Support Florida Students as a Reading/Literacy Support Provider

The New Worlds Reading Scholarship provides access to resources for K-5 public school students who are struggling readers. As an approved part-time tutor or fee-based after-school or summer reading program provider, you can receive payment directly from Step Up for the services provided to eligible scholarship students.

New Worlds Reading Scholarships are available to qualified students based on their reading performance. The program provides parents with access to education savings accounts, worth $500 each, to pay for tuition and fees related to part-time tutoring in reading, summer and afterschool programs designed to improve reading or literacy skills, instructional materials, which includes limited technology, or curriculum related to reading and literacy.

1. Direct eligible students to the New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts page to complete a scholarship application. ​
2. Complete the Tutor Participation Agreement and a current W-9​
   1. Acceptable qualifying documentation can be found in the provider handbook.​
   2. Email your completed forms to Readingprovider@sufs.org.​
      1. You will receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours from a Step Up For Students Service Ambassador.​
3. Before beginning tutoring services for an eligible student:​
   1. Request a copy of each student’s eligibility confirmation letter of funding provided to the family by Step Up For Students.​
   2. Have each parent complete Payment Authorization for your services. New Worlds Reading Scholarship families with funds remaining in their student’s account can access the link to our Payment Authorization tool by clicking on the “Marketplace” tab in their EMA account. They will be able to select their provider from an easy-to-use drop down list, complete the form, and authorize payment electronically. ​
   3. Parents are instructed to send their provider proof of completion once they have authorized payment.​
   4. Inform the parent that lack of payment authorization will result in you seeking payment directly from parents.​

If you provide fee-based after-school or summer reading programs, you can work with Step Up For Students to receive payment for eligible students directly from Step Up For Students.​

1. Direct eligible students to the New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts page to complete a scholarship application. ​
2. Complete the Program Partnership Agreement and a current W-9​
   1. Include a copy of the published description of the summer and/or after-school reading programs and email the description with your completed forms to Readingprovider@sufs.org.​
   2. You will receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours from a Step Up For Students Service Ambassador.​
3. Upon receipt of your approval confirmation, advertise the summer and/or after-school reading programs to eligible students.​
4. Before enrolling an eligible student in your program:​
   1. Request a copy of each student’s eligibility confirmation letter of funding provided to the family by Step Up For Students.​
   2. Have each parent complete Payment Authorization for your services. New Worlds Reading Scholarship families with funds remaining in their student’s account can access the link to our Payment Authorization tool by clicking on the “Marketplace” tab in their EMA account. They will be able to select their provider from an easy-to-use drop down list, complete the form, and authorize payment electronically. ​
   3. Parents are instructed to send their provider proof of completion once they have authorized payment.​
   4. Inform the parent that lack of payment authorization will result in you seeking payment directly from parents.​

New Worlds Reading Scholarship families can pay you directly for approved services and then submit a reimbursement request to Step Up by logging into EMA.

Upon receipt of the invoice, Step Up For Students will confirm scholarship eligibility and scholarship account balance.

Payments will be made directly to you by check on a bi-monthly basis for all validated students.

If you do not wish to set up direct pay with Step Up For Students but you still plan to provide your services to Reading Scholarship recipients, please provide your clients with this form to help with their reimbursement.