Janice Lozano
Step Up For Students is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to eligible students in Florida. The scholarship funds can be used to cover tuition and fees at eligible private schools, with any remaining funds used for other educational expenses. The amount of the scholarship varies, with an average award of $8,000, but it can go up to $50,000 per year, depending on the student's needs and the school's tuition. The scholarship funds are paid directly to the school to cover tuition and fees first, and any remaining funds are then accessible through an education savings account (ESA) for other approved expenses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Amount | Up to $50,000 per year |
| Average Scholarship Amount | $8,000 |
| Average Scholarship Amount for Students with Unique Abilities | $10,000 |
| Scholarship Coverage | Tuition, transportation, books, tutoring, therapy, assistive technology, specialized services for students with disabilities, and other approved educational expenses |
| Eligibility | Florida students age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first |
| Scholarship Programs | Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), New Worlds Scholarship, FES-UA Scholarship |
| Scholarship Payment | Quarterly |
| Scholarship Funds Usage | Funds must first pay for tuition and fees. Remaining funds can be used for other educational expenses. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for tuition and fees
Step Up For Students administers multiple scholarship programs, including the FTC Scholarship and the FES-EO Scholarship. The former is funded through corporate tax credits, while the latter is funded directly by the state. Both scholarships can be used to cover tuition, transportation, books, and other approved expenses. The FES-EO Scholarship is ideal for families who need financial assistance to send their children to private school.
Another example of a scholarship that covers tuition and fees is the Hope Scholarship, which is also administered by Step Up For Students. This scholarship allows students facing bullying, harassment, or safety concerns in public schools to transfer to a private school with financial assistance. The Hope Scholarship covers tuition and educational resources for the transfer.
Full-tuition scholarships are also available from various organizations and institutions. For instance, Scholarships.com lists several full-tuition scholarships, such as the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program, the Posse Scholarship, and the WGA Evans Scholars Program. The latter is specifically for golf caddies with strong academics and financial needs. Scholarships.com also offers a search tool to help students find full-tuition scholarships that match their unique interests and passions.
Additionally, some universities, like Liberty University, offer scholarships that cover tuition and fees. For instance, Liberty University provides the Heroes Fund Scholarship, which covers all remaining tuition and fees after financial aid and military aid have been applied. This scholarship is offered to service members and honorably discharged Gulf War veterans pursuing their first certificate, associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree.
Overall, scholarships for tuition and fees provide valuable financial support for students and their families, helping to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent students from receiving a quality education.
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Funding sources
Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to eligible students in Florida. The program is designed to give families more educational options by reducing financial barriers to private school education. Here are the details of the funding sources for the Step Up For Students program:
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC)
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) is funded through corporate tax credits. This scholarship provides an average of $8,000 in financial assistance for private school tuition and related costs. The scholarship is available to Florida residents who are eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school, regardless of household income. The funds are placed in an education savings account (ESA) and can be used for tuition, fees, homeschooling, tutoring, instructional materials, and other approved expenses.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) is directly funded by the state. This scholarship also provides an average of $8,000 in financial assistance, covering tuition, transportation, books, and other educational expenses. Like the FTC scholarship, the FES-EO scholarship is available to Florida residents eligible for K-12 public school enrollment, regardless of household income. Any remaining funds can be accessed through an ESA to support additional educational needs.
Hope Scholarship
The Hope Scholarship assists students facing bullying, harassment, or safety concerns in public schools, enabling them to transfer to a private school with financial assistance. This scholarship covers tuition and educational resources, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment for students who may struggle in their current setting.
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts
The New Worlds Scholarship Accounts support VPK and K-5 public school students who need help with math and reading. The scholarship provides funds for fees related to tutoring, after-school and summer programs, instructional materials, curriculum, and other educational resources. The funds are deposited into an ESA, allowing for flexible usage on a combination of educational expenses.
FES-UA Scholarship (formerly Gardiner Scholarship)
The FES-UA Scholarship, previously known as the Gardiner Scholarship, covers tuition, lessons, therapy, assistive technology, and specialized services for students with disabilities. This scholarship ensures that students with special needs receive the necessary support and resources for their education.
Step Up For Students also mentions "donor-advised funds" and "vehicle donations" as other ways to support their scholarship programs. The organization works with schools and providers to empower Florida students with educational options, ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality, personalized education.
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Scholarship amounts
The scholarship funds must first be used to pay for tuition and fees at eligible private schools. Any remaining funds can be used for other educational expenses, such as registration, books, testing, tutoring, transportation, therapy, assistive technology, and other approved fees. These expenses can be paid through an education savings account (ESA).
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) are two scholarship programs offered by Step Up For Students. The main difference between them is their funding source. The FTC Scholarship is funded through corporate tax credits, while the FES-EO Scholarship is directly funded by the state.
The Hope Scholarship is another scholarship program that allows students facing bullying, harassment, or safety concerns at public schools to transfer to a private school with financial assistance. This scholarship provides a safe and supportive learning environment for students who may struggle in their current educational setting.
The New Worlds Scholarship Accounts is a scholarship program for Florida students from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, benefiting from a parent-directed education. The average scholarship amount is $10,000, which can be used for tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring, instructional materials, and other educational expenses.
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Eligibility criteria
Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit organization that provides K–12 scholarships to eligible students in Florida. The scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The eligibility criteria vary by scholarship type, but here are some general guidelines:
Florida Residency
Students must be residents of Florida and eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school. This includes students whose families are active-duty military members with permanent change of station orders to move to Florida.
Household Income
While the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) caters to a broader range of income levels, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) prioritizes low-income families. Households with an income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level receive priority consideration. It's important to note that the income eligibility for Step Up for Students is based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which changes annually.
Disabilities or Special Needs
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is specifically designed for students with qualifying disabilities. To be eligible, students must have a documented diagnosis from a qualified professional in one or more specific categories, including developmental delays, physical or sensory impairments, chronic health conditions, or other conditions like emotional or behavioral disabilities.
Previous Schooling
In some cases, eligibility may be determined based on the student's previous schooling. For example, the Hope Scholarship allows students facing bullying, harassment, or safety concerns at public schools to transfer to a private school with financial assistance.
Scholarship Amounts
The scholarship amounts vary by county and grade but are worth an average of $8,000 per student. The FES-UA scholarship can provide up to $50,000 per year to cover specialized therapies and learning resources for students with disabilities.
It is important to review the specific eligibility criteria for each scholarship type on the Step Up For Students website and consult the relevant handbooks and resources for detailed information.
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Application process
Step Up For Students is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for students in Florida. The scholarships are intended to empower families to pursue the most appropriate learning options for their children. The program is made possible through tax credit funding and state-funded education savings accounts. The scholarships cover tuition and fees at eligible private schools, and any remaining funds can be used for other educational expenses.
To apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students, you will need to follow the steps outlined below:
- Visit the Step Up For Students website: Go to the official website of Step Up For Students at www.stepupforstudents.org.
- Review the scholarship programs: Step Up For Students offers various scholarship programs, including the Private School Scholarship, the Personalized Education Program Scholarship (PEP), the Unique Abilities Scholarship, and the Transportation Stipend. Choose the program that best fits your needs and eligibility.
- Check eligibility requirements: Each scholarship program has specific eligibility criteria. For example, the Private School Scholarship is open to Florida residents who are eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school, regardless of household income. The Unique Abilities Scholarship, on the other hand, is for students aged 3 through grade 12 (or up to age 22) with specific diagnoses. Review the eligibility requirements for your chosen program carefully.
- Gather required documents: You will need to provide certain documents as part of the application process. These may include proof of residency, income verification, and student academic records. Prepare these documents in advance to make the application process smoother.
- Complete the application: Once you have all the required information and documents, you can start completing the application form. Follow the instructions provided on the website. Be sure to provide accurate and complete information.
- Submit the application: After carefully reviewing your application, submit it by following the submission guidelines. Make a note of the submission deadline to ensure your application is considered.
- Await notification: After submitting your application, wait for notification from Step Up For Students regarding the status of your application. They will inform you whether your application has been accepted, rejected, or if they require additional information.
- Enroll in a private school: If your application is successful and you are awarded a scholarship, you will work with your chosen participating private school to enroll your student through the EMA platform. You will receive notification when it is time to log in to your account to approve the release of scholarship funds directly to your school.
It is important to note that scholarship funds are typically released directly to the eligible private school to pay for tuition and fees first. Any remaining funds can then be accessed through an education savings account (ESA) to cover other approved educational expenses. The application process for Step Up For Students scholarships is competitive, and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is advisable to apply as early as possible to increase your chances of securing a scholarship.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Step Up For Students scholarship programs cover the full tuition amount and any remaining funds can be used for other educational expenses.
The scholarship covers transportation, books, tutoring, therapy, and other approved educational expenses.
The scholarship is worth an average of $8,000 per student, but amounts vary based on school tuition and program eligibility.
The funds are awarded quarterly.
