Navigating School Choice: Understanding Step Up For Students Scholarships in Florida
In Florida, the Step Up For Students program stands as a significant initiative aimed at expanding school choice options for families. This program encompasses various scholarships designed to provide financial assistance, enabling students to access educational environments that best suit their individual needs. With options ranging from private school tuition to personalized education programs and specialized services for students with unique abilities, Step Up For Students aims to empower families and create stronger futures for their children.
The Expansion of School Choice in Florida
The landscape of education in Florida has been significantly reshaped by House Bill (HB) 1, signed into law on March 27, 2023, by Governor Ron DeSantis. This legislation broadened school choice opportunities for all K-12 students in Florida, offering families additional educational avenues, such as the option to enroll their child in a participating private school.
Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
A notable component of this expansion is the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, specifically designed to provide families of students with disabilities, starting as young as 3 years of age, with access to additional educational options. Instead of having their child attend a public school, parents can receive a personal education savings account (ESA) for their student.
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
ESAs represent a unique approach to funding education. These government-authorized savings accounts receive deposits of public funds, which can be used for a variety of educational expenses. This includes not only private school tuition and fees but also online learning programs, private tutoring, community college costs, higher education expenses, and other approved customized learning services and materials.
Step Up For Students: Opening Doors to Educational Opportunities
Step Up For Students supports students and families in building a stronger future through an education that fits their needs. The scholarships open doors with tuition, transportation, and educational resources.
Read also: Opportunities with Step Up For Students
Private School Scholarships: FTC and FES-EO
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) provide financial assistance for private school tuition and related costs, giving children access to the education that best meets their needs. These scholarships provide, on average, $8,000 in financial assistance for private school tuition and related costs.
Quick Facts:
- Available to all Florida students eligible for K-12 public school, regardless of household income.
- $8,000 average scholarship for private school tuition and related fees.
- Applications for the 2026-27 school year are now open.
Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
Families can customize the education of their child with unique abilities with a scholarship worth an average of $10,000. This scholarship gives families access to an education savings account (ESA) that acts like a bank account in which you can direct funds toward a combination of programs and approved providers. This includes schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology, a college savings account and more.
Quick facts:
- Available to Florida students age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first, who have a specific diagnosis.
- $10,000 average scholarship for tuition and fees for a private school, homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring and more.
- Applications for the 2026-27 school year are now open.
New Worlds Scholarship
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts can support struggling VPK or K-5 public school students in becoming stronger learners in math and/or reading. This scholarship can be used for fees related to tutoring and after-school/summer programs along with instructional materials, curriculum and more. Awarded students receive an education savings account (ESA), which acts like a bank account with which you can direct funds toward a combination of educational expenses. The scholarship award amount varies based on the school year for which the student is awarded.
Quick facts:
- Available to VPK and K-5 Florida public school students who struggle with reading and/or math.
- Education savings account for part-time tutoring, summer and after-school literacy programs, instructional materials, curriculum and more.
- Important Program Update: Key legislative changes are underway for the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program for 2025-26. View the latest legislative updates to understand the impact.
Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida students who are not enrolled in public school or a Florida Home Education Program can access the Personalized Education Program (PEP) through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. This scholarship provides, on average, $8,000 through a flexible, education savings account (ESA) to fund the educational needs of Florida’s home schoolers.
Quick facts:
- Available to K-12 Florida students, regardless of household income, who are benefitting from a parent-directed education.
- On average, students receive $8,000 in scholarship funds which are placed in an education savings account (ESA) and can be used for tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring, instructional materials and more.
- The program can serve up to 140,000 students in the 2026-27 school year.
- Applications for the 2026-27 school year are now open.
Transportation Stipend
To support the transportation costs associated with traveling to a public school other than the one the student has been assigned, families of K-8 students can benefit from a transportation stipend of $750 per household.
Read also: Understanding the Hesi in Football
Understanding the Step Up For Students Program
Step Up For Students (sometimes referred to as "SUFs") is an umbrella term for several scholarship programs available for Florida families, giving parents the freedom to choose the educational environment that best suits their children’s needs. With programs covering pre-K3 through 12th grade, it’s one of the largest school-choice programs in the United States, helping over 200,000 students every year. The program is state-approved and managed by the Step Up For Students nonprofit organization in Florida.
Scholarship Options
There are several distinct scholarships within the program - many of which provide an Education Savings Account (ESA) - allowing parents to direct funds toward approved educational expenses for private school, homeschooling or an out-of-district public school of their choice. Depending on which scholarship you choose to apply for, the funds can be used for:
- Private school tuition and fees
- Homeschool curriculum and materials
- Online learning programs
- Tutoring and therapy services
- Educational materials and books
- Technology for learning
Most Florida families with school-aged children qualify for at least one type of scholarship. You don’t need to have a low household income to apply and application is completely free. However, you can only use scholarship funds to purchase from approved vendors.
Personalized Education Program (PEP) in Detail
The Personalized Education Program (PEP) is designed for homeschooling families and part-time private school students. The average scholarship amount varies based on grade level and family situation, typically ranging from $7,000 to $8,000.
Who Can Apply?
- Students being homeschooled in Florida
- Students attending private school part-time
- Students not enrolled full-time in public school
What Can It Be Used For?
- Curriculum materials and textbooks
- Online learning programs
- Educational software and apps
- Tutoring services
- Educational therapies
- Workbooks and supplemental materials
- Testing fees (like SAT, ACT)
- Online courses and classes
- Educational field trips
- Science lab equipment and supplies
- Art and music supplies for educational use
How Does It Work?
Successful applicants will receive an ESA preloaded with their allocated funds. Families can then purchase from approved vendors and pay using their ESA account. It’s like having a debit card just for educational purchases! This is the most popular scholarship for families homeschooling in Florida because it provides the freedom to choose their own curriculum and educational approach.
Read also: Educational Opportunities with Step Up For Students
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) in Detail
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) caters to students with special needs who have been diagnosed by a licensed physician. The average scholarship amount is $10,000 per student per year, with some students receiving more based on their needs.
Who Can Apply?
Families with children who have special needs. Eligible diagnoses include:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Intellectual disabilities
- Speech or language impairments
- Emotional or behavioral disabilities
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in some cases
- Other developmental delays
What Can It Be Used For?
- Private school specializing in special education
- Specialized therapies (speech, occupational, physical therapy)
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services
- Educational materials designed for special needs
- Assistive technology
- Online learning programs that support special needs
How Does It Work?
Successful applicants receive an ESA with funds to spend on approved services and products. It’s very flexible and designed to meet each child’s unique needs.
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) in Detail
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) is designed for families who want to send their child to private school. The average scholarship amount is $8,000 per student per year.
Who Can Apply?
Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grade who meet these criteria:
- Currently enrolled in or eligible to attend a Florida public school
- Florida residents with proof of residency
- Families at any income level (though lower-income families receive priority)
- Students currently in public school, private school, or transitioning from homeschool
Who Gets Priority?
- Lower-income families get first priority
- Families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level, though families at any income level can apply.
What Can It Be Used For?
- Private school tuition and fees
- Educational materials
- Tutoring services
- School uniforms
- Technology for learning
How Does It Work?
The scholarship money goes directly to the child’s nominated private school to pay for tuition and fees. Any extra funds go into an ESA.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) in Detail
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) is for any Florida family choosing an alternative to their assigned public school. The average scholarship amount is $8,000 per student per year.
Who Can Apply?
This is the most flexible school vouchers program in Florida. You don’t have to prove financial need, making it available to more families.
Who Gets Priority?
Lower-income families receive priority, but there’s no strict income limit.
What Can It Be Used For?
- Private school tuition
- Transportation to a different public school
- Lab fees and course materials
- Educational therapies
How Does It Work?
Similar to the FTC scholarship, but with slightly different eligibility rules. Many families qualify for both and can choose which one to apply for.
New Worlds Scholarship in Detail
Note: This scholarship is currently NOT accepting applications due to lack of funding. It was previously offered for students enrolled in public schools who needed extra help with reading and math.
What Can It Be Used For?
- Tutoring services specifically for reading or math
- Supplemental educational materials for literacy and numeracy
- Online learning programs focused on reading improvement
- Math intervention programs and materials
- Educational assessments and testing
- Instructional materials to support skill development in reading and math only
How Does It Work?
Unlike other Step Up scholarships that provide broader educational funding, New Worlds is designed as a targeted intervention program. Students remain enrolled in their public school full-time while receiving an ESA to purchase supplemental resources to address specific learning gaps in reading or mathematics. The scholarship provides additional support alongside regular classroom instruction rather than replacing it.
Eligibility for Step Up Scholarships
The Step Up For Students program is designed to help as many students as possible, not just low-income families. Therefore, most Florida families with school-aged children qualify for one or more of the scholarship options. However, families who earn less money get priority when applications are reviewed.
Basic Requirements:
- Your child must be a full-time Florida resident
- Unless you’re applying for the Unique Abilities scholarship (FES-UA extends to pre-K3), your child must be eligible to attend a K-12 public school in Florida
- Your child can be homeschooled or be enrolled in a public or private school.
Priority Levels:
- Priority Level 1: Families earning up to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) get first priority
- Priority Level 2: Families earning 185% to 400% of FPL get second priority
- No Income Limit: Families earning above 400% of FPL can still apply and receive scholarships, depending on demand.
Application Deadlines and Timeline
Applications for Step Up scholarships stay open throughout the year until funding runs out. It is recommended applying as soon as possible when applications are open.
- January: Applications open for the 2026-27 school year
- April 30: Priority deadline - apply by this date for the best chance of approval and fastest processing
- July: Most families receive approval notices
- August: Scholarship funds available for renewal students
- September: Scholarship funds available for new students.
How to Apply
Follow the step-by-step guide to the Step Up For Students application process. Step Up For Students will review your application and let you know if you’re approved. This usually takes 4-6 weeks, but can be faster if you apply early.
If approved, you’ll get an Award ID for your child and access to their ESA or vouchers to use for private schooling. If using an ESA, you can then start purchasing approved educational materials.
Approved Expenses
To ensure scholarship funds are spent on quality programs and resources, Step Up For Students maintains an approved vendor database of thousands of educational publishers and service providers. Your ESA funds can only be used to purchase from approved vendors.
Eligible Educational Expenses Include:
- Curriculum & Textbooks
- Online Learning Programs
- Educational Supplies
- Services
- Technology (with limitations)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Step Up Florida scholarships?
Florida students in Pre-K3 through 12th grade (depending on scholarship type) whose families reside in the state can apply through their parent or guardian. The Unique Abilities Scholarship is available for Pre-K3 through 12th grade, while other scholarships cover kindergarten through 12th grade. Priority is given to households earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level (about US$121,000/year for a family of four), but there's no strict income requirement. Most Florida families qualify for at least one type of Step Up scholarship.
How much money do you get from Step Up For Students?
The amount depends on which scholarship you receive:
- Personalized Education Program (PEP): Typically $7,000-$8,000 per student
- Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA): Average $10,000 per student (can be higher based on needs)
- Private School Scholarships (FTC & FES-EO): Average $8,000 per student.
The exact amount depends on your child’s grade level and which scholarship you qualify for.
What documents do I need for Step Up For Students?
When applying for a Step Up For Students scholarship, you’ll need to provide:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease, or driver’s license)
- Income verification for priority processing (tax returns, pay stubs)
- Previous school records
- For the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), you’ll also need diagnosis documentation from a licensed physician.
Additional Considerations and Clarifications
- Renewal Applications: Private School & Unique Abilities Scholarship Families should submit their renewal application by Thursday, April 30 to ensure their child’s path continues without interruption. PEP Scholarship Families should also submit all renewal and new applications by Thursday, April 30.
- MFA Reset: If you're unable to access the phone number linked to your EMA account or you're not receiving your MFA code, you may request an MFA reset. Note: only the Primary Parent listed on the account can request this reset.
- Application Status: Different statuses in EMA mean different things for your student’s application:
- Draft - Not yet submitted. Complete all sections, upload documents, and submit.
- Submitted - Received but not yet reviewed. Check back soon.
- Pending - Under review.
- Military Families: If you are an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida, you will be eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) and the PEP Scholarship before you make your move.
- Home Education: You should end your Home Education program once your child’s PEP Scholarship is funded.
- Student Learning Plan (SLP): A Student Learning Plan (SLP) is a personalized plan created by parents or guardians to guide their child’s instruction and identify the services needed to support their academic success.
- Choice Navigator: A School Choice Navigator is an optional service provider intended to help guide parents through the myriad of choices that will become available to them through an ESA.
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