Private-School Scholarships
Designed to give parents on average a $7,800 educational savings account to pay for the cost of tuition and fees at a an eligible private school, and other educational expenses including educational curriculum and academic tutoring. Once a child qualifies, the child will receive the funds until they graduate from high school if they remain at a Florida private school and apply annually.
Who is eligible?
Any child who is school aged (starting from the time they are 5 by Sept 1st entering kindergarten or 6 by Sept 1st entering 1st grade-12th grade), who attends an eligible private school.
How can I find out if my private school is eligible to receive the private school scholarship?
You can use the private school directory or directly ask your school if they have gone through the state compliance process.
When do I apply for 2023-2024?
Where do I apply?
We recommend applying through Step Up for Students when applications open. There is a new portal called EMA (Educational Management Assistant) on the Step Up platform.
What documents will I need to qualify as a new family?
You will need proof of residency and possibly income documentation from the last 30-days.
What are acceptable proof of residency documents?
Florida driver’s license, lease or mortgage, or utility bill.
Can my child qualify without a social security number?
What income documents are acceptable?
If you are employed, your paystubs from the last 30-days are required. If you are self-employed, then a profit/loss statement from the last 30-days is needed. As of July 1, 2023 the scholarship will be universal with no income restriction with priority given to those below 185% of poverty.
What is the scholarship amount?
On average the voucher is $7,800 per child.
Click here for the award chart.
What are the age limitations?
A child is eligible who is school-aged (5 by September 1st; entering kindergarten or 6 by September 1st entering 1st grade.), through 12th grade graduation.
How do I determine my household size?
Household size is determined by counting all children and adults living in the house who are financially supported. (all the individuals benefits are reported under income eg. pension, retirement, unemployment etc.)
Do siblings of disability recipients qualify without meeting the income thresholds?
Yes. Please click here to access the directions of completing the income-based scholarship without submitting income information.
How can the scholarship be used?
Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes, but once you receive the scholarship you do not have to requalify to just need to reapply by completing an intent to continue
Can a student already receiving an income-based scholarship qualify for this private school scholarship in addition?
The scholarships cannot be combined so if your child is already receiving a scholarship, they would not be eligible for additional funding.
Can I apply for both the private school scholarship and unique abilities scholarship if I have a child attending private school with a disability?
You can apply for both, but once awarded you would need to choose between the scholarships.
Unique Abilities Scholarship
Designed to give parents an educational savings account to pay for approved services or products to support the education of their special needs child. The scholarship amount varies depending on the severity of the disability. (Scholarship amounts start on average at $9,500). Children as young as 3 can qualify until they turn 22 years of age.
Who is eligible?
Children aged 3 (by Sept 1) through 12th grade who have one of the following qualifying disabilities:
a. Autism Spectrum disorder
b. Cerebral palsy
c. Down syndrome
d. An intellectual disability
e. A speech impairment
f. A language impairment
g. An orthopedic impairment
h. Another health impairment
i. An emotional or behavioral disability
j. A specific learning disability, including, but not limited to dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia
k. Phelan-McDermid syndrome
l. Prader-Willi syndrome
m. Spina bifida
n. Is considered a high-risk child
o. Muscular dystrophy
p. Williams syndrome
q. Rare diseases https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and- families/information-resources/rare-disease-information/
r. Anaphylaxis
s. A hearing impairment, including deafness
t. A visual impairment, including blindness
u. Traumatic brain injury
v. Hospital or homebound
w. Identification as dual sensory impaired
Where do I apply?
We recommend applying through Step Up for Students when applications open. There is a new portal called EMA (Educational Management Assistant) on the Step Up platform.
When is Step Up for Students 2022-2023 open enrollment period?
What are the scholarship amounts?
It varies depending on the disability and if the child has an IEP and has a matrix score. It is projected that it will be
in the range of $9,500. Click here for the award chart.
What is the process for renewal applicants on Step Up?
You must complete the intent to continue/ application that includes; demographic information and the name of the school the child will attend etc. NO documentation will be requested.
If I am waitlisted for the unique ability scholarship this year, am I guaranteed funding for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year?
Yes, as long as you reapply when open enrollment begins. The new bill expands the enrollment cap to cover the existing waitlist.
What documents need to be attached to a new application for processing?
- Proof of residency
- Diagnosis letter (Step Up) or Diagnosis Document (AAA
- Child’s Birth Certificate
What documents do I need to provide to show proof of residency?
A mortgage document or lease agreement, utility bill, or Florida driver’s license.
Can my child qualify without a social security number?
What kind of practitioner can give the disability determination?
The law states that it needs to either be a medical doctor or a licensed psychologist.
for Step Up, can you submit an evaluation from a Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational, or Physical Therapist?
No. A doctor (pediatrician) or psychologist must write a diagnosis letters based on the therapists evaluation.
Is there guide for the application process?
Yes. Teach Florida has created the attached guide to help you through the process.
Do I need to re-apply every year?
Yes. You need to reapply each year as a renewal applicant.
Do I ever have to requalify with a new diagnosis?
Yes. If your child has a high-risk disability then the year they turn 6 by September 1st, they will need to requalify under a different disability category.
How can the scholarship be used?
What is the deadline for submitting reimbursement requests for services and educational materials?
Each year, because of the state’s fiscal year, there is a deadline for submitting any reimbursement for expenses occurring June 30 or earlier by August 31.
Can the scholarship be used to pay for preschool tuition?
If the preschool is an approved provider. It cannot be paired with the VPK funding so families have to choose.
What is the process of getting my child a matrix review?
Once a child is conditionally eligible for the award there is an option to request a matrix review. (contact your public school of residence ESE department to make a formal request). A matrix review if for children with more severe disabilities.
When will funds be available?
You will receive quarterly payments in September, November, February, and April (Reimbursements can be backdated to July 1st.
