Step Up For Students is a Florida nonprofit scholarship-funding organization that helps families access educational options suited to their children’s needs. Through state-authorized scholarship programs, eligible families may receive assistance for private-school tuition and fees or, depending on the program, use an education savings account for other approved educational expenses. Private School Scholarships are funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options.
Scholarship eligibility, funding amounts, application periods, priorities, approved expenses, and renewal requirements are determined by Florida law and Step Up For Students and may change from year to year. Families apply directly through Step Up, complete all required documentation, and remain responsible for monitoring their scholarship account and completing any required actions. HCA welcomes scholarship-supported students, but admission to HCA and scholarship approval are separate processes; receiving one does not guarantee the other.
Step Up Scholarship Programs
Private School Scholarship
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) can help eligible K–12 Florida students pay tuition and approved fees at participating private schools.
Unique Abilities Scholarship
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides an education savings account for eligible students with qualifying diagnoses. Approved uses may include private-school tuition, therapies, specialists, curriculum, tutoring, and other educational services.
Personalized Education Program
The PEP Scholarship, offered through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, supports eligible students receiving a parent-directed education. Funds are provided through an education savings account for approved learning expenses.
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts
This program is designed for eligible Florida public-school students who need additional support in reading or mathematics. Funds may be used for approved tutoring, instructional materials, and qualifying after-school or summer programs.
Transportation Stipend
This household stipend supports eligible K–8 public-school students traveling to a public school other than the one to which they were assigned. It is not a private-school tuition scholarship.