Open Your Doors to New Opportunities for Florida Students Scholarships for
Private School

“I am an educator for 35 years, a school owner and principal for 25 years. I came into the profession to help promote equity and justice in America. We are all unique and creative beings. There is no one-size-fits-all way of learning and growing into successful, compassionate, well-adjusted people. I cannot think of a better way to promote equity and justice in education than through the Step Up scholarship.”

Nadia Hionides
Principal of The Foundation Academy, Jacksonville

“At Admiral Farragut, the way we operate is deeply rooted in history and rich in tradition, and being a positive influence in our community is a big part of that. Our mission is to give young people a solid foundation of academics, social and leadership skills, and a sense of integrity so they can become productive members of our global society.”

Captain Robert J. Fine, Jr.
Headmaster of Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg

• Navigate to www.floridaschoolchoice.org
• Click on, “Private School Information for Administrators”
• Use your 4-digit Department of Education code and password to Login under “Existing Private Schools Login.” If you don’t have a DOE code, please click here and follow instructions to obtain a code and password.
• After logging in, indicate that you’d like to participate in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program.
• Upon completing the above steps, the school may contact Step Up For Students to create a Step Up For Students account. In order to receive your login with Step Up For Students, you will need to email [email protected] for login credentials. Please keep in mind that all the information we require will come from your portal with the Florida Department of Education.

Download the ExcelinEd Guide to the Requirements for Starting a Private School in Florida as an additional resource, including legal requirements. Get the guide >

• Step Up For Students issues payments to schools electronically. This process takes place at least four times per school year and requires the parent/guardian to electronically verify their student’s payment, each time, before Step Up For Students can release the student’s scholarship funds to the school. 
• Prior to each scholarship payment, schools are required to verify their scholarship students by completing and submitting an electronic Verification Report (VR). The electronic VR is available through the school’s secured login and must be completed during the verification window. Schools will not be permitted to complete Scholarship Commitment Forms (SCF) or Exit Commitment Forms (ECF) during a Verification Window. Schools should ensure all information is correct at least one week prior to the VR.

• Tuition 
• Books sold through the school (e.g., textbooks, workbooks, etc.) 
•  Registration 
• Transportation services that occur during school hours such as for field trips 
• Uniforms sold through the school 
• Standardized or entrance testing  
• Other fees, not including before and/or after school care services or after school sports fees (e.g., graduation fees, yearbook fees, field trips) 
• Digital devices and internet access directly through the school