Scholarships for Private School or Public School Transportation Costs
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Every Student Deserves A Choice
Education isn’t one-size-fits all. Just as every student is different, every classroom is different, and every school is different. Students learn best in an academic environment that is best suited to their learning needs.
Step Up For Students supports Florida students and families in building a stronger future through personalized education. Our scholarships open doors with private school tuition assistance and help covering the cost of traveling to a different public school.
Step Up For Students supports Florida students and families in building a stronger future through personalized education. Our scholarships open doors with private school tuition assistance and help covering the cost of traveling to a different public school.
Opportunities available through:
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC)
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
Scholarships for Private Schools
K-12 students who meet the income or other eligibility requirements receive a scholarship worth an average of $7,700 to attend a private school that best meets their academic needs.
The scholarship can be used for tuition along with other related expenses such as registration, books, testing and other fees.
The scholarship can be used for tuition along with other related expenses such as registration, books, testing and other fees.
Scholarships for Public School Transportation
K-12 students have the option of attending a public school that is a better fit than the one they’ve been assigned. Students who meet the income requirements can receive at least $750 to be used for transportation.
Private School and Transportation Scholarship Parent Handbooks
For more information, download our handbooks.
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:
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.
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 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.
Updates
- 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.
Stepping Up To Success
“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
Video Library
How to create your FTC/FES-EO account
How to complete an FTC/FES-EO application
Document checklist for FTC/FES-EO applications
2022-2023 |
|
| Household Size | Annual Household Gross Income Cap |
| 1 | $54,360 |
| 2 | $73,240 |
| 3 | $92,120 |
| 4 | $111,000 |
| 5 | $129,880 |
| 6 | $148,760 |
| 7 | $167,640 |
| 8 | $186,520 |
| 9 | $205,400 |
| 10 | $224,280 |
| 11 | $243,160 |
| 12 | $262,040 |
| 13 | $280,920 |