Demystifying Step Up for Students in Florida

Demystifying Step Up For Students: What Florida Families Need to Know

When it comes to empowering your child’s education in Florida, Step Up For Students is a name worth getting to know. This nonprofit scholarship funding organization opens the door to multiple educational options—be it private schooling, homeschools, tutoring, therapies, or even simply covering transportation. Here’s a closer look at what families across Florida should understand about this vital resource.

What Is Step Up For Students?

Founded in 2002, Step Up For Students is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Jacksonville. It emerged through the merger of Florida PRIDE and Children First and has since evolved into the state’s largest scholarship administrator. Today, it manages around five scholarship programs that serve hundreds of thousands of students across Florida.

Its mission is clear: to expand educational opportunities for families who might not otherwise have the financial or informational resources to explore school choice.

Scholarship Programs at a Glance

1. Private School Scholarships (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship & Family Empowerment Scholarship – Educational Options, FTC/FES-EO)

• These scholarships allow families to use state-backed funding to cover the cost of tuition and fees at participating private schools across Florida.

• Awards average around $8,000 per student, though the amount may vary by grade level and county.

• Funds are paid directly to the school, giving families peace of mind that tuition is covered.

2. Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)

• Designed for students with specific diagnoses or developmental needs—from age 3 through grade 12, or up to age 22.

• Provides an education savings account averaging $10,000, usable for private school tuition, therapy, curriculum, tutoring, and more.

3. New Worlds Scholarship

• Tailored for VPK and K–5 public school students who struggle with literacy or math.

• Funding supports tutoring, summer or after-school learning programs, curriculum materials, and more through an education savings account.

4. Personalized Education Program (PEP)

• For K–12 students not enrolled in public or Florida Home Education programs.

• Offers approximately $8,000 for a parent-directed education pathway including homeschooling, part-time learning, online programs, and tutoring.

5. Transportation Stipend

• Available to K–8 students who attend a public school outside their assigned district.

• Provides $750 per household to help with commuting costs.

Who Is Eligible—and What Changes Should You Know?

One of the most important things for Florida families to understand is that eligibility has expanded significantly in recent years.

• All Florida K–12 students can now apply. Thanks to updates in state legislation, every child who is eligible to attend public school in Florida may apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students, regardless of household income. This expansion has opened the door for many middle-income families who previously may not have qualified.

• Priority still matters. While the scholarships are open to all, certain groups receive priority when funds are distributed. These include:

  • Students from households earning at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.

  • Children in foster care or who have been adopted.

  • Students experiencing homelessness.

  • Children of active-duty U.S. military members.

  • Students who have experienced bullying, harassment, assault, or violence in a public school setting.

• Unique Abilities criteria remain specific. For the FES-UA scholarship, students must have a documented disability or developmental diagnosis (such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or speech/language impairment). Eligibility extends from age 3 through grade 12, or until the student turns 22.

• Income verification looks different. While there is no longer a strict income cap for participation in most scholarships, families applying under the income priority category will need to provide documentation such as tax returns or proof of public assistance to demonstrate financial need.

• Renewals are critical. Families must reapply each year to continue receiving scholarship funds. While returning students generally have priority, missing renewal deadlines can cause delays or even loss of funding.

• New changes make ESAs more flexible. For programs like FES-UA and PEP, funds are now placed in an Education Savings Account (ESA) that families can use across approved expenses. This flexibility allows parents to combine private school tuition with tutoring, therapies, curriculum, or online learning—making it easier to tailor education to each child’s needs.

A Snapshot of How It Works

1. Apply via Step Up For Students website during the application window.

2. Once approved, funds are often sent directly to schools or applied through an Education Savings Account (ESA), depending on the program.

3. Families—especially those in the Unique Abilities program—may access purchases via a platform like MyScholarShop and navigate included/excluded items carefully.

4. Note: applications for the 2025–26 school year are open for most scholarships, though some like PEP and transportation require sign-up alerts for 2026–27.

Why It Matters

• Step Up has awarded over 1 million scholarships and continues to be a key player in expanding school choice in Florida.

• Its flexibility supports diverse needs—from special services to customized education—to ensure students can learn in environments where they thrive.

• As public school options remain limited or challenging for many, Step Up represents a vital mechanism families can use to shape their child’s educational journey.

Optima Academy Online: A Step Up For Students Partner

Optima Academy Online is proud to be an approved Step Up For Students partner and vendor. This means Florida families who receive the PEP, EO, or Unique Abilities scholarships can use their funds to:

• Enroll in our accredited online courses, designed to combine classical learning with innovative virtual reality experiences.

• Purchase subscriptions to our VR Exploration Field Trips, giving students the chance to “travel” the world and explore history, science, and culture in immersive 3D learning environments.

For families looking to personalize their child’s education, these scholarships make it easier than ever to access Optima’s flexible, innovative learning solutions.

Tips for Families at Optima Academy Online

• Explore your options early! Even if your child attends public school now, a private or hybrid setup may suit their future needs.

• Check eligibility per program—income may not be a barrier.

• Gather documentation for diagnoses, income, or other qualifying factors now to avoid delays.

• Attend informational webinars or open houses—Step Up offers these regularly.

• Stay alert for application deadlines; track renewal dates, and keep contact info updated.

Final Thoughts

Step Up For Students is more than a scholarship program—it’s a gateway to educational flexibility, personalization, and opportunity. At Optima Academy Online, we champion empowered learning—this resource can be a powerful tool for Florida families, helping ensure that every child can find the academic path that unlocks their potential.