Good news — your child is the right age for this scholarship.
Step Up For Students is for children entering Kindergarten through 12th grade. You’re in the right place.
Step Up For Students
A state scholarship that pays private-school tuition for eligible Florida families — if eligible, many use it to bring tuition to ≈$0 out of pocket. Plain-language guide below; no jargon.
Not sure if your child qualifies? Find out in 2 minutes.
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll tell you which scholarships your child can use — and show the Tampa schools that accept them, with your real price.
Who Qualifies?
Key: As of 2023, there is no income limit for the FES scholarship. All Florida K-12 students are eligible.
How to Apply
- 1Create an accountVisit the Step Up For Students website and create a parent account during the open enrollment window (typically February–September).
- 2Submit your applicationProvide proof of Florida residency, your child’s age/grade, and household information.
- 3Choose a participating schoolOnce approved, select from 2,000+ private schools across Florida that accept the scholarship.
- 4Enroll and attendThe scholarship funds are sent directly to the school. You may owe the difference if tuition exceeds the award.
340 Tampa Bay schools accept this scholarship
See them ranked by fit for your child, with your real price — often ≈$0 if eligible.
What Is Step Up For Students?
Step Up For Students administers Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) and the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship, which provide scholarships covering tuition at participating private schools. Together they make up the largest school choice program in the country, serving over 500,000 students across Florida.
AdmitCompass is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Step Up For Students or the State of Florida. Award amounts and eligibility are set by the state and change year to year. We never take payment from schools.