Step Up for Students

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 or 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’s your child; it’s your choice.

These scholarships were created by the Florida Legislature in 2001 to assure 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 the 2015-16 school year:

1. A child entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before September 1st.

2. A child entering first grade must be 6 on or before September 1st

3. 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 chart below. 

Eligibility for children who qualify based on income:

Number of People in Household                        Total Gross Monthly Household Income

2015-16 scholarship income guidelines               add $641 for each additional member

2                                                                        $2,456

                     3                                                                         $3,098

                     4                                                                         $3,739

Household income must be at/or below the income criteria found in the chart

Or, if a member of the household receives SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or FDPIR, the student may qualify.

Or, if the household income qualifies for free or reduced –price lunch, the student may qualify.