How to Apply for Scholarships Via the Step Up For Students Program
Step Up For Students is a Florida-based organization providing a wide variety of K-12 educational opportunities. One of the most impactful ways they help students of all ages is through their various scholarship programs for several different demographics. Here’s more information about these life-changing scholarships — and how you or your young student can apply for them!
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) aim to provide Florida residents with financial assistance for private school tuition, public school transportation, and other educational costs. These scholarships, available to those eligible for K-12 public school, prioritize families whose household income is 400% of poverty or below. They initially cover private school tuition and related fees or public school transportation.
The average amount awarded for private school scholarships for the 2023-24 school year is $7,800, with a minimum of $750 awarded for transportation scholarships. Additionally, students who are neither full-time private nor full-time public school students can access the Personalized Education Program (PEP) through the FTC program.
The applications for these scholarships can be found here.
Scholarships for Students with Unique Abilities
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is designed to personalize the education of children with unique abilities. Delivered as an education savings account (ESA), it allows parents to allocate funds towards a mix of programs and approved providers such as schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, and technology, among others.
The scholarship is available to students aged 3 through grade 12 or up to age 22 with a specific diagnosis. The average award for an FES-UA scholarship is $10,000, which can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring, and more.
The application for this scholarship can be found here.
The Hope Scholarship
The Hope Scholarship aims to provide financial relief for private school tuition, related costs, or public transportation for K-12 grade public school students who have endured bullying, assault, threats, or other violent acts.
The scholarship, which bases eligibility on reported and documented incidents, averages $7,800 for private school scholarships and offers a minimum of $750 for transportation scholarships. It covers expenses related to private school tuition and fees or public school transportation.
The application for this scholarship can be found here.
The New Worlds Scholarship
New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts are designed to help struggling K-5th grade students improve their reading skills. The scholarship provides financial aid via a $500 education savings account (ESA) that can be used for part-time tutoring, summer and after-school literacy programs, instructional materials, curriculum, and more. Eligibility for this scholarship is based on the student's performance on the English Language Arts (ELA) test during the previous year.
The application for this scholarship can be found here.
Change Your Student’s Life Today!
Applying for Step Up For Students Scholarships can change your young student’s life for the better, and here at The FLOAAT Center, we’re here to support you along the way. Contact us today to experience compassionate mental and behavioral health care that empowers.
