FTC & FES-EO
For private-school families
The classic scholarship: pays private school tuition and fees at participating schools, up to your child's award amount. Any leftover can go to other approved costs.
≈ $8,000 / child / year
Florida K-12 · 2026–27 School Year
Florida will help pay for your child's education. Yes, yours.
Since 2023, Florida's K-12 scholarships have no household income cap. Private school, homeschooling through PEP — there's a scholarship path for nearly every Florida family, worth roughly $8,000 per child, per year. This guide explains it all in plain English.
~$8,000
avg. award / child / yr
$0
cost to apply
500,000+
FL students already use one
The 60-Second Check
Three taps. No personal information leaves this page.
Do you live in Florida?
Is your child school-age (K–12)?
What's your dream setup?
Grade A
You likely qualify.
~$8,000 per child, per year
Estimate only — your exact award depends on grade & county. This tool runs entirely in your browser; nothing you tap is sent anywhere.
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Pick your crate
Three programs. One family of scholarships.
All three are applied for in one place (the EMA portal) and funded the same way. The difference is how your child learns.
PEP
For homeschool-style families
The Personalized Education Program turns the same scholarship into a flexible education account: curriculum, tutoring, instructional materials, and more — you direct it.
≈ $8,000 / child / year
FES-UA
For students with unique abilities
A separate, larger scholarship for students with disabilities — therapies, specialists, equipment and instruction, managed through the same portal.
Varies by need
Do the math
What could your family receive?
Slide to your family size. Watch what a year — and a full K-12 run — could look like.
Using the ≈ $8,000 average award. Your exact amount varies by grade and county — the state posts the official schedule each year.
Estimates for planning only, not a guarantee of award. Runs entirely in your browser.
Mark the calendar
The season, at a glance
Free · about 30 minutes
Apply in four steps
Create your free EMA account
EMA is the official portal run by Step Up For Students. One parent account covers all your kids. Have your ID and proof of Florida residency handy.
Pick the scholarship that fits
Private school → FTC/FES-EO. Homeschooling → PEP. Student with special needs → FES-UA. (Our FTC vs PEP guide makes this a 2-minute decision.)
Upload documents & submit
Residency proof and birth certificate are the big two. Apply early — applications are processed in order, and funds are awarded as they go.
Get awarded, then enroll or shop
Private-school families: your school confirms enrollment and tuition flows. PEP families: your account funds and you start purchasing curriculum & tutoring through the platform.
Applying is free. Protect yourself from copycats.
- There is no application fee through the official portal. Treat any "processing fee" or "priority placement fee" as a red flag.
- Step Up For Students says it will never ask for copies of your debit/credit card, never texts you for personal details, and its real emails come from @sufs.org — see its Security Center.
- The FTC's rule of thumb: no legitimate company ever asks to be paid with gift cards.
- When in doubt, call Step Up For Students directly: 1-877-735-7837 (Mon–Fri, 8–5 ET).
Straight answers
Questions every family asks
Is there really no income limit?
Correct. Since Florida's HB 1 (2023), any Florida resident student eligible to enroll in K-12 may apply, regardless of household income. Priority in line goes first to households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level and children in foster or out-of-home care, then to households up to 400% — but no family is excluded by income.
How much is the scholarship worth?
It varies by county and grade: the official 2026-27 schedule runs from $7,463 to $12,217 per student, with most counties around $7,500–$9,000 — Step Up For Students describes the average as about $8,000. Our amounts guide breaks it down.
Can I use it to homeschool?
Yes — that's PEP (Personalized Education Program). Instead of tuition, your award becomes a flexible education account for curriculum, tutoring, instructional materials and other approved categories, and PEP parents update a Student Learning Plan at least annually. Note: PEP is at capacity for 2026-27; the next application window is expected around February 1, 2027.
Can we still get a scholarship for THIS school year (2026-27)?
Private school (FTC/FES-EO): yes — new applications are open through November 15, 2026. PEP (homeschool): no — it reached capacity and closed April 30, 2026. Set a reminder and apply for 2027-28 the moment the window opens.
Does applying cost anything?
No — there is no application fee through the official EMA portal. Treat anyone charging a fee as a red flag, and check Step Up For Students' Security Center guidance above.
My child is in public school now. Can we still apply?
Yes. You can apply while enrolled in public school; the scholarship takes effect when your child moves to a participating private school or begins PEP.
When should we apply?
The first days the window opens — new awards are first-come, first-served (with priority for lower-income families and renewals). The 2026-27 season opened February 1, 2026; renewals ran through April 30 with awards accepted by May 31. Expect a similar calendar for 2027-28.
Who actually runs these scholarships?
Nonprofit Scholarship-Funding Organizations approved by the state — primarily Step Up For Students, and AAA Scholarship Foundation. This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with either, or with any government agency.
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