take care of your kids. You can’t […]
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20 years of Educational Opportunity, Beyond the Scholarship, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
Step Up For Students ranked 13th in Forbes list of 100 top American charities
Step Up For Students continues to rise among the top nonprofits in the country, breaking into the top-15 of Forbes’ list of America’s Top 100 Charities 2021. Step Up is ranked 13th, the highest ranking for among education charities. “Step Up For Students is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary of providing scholarships to underprivileged children, […]
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LiFT Academy receives boost from Tampa Bay Lightning as it prepares to move to new campus
High above the ice at Amalie Arena during a recent Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game stood Keli Mondello and Kim Kuruzovich, the founders of Learning Independence for Tomorrow (LiFT), and Holly Andrade, a founding teacher. They were bathed in the spotlight while the fans cheered, and the players on the ice below paid tribute with […]
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20 years of Educational Opportunity, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, School Choice, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
20 years of Educational Opportunity: Once a beneficiary of education choice, Ashley is now an advocate
The first time Ashley Elliott realized her story could make a difference was when she found herself in Washington, D.C., moving from the office of Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Orlando) to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) to talk about the importance of education choice. It works, Ashley said. You’re looking at proof. It was a Florida Tax […]
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Behind the Scenes, Beyond the Scholarship, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Gardiner Scholarships, graduate, Hope Scholarship, Reading Scholarships, Scholarship News, Step Up For Students, Student Spotlights
Step Up For Students celebrates 20 years of providing Families Choices
Florida’s largest nonprofit scholarship administrator is celebrating its 20th anniversary of providing families more options in their children’s education. Step Up For Students, a 501c3 nonprofit based in Jacksonville and St. Petersburg, has awarded more than 1 million scholarships since it was founded in 2002. Today, Step Up administers five of the state’s K-12 scholarship […]
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Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Gardiner Scholarships, Hope Scholarship, Rising Stars, School Spotlights, Step Up For Students, Step Up Honors, Student Spotlights
Step Up's Rising Stars Award programs returns this year with in-person and virtual events
Step Up For Students’ Rising Stars Award program returns this year with in-person events, a virtual event and a new category – the Super Senior Award. “Step Up For Students celebrates our outstanding scholarship students every year through our Rising Stars Award ceremonies across the state,” said Jamila Wiltshire, Student Learning & Partner Success manager […]
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The Foundation Academy students march for unity, education choice at MLK Jr. Day parade
For Daarina Cue, an 11th grader at The Foundation Academy in Jacksonville, marching in the city’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade is a “great experience.” The people who line the parade route cheer the students as they pass by while carrying large photos of Martin Luther King Jr. and other luminary figures of […]
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Conn’s HomePlus Supports Florida Students Through Scholarship Program
Conn’s HomePlus has contributed $174,000 to Step Up For Students, helping 23 deserving Florida schoolchildren access the right education to help them succeed. This is the first year Conn’s HomePlus has partnered with Step Up For Students to contribute to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, an income-based scholarship program funded by tax-credited contributions from […]
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Reading grades improve, love of books grows with the help of Florida's Reading Scholarship
Lindsey Pawlishen was so confident she would pass her love of reading to her daughter that she asked for and received children’s books instead of traditional gifts at the baby shower. She began reading to Samantha when Samantha was an infant expecting to instill that love of reading. But Samantha didn’t love reading. “I didn’t […]
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