How the Scholarship Works
Since 2002, more than 331,000 scholarships have been awarded to low-income Florida students in grades K-12. Could your child be next?
Students learn in different ways, and parents need to find the best school for each child. Sometimes that means another public school in a different neighborhood, and sometimes that means a private school. Step Up For Students exists to help low-income families enjoy all of those options.
Students who qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program may qualify for a Step Up For Students Scholarship to a private school or for funds to help cover transportation costs to an out-of-district public school.
Our goal is to give your family a choice in your child’s education. It is your child; It is your choice.
These scholarships were created by the Florida Legislature in 2001 to ensure that low-income children have learning options. Under the law, the scholarships are based on financial need, not how well your child does in school. They are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and can be transferred to other eligible schools if the student moves within the state or simply wants to attend a different Step Up partner school.
To qualify for a scholarship for this school year:
- A child entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before September 1st.
- A child entering first grade must be 6 on or before September 1st.
- A child entering grades 6-12 must have attended a Florida public school for the entire previous school year.
AND
Your household income is at or below the amount shown on the income guidelines.
For more information and to apply, visit the Step Up For Students website.