If you had a Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), or PEP Scholarship and enrolled in a public school, your scholarship will end and the remaining funds will be returned to the state.
As a public-school student, you may be eligible for a Transportation Stipend.
If your student was found eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and you would like to switch to a PEP Scholarship (FTCPEP), this can only be done before that year’s PEP Scholarship acceptance deadline. For 2025-26, the acceptance deadline was May 31, 2025. After that deadline, students are not able to switch from the Private School Scholarship to the PEP Scholarship.
If your student was found eligible for PEP, and you would like to switch to a Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), do not decline their scholarship in EMA. After accepting the scholarship, call us at 1-877-735-7837 to request this switch.
Florida law prohibits a family from applying for more than one scholarship at a time for an individual student. You can apply for a new scholarship once you’ve been denied or have declined, or withdrawn an awarded scholarship.
Yes. If you are an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida, you will be eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) and the PEP Scholarship before you make your move. You can apply with your newly assigned base address or new Florida residential address (if you have one) and upload your permanent change of station paperwork with your application.
Yes, as long as Florida residency is legally maintained and can be documented using a Leave and Earnings Statement or the IRS Declaration of Domicile Form 2058. Please note this option is only available to renewal Unique Abilities or PEP students.
Active-duty military with change of station orders out-of-state may apply for, or renew their Unique Abilities or PEP Scholarships, if they can prove maintenance of Florida residency. You will not be eligible to keep the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) to attend private schools out of state.
Coming in 2027
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
For information and updates on this opportunity
A New Scholarship, A Brighter Future
Introducing the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, a new scholarship opportunity made possible through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. Families will be able to use these funds in addition to other Step Up For Students Scholarships. More funding means more choice, more learning, more support and more growing.
Private school tuition and fees
Tutoring and academic support services
Special education services and therapies
Books, curriculum, and educational materials
Technology such as computers or learning devices
Classroom and educational supplies
What is Step Up, Step Further?
The Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund is a new scholarship opportunity made possible by the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 for individuals who donate in support of education choice.
Donations will be accepted beginning January 1, 2027, and will be used to fund scholarships for K–12 students in both public and private schools, expanding access to educational options.
