EDUCATION RESOURCES

Step Up For Students was created to help alleviate the enormous educational challenges faced by children in Florida who live in or near poverty. The program provides Tax Credit Scholarships to students in K-12 who come from low-income families. These scholarships allow the students to consider a participating private school or an out-of-district public school that may better suit their individual needs, an option which already is available to families of greater financial means.

Did you know about these two Florida K-12 scholarship opportunities administered by Step Up For Students?:​

• The Personal Learning Scholarship Account (PLSA) is a new program that helps families personalize educational plans for their children with special needs. To qualify, students in kindergarten through 12th grade must be diagnosed with one of the following: autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Spina bifida, Williams syndrome or an intellectual disability (severe cognitive impairment). Also, kindergarteners who are five years old and deemed “high risk” due to developmental delays may be eligible. The PLSA allows parents to direct scholarship funds toward a combination of programs and approved providers including private schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account.
• Another option is the income-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), a program created in 2001 that provides low-income families with financial assistance toward private school tuition and fees, or with transportation costs to attend a public school in another county. If a family’s household income qualifies for the free- or reduced-price school lunch program (185% of the federal poverty guidelines), or if the family receives SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or FDPIR, the student may be eligible. Children in foster care or out-of-home care, or those who are homeless also may be eligible.

Step Up For Students is a nonprofit approved by the state to help administer both programs.