Step Up for Students opens doors to private and home-based learning, giving Florida families more educational choices. However, one important rule often surprises new scholarship recipients: while you’re using scholarship funds, your child can’t remain enrolled in a traditional public school.
What the Rule Says
The Unique Abilities Scholarship Family Handbook makes it clear: a student cannot be enrolled in a public school at the same time they are receiving and using scholarship funds. Before funds can be released, parents must withdraw their child from public school.
Why Public School and Scholarship Funds Don’t Mix
- Preventing double funding: The state allocates money for each public‑school student. Allowing a child to draw on both public funding and scholarship accounts would mean they’re funded twice for the same enrollment period.
- Maintaining program integrity: The scholarship exists to support private‑school tuition or registered home education. Keeping the lines clear helps Step Up for Students serve as many eligible students as possible.
Steps to Take Before the School Year Begins
To avoid any hiccups with scholarship disbursements, families should:
- Notify your public school district of the withdrawal and submit the completed Form IEPC‑SWF.
- Confirm that your child is registered at an eligible private school or with a registered home education program.
- Keep documentation—such as the withdrawal form and private‑school acceptance letter—on file in case questions arise.
Accessing Public School Services Part‑Time
Good news: scholarship recipients can still access individual classes or services in a public school, as long as the cost comes out of pocket or is covered by their scholarship account. Just be sure the public school reports the student as “privately paying” so they aren’t flagged as publicly funded.
Additional Resources
Shifting from public to private or home education is a big step. Start early—ideally, months before the school year—to find the right private school or set up your home‑education program. That way, when scholarship funds arrive, your child’s spot is secured and paperwork is in order.
By understanding and following these guidelines, families can make the most of the Step Up for Students scholarship without risking eligibility. When in doubt, reach out to your scholarship funding organization for clarification—clear communication today means uninterrupted learning tomorrow.
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