Step Up For Students

Step Up For Students is a Florida-based, state-approved nonprofit scholarship-funding organization (SFO). It administers various K -12 scholarship programs to provide families with the financial support needed to access educational options that align with their children’s needs.

Scholarships for Private School Tuition

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC)

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)

Purpose: Both the FTC and FES-EO scholarships give students access to the K-12 education setting that best meets their needs—often through private schools.
Financial Assistance: On average, each scholarship provides $8,000 for private school tuition and related fees.
Eligibility:
- Available to all Florida students eligible for K-12 public school, regardless of household income.
- Families apply through Step Up For Students, which evaluates eligibility and guides parents through the funding process.

Quick Facts

Average award: Approximately $8,000.
Can be used toward tuition, textbooks, uniforms, and other qualifying education costs.
Helps families customize their child’s educational experience without solely depending on the public-school system.

Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

Purpose: Provides financial support for children with certain disabilities or special needs to pursue a range of customized educational services.
Uses of Funds: Tuition, therapies, educational materials, and other specialized services, as outlined by Florida law.
Eligibility: Students must have a diagnosed disability that meets the program’s criteria.

Scholarship for Students Experiencing Bullying

Hope Scholarship

Purpose: Offers a transfer option for students who have experienced bullying, harassment, or other qualifying incidents at their public school.
Eligibility: Families must provide documentation of such incidents. Approved students can transfer to another public school or use the scholarship for a private school.

Scholarship for Reading Support

Reading Scholarship

Purpose: Helps public school students in certain elementary grades who need extra assistance with reading.
Eligibility: Typically for students in grades 3-5 who struggle with reading comprehension or test scores.
Uses of Funds: Tutoring, summer reading programs, and other specialized reading interventions.

Application and Award Process

Online Application: Families submit information through the Step Up For Students website. Requirements differ by scholarship but may include documentation of disability, income (where applicable), or proof of a qualifying incident.
Verification & Approval: Once verified, Step Up For Students notifies parents of their award amount (with an average of $8,000 for FTC and FES-EO).
Funding Use: Depending on the chosen program, families apply the funds to private school tuition or other eligible expenses.

Accountability and Oversight

State Approval: Step Up For Students is monitored by the Florida Department of Education and is subject to state regulations.
Annual Audits: As a nonprofit SFO, Step Up For Students undergoes regular independent audits and must comply with Florida’s accountability standards.
School Accountability: Participating schools must adhere to certain guidelines, including reporting standardized test results (where applicable) and maintaining financial compliance.

Summary

Step Up For Students administers multiple scholarship programs that empower families to tailor their children’s education, whether by selecting a private school, securing specialized services for students with special needs, or addressing issues like bullying or reading challenges. With the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) now available to all Florida students regardless of household income and providing an average of $8,000 in support, these programs play a pivotal role in expanding educational choices and opportunities across Florida’s diverse student population.

Step Up For Students’ official site