Florida Step Up for Students 2026: Eligibility, Award Amounts & How to Apply

Last Updated: April 2026 | Program Year: 2025–2026

Every child deserves an education that reflects their unique strengths, interests, and learning style. In Florida, families are discovering new ways to support their learners through Step Up for Students — a trusted resource for accessing flexible, individualized learning. With scholarship options covering private school tuition, specialized support, tutoring, and enrichment programs including Outschool classes, Step Up for Students helps families build education plans that grow with their learner.

What is Step Up for Students?

Step Up for Students is a Florida nonprofit that connects families with scholarship funding to support more personalized education. Thanks to expanded legislation, more Florida families than ever can access these scholarships — regardless of income level.

What scholarships are available in 2025–2026?

Private school scholarships (FTC & FES-EO)

Available to all Florida K–12 students eligible for public school, regardless of income. $8,000 average award. 2025–26 applications are currently open. Once tuition and fees are covered, remaining funds can be used for online learning, tutoring, and educational materials.

Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

For students ages 3 through grade 12 (or up to age 22) with one of 23 qualifying diagnoses including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and speech/language impairments. Funds can be used for tuition, therapies, tutoring, curriculum, and approved educational tools. Award amounts vary based on grade level, county, and level of special education services.

Personalized Education Program (PEP)

For families in parent-directed learning. Average award: $8,000. Available to K–12 Florida students in parent-directed learning; student must be at least age 5 by September 1. Funds can cover curriculum, tutors, online classes, and more.

New Worlds Scholarship Accounts

For VPK–5th grade public school students needing extra reading or math support. Funds can be used for tutoring, curriculum, and enrichment.

Hope Scholarship

For K–12 students who have experienced bullying, harassment, or other qualifying incidents at their public school. Applications accepted year-round.

Transportation stipend

$750 for K–8 students attending an out-of-zone public school. One stipend per household.

Who is eligible?

FTC, FES-EO, and PEP: Open to all income levels. Families earning at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (~$93,000 for a family of four) may receive priority if demand exceeds funding. FES-UA: Students with one of 23 qualifying diagnoses; a formal diagnosis or IEP/504 Plan is typically required. New Worlds: VPK–5th grade public school students identified as needing reading or math support.

How to apply

Gather: proof of Florida residency, proof of income if applying for priority consideration, birth certificate or proof of age, and diagnosis or IEP documentation for FES-UA applicants. Apply through the Step Up for Students website. Returning families should apply by April 30 to maintain priority status.

How to use Step Up funds for Outschool classes

Florida families with FES-UA or PEP funds can access Outschool in three ways: (1) purchase Outschool Cash through the Education Marketplace Assistant (EMA) for live classes with pre-approved educators; (2) purchase self-paced classes through MyScholarShop (MSS); (3) pay out of pocket and request reimbursement through your ESA platform. Questions? Email support@outschool.com or visit Outschool's Florida scholarship guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding can my family receive? Most scholarships provide around $8,000/year. FES-UA students may receive $10,000 or more depending on their needs.

Are scholarship funds available for online learning? Yes, if the provider is approved and purchased through MyScholarShop or EMA.

When should we apply? Applications open annually on the Step Up website. Returning families apply by April 30 to maintain priority.

See also: What is an Education Savings Account (ESA)? | Florida ESA guide for families

How to apply

Getting started is easier than you think. Here’s how to get started, step by step:

1. Create an account: Visit the Step Up for Students portal, register as a new user, or log in if you’re a returning applicant. Each family must have a unique login for security and tracking.
2. Choose your scholarship: Once inside the portal, review the available scholarship programs (such as FES-EO or FES-UA). Each program will include eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and benefits.
3. Gather your documents: Commonly required documentation includes:
   • Proof of Florida residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill)
   • Proof of income (recent tax return, pay stubs, or assistance program verification)
   • Birth certificate or proof of age
   • Diagnosis or IEP documentation (for FES-UA applicants with special needs)
4. Complete the application: Fill out the online form carefully. Double-check all uploaded documents for clarity and completeness. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may delay processing or impact approval.
5. Submit early: Processing can take 2–4 weeks, but funds are limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Returning families should apply by April 30 to maintain scholarship continuity.
6. Track your application: You can check your status in real time through your dashboard. Watch for email or text updates about your next steps, such as account approval or requests for additional information.
7. Use your funds: Once approved, connect your funds to eligible services and providers. This may include private schools, online platforms like Outschool, therapists, tutors, or curriculum vendors. You’ll manage your spending through an online education savings account (ESA) tied to your scholarship.

If you need help during the process, Step Up for Students provides family support via phone, email, and live chat through the portal.

How to book Outschool Classes with Step Up For Students

Florida families participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) or the Personalized Education Program (PEP) can use their education savings account (ESA) funds to purchase eligible classes on Outschool.

There are two ways to pay for Outschool classes with your ESA:

1. Purchase Outschool Cash through the Education Marketplace Assistant (EMA). These funds can then be used to purchase live classes with pre-approved EMA educators. This eliminates the need to pay out of pocket and allows families to book classes directly with their scholarship funds.
2. Purchase self-paced asynchronous classes through MyScholarShop: Outschool’s asynchronous self-paced are listed directly in MyScholarShop, the online marketplace for FES-UA families. You can shop and pay for these classes using your ESA funds without needing reimbursement.
3. Request Reimbursement for Live Online Classes: If your learner is taking live online Outschool classes (such as small-group sessions or 1:1 tutoring), you can pay out of pocket and submit the receipt for reimbursement through your ESA platform (EMA or ClassWallet, depending on your program).

If you have questions or feedback, email support@outschool.com.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Still have questions about how Step Up for Students works? Here are quick answers to help you navigate funding, eligibility, and the application process.

How much funding can my family receive?

Most scholarships provide about $8,000 per year, while students in the FES-UA program may receive $10,000 or more, depending on their needs. Funds can be used for tuition, curriculum, therapy, and approved services.

What support is available for students with unique abilities?

The FES-UA scholarship offers an education savings account (ESA) for students with qualifying disabilities. Families can use the funds for private school, therapy, tutoring, technology, and more. Eligibility requires a formal diagnosis or IEP/504 Plan.

What are the income requirements?

FTC, FES-EO, and PEP scholarships are open to all income levels. Still, priority goes to families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (around $90,000 for a family of four) if demand exceeds available funds.

Can scholarship funds be used for online learning?

Yes. Families can use funds for live online classes, tutoring, curriculum, and enrichment if the provider is approved and purchased through platforms like MyScholarShop or EMA.

When should families apply?

Applications open annually on the Step Up website. Returning families should apply by April 30 to keep priority status. Hope Scholarship applicants may apply anytime after submitting a verified Hope Notification Form.

Build your learner’s future with Step Up For Students 

Step Up for Students gives Florida families the tools to create an education that fits their learner’s needs—whether attending private school, accessing therapies, or learning from home. With flexible funding and multiple scholarship options, you can personalize your learner’s educational journey without the financial strain.

Many families use their scholarship funds to enroll in live and flexible ESA-eligible classes through Outschool, where learners explore core subjects, creative interests, and social opportunities in a supportive setting. Check your eligibility, apply, and start building the educational experience your learner deserves.