Close mobile close
  • NEWS
  • Our States
    Who We Are
    Donate

    Sign up here  to join our mailing list and receive scholarship updates from Teach Florida

    Applications for ALL families (FTC/FES-EO/FES-UA are now available through Step Up. Please CLICK HERE to create an EMA profile and submit your application.” CLICK HERE to access our comprehensive Pro-Tip Guide.

    Florida offers the MOST state scholarships nationwide.

    Learn about our great state
    programs below.
    Please see our webinar for open enrollment 2023.
    Private School
    Scholarship
    Private School
    Scholarship
    The Family Empowerment Educational Options & Florida Tax Credit Scholarships (FES-EO/FTC), are for students K-12 in the amount of approximately $7,800 for nonpublic school students attending an eligible private school.
    FAQS

    Income Eligibility chart

    new Income Chart

    As of July 1, 2023 the private school scholarship will be universal, but priority will be given to students 185% below the poverty level up to 400% of the poverty level.

    Unique Abilities
    disability Based
    The Family Empowerment Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), is for private school and homeschool students ages 3-22 who have a qualifying disability -in the form of an educational savings account in the amount of approximately $9,500.

    NEW ELIGIBILITIES! See below for the full list.
    FAQS

    Unique Abilities list

    new Unique Abilities list

    • 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. Other 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. A High Risk Child aged 3-5
      (click here)
    • 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
    A child who has a developmental delay in communication, cognition, or physical development

    new Unique Abilities list

    • 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. Other 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. A High Risk Child aged 3-5
      (click here)
    • 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

    Am I Eligible?

    Which Scholarship are you applying for?

    Are you a Florida Resident?

    Is your child in grades K-12?

    Does (or will) your child attend an eligible private school?

    Are you a Florida Resident?

    Is your child between ages 3-22 years of age?

    Does (or will) your child attend a private or homeschool?

    Does your child have an eligible disablity?
    (* See attached disablity chart)

    new Unique Abilities List

    • 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. Other 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. A High Risk Child aged 3-5
      (click here)
    • 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


    Reset Selection

    Sorry, you are most likely not eligible for a scholarship.
    Click here to join our advocacy for expanded scholarship access.

    You Should Be Eligible For A Scholarship.
    Apply today through Step Up for Students or AAA Scholarships.

    FAQs

    SCHOLARSHIPS 2023-2024

    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?

    Keep an eye out for notifications from Step Up for Students and from Teach Florida towards the end of April or beginning of May for notice of open enrollment.

    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?

    Yes.

    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?

    The award amounts have not yet been released but it is based on your county of residence and child’s grade. Here are last year’s amounts.

    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?

    Keep an eye out for notifications from Step Up for Students and from Teach Florida towards the end of April or beginning of May for when applications will open.

    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?
    1. Proof of residency
    2. Diagnosis letter (Step Up) or Diagnosis Document (AAA
    3.  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?

    No.

    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?

    As an Educational Savings Account (ESA), it can be used for a variety of uses. (Tuition and fees, specialized services, tutoring- technology tools, or curricula). Click here for instructions on how to spend the scholarship funds

    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.

    Question Form

      (Click all that apply)
    • (Include all those living in your household plus non-married children 18+ if you are sharing income and expenses)
    • Drop files here or
      Max. file size: 20 MB, Max. files: 5.
        (e.g. denial letters, proof of income, IEP, matrix, etc.)
      • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.