What is Florida’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)?
Your guide to Florida’s flexible scholarship programs and how to use them to personalize your child’s education.
Florida offers several scholarships to help families create a more personalized K–12 learning path. These programs provide public education funding through Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), which can be used for private school tuition, homeschool resources, tutoring, and more.
If you're exploring alternatives to your local public school, supporting a child with specific learning needs, or building a home education plan, these scholarships can help fund the path that fits your learner best.
What is an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)?
An Empowerment Scholarship or Education Savings Account (ESA) is a flexible education fund that families can use for approved learning expenses, like private school tuition, curriculum, tutoring, or online programs.
In Florida, ESA-style funding is available through certain scholarship programs. The Family Empowerment Scholarship and the Florida Tax Credit ESA both offer this type of account.
What scholarship options are available in Florida?
Florida offers multiple scholarship programs that provide ESA-style funding. Each one is built to support different student needs, from income-based eligibility to disability diagnoses or academic performance.
Here are the key ESA programs available to families in Florida:
Florida Tax Credit Education Savings Account (FTC ESA): A privately funded scholarship that can be used for private school or personalized education through a homeschool-style program.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA): A flexible ESA for students with qualifying disabilities, covering a wide range of learning and therapeutic expenses.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO): A tuition-focused scholarship that supports private school enrollment or transportation to an out-of-district public school.
New Worlds Scholarship: Designed for K–5 public school students who need extra support in reading or math. This scholarship provides ESA funding for tutoring and literacy tools.
Each program has its own eligibility requirements, approved uses, and rules for how families apply and stay enrolled. We’ll walk through each one in detail below.
Florida Tax Credit Education Savings Account
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) is privately funded through corporate donations and administered by approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) like Step Up For Students and AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Families who qualify can choose to receive their scholarship as an Education Savings Account (ESA), which offers more flexibility than traditional tuition support.
Families who want to use their FTC scholarship to homeschool must enroll in a Personalized Education Program (PEP). This lets them access ESA funds for curriculum, tutoring, online classes, and more—while creating a custom learning path at home. To participate, families must register with an approved SFO and submit a learning plan.
Eligibility
Residency: The student must be a Florida resident
Grade Level: Eligible for students entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
Income: There is no income limit for eligibility. However, priority is given to students whose household income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level, followed by those with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
Special Categories:
Students in foster care or out-of-home care
Siblings of students currently receiving the scholarship
Students who are homeless
Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an eligible private school or participate in a personalized education program.
Rules & Regulations
Application Process: Families must apply through one of Florida's approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs), such as Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Use of Funds:
Tuition and fees at eligible private schools.
Transportation costs up to $750 for attending an out-of-district public school.
Personalized education programs, including homeschooling expenses, tutoring, online courses, instructional materials, and curriculum.
Testing Requirements: Students participating in the scholarship program must take a nationally norm-referenced test approved by the Department of Education annually.
Continuation: Once awarded, students remain eligible until they graduate high school, return to public school, or turn 21, whichever comes first.
Restrictions:
Students cannot receive funding from both the FTC and other state scholarship programs simultaneously.
Students enrolled full-time in public schools, including charter schools, are not eligible.
Students enrolled in virtual schools receiving state funding are not eligible.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities gives families of students with special needs access to flexible education funding through an Empowement Scholarship Acoount (ESA).
This scholarship is designed to support customized learning—whether that means private school, homeschooling, therapies, curriculum, or specialized services. Families can use funds for approved expenses that help meet their child’s unique learning goals, all in the environment that works best for them.
Eligibility
Residency: The student must be a Florida resident.
Age: Eligible students are between 3 and 22 years old.
Disability Diagnosis: The student must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a documented diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist for one of the following disabilities:
Autism spectrum disorder
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Intellectual disability
Spina bifida
Muscular dystrophy
Speech or language impairment
Other health impairments, including rare diseases as defined by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
High-Risk Category: Students aged 3 to 5 deemed "high risk" due to developmental delays may also be eligible.
Documentation: An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist.
For a comprehensive list of disabilities supported under this program, refer to the official website of the Florida Department of Education.
Rules & regulations
Application Process: Families must apply through one of Florida's approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs), such as Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Use of Funds:
Tuition and fees at eligible private schools
Specialized services by approved providers
Tutoring and therapy services
Instructional materials and devices
Curriculum and online education programs
Home education expenses
Fees for standardized testing and industry certifications
Contributions to Florida Prepaid College Program or 529 Savings Plans
Funding: Scholarship amounts vary based on the student's grade level and county of residence. Funds are deposited quarterly into the student's ESA
Continuation: Students remain eligible until they graduate from high school, reach age 22, or return to public school, whichever occurs first.
Restrictions:
Students cannot participate in both FES-UA and FES-EO simultaneously.
Students enrolled full-time in public schools, including charter schools, are not eligible.
Funds must be used for approved educational expenses; misuse may result in revocation of the scholarship.
Education Provider Guidelines:
Must be approved or accredited by the state of Florida
Background checks for the teachers are mandatory, the teachers must have a bachelor’s degree, 3 years of experience teaching, or special expertise.
The state does not require curriculum or attendance details.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options helps Florida families access funding to support private school enrollment and other approved educational expenses. If you're exploring options beyond your local public school, this scholarship can help cover tuition and approved education costs at participating private schools.
Eligibility
Residency: The student must be a Florida resident.
Grade Level: Available to students entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
Enrollment: The student must be eligible to enroll in a Florida public school.
Priority Consideration:
Students whose household income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Students in foster care or out-of-home care.
Secondary priority is given to students with household incomes above 185% but not exceeding 400% of the federal poverty level.
Special Categories:
Siblings of students receiving FES-EO or FES-UA scholarships.
Dependent children of active-duty military members or law enforcement officers.
Students who are homeless.
Rules & regulations
Application Process: Families must apply through one of Florida's approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs), such as Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Use of Funds:
Tuition and fees at eligible private schools.
Transportation costs up to $750 for attending an out-of-district public school.
Continuation: Once awarded, students remain eligible until they graduate high school, return to public school, or turn 21, whichever comes first.
Restrictions:
Students enrolled in public schools (including charter schools) are not eligible.
Students participating in other state-funded scholarship programs are not eligible.
Students enrolled in virtual schools receiving state funding are not eligible.
You can visit the official website for Florida’s Department of Education to know more about eligibility and regulations for this program.
The New Worlds Scholarship
The New Worlds Scholarship is designed to support Florida students in grades K–5 who struggle with reading and math by providing access to personalized education programs through an Education Savings Account (ESA). Funded by the state and administered by Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs), such as Step Up For Students, the scholarship empowers families to access supplemental learning tools and reading instruction outside the traditional classroom setting.
Eligibility
Residency: The student must be a Florida resident.
Grade Level: Students must be enrolled in grades K–5 in a Florida public school.
Performance Criteria:
The student must have scored below grade level in reading on the most recent statewide standardized assessment.
Alternatively, students may qualify if they are determined by their school district to have a substantial reading deficiency (as defined in state law).
Enrollment Requirement: The student must be enrolled in a Florida public school for the current academic year.
Rules & regulations
Application Process: Families must apply through an approved Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO), such as Step Up For Students. Documentation of reading deficiency or standardized test scores will be required.
Use of Funds:
Tutoring services from approved providers
Supplemental reading curriculum and instructional materials
Online programs that support reading development
Educational tools and devices specifically used to enhance literacy
Funding: Scholarship amounts are determined by the Florida Department of Education and are deposited into an ESA for quarterly use.
Continuation: The scholarship may be renewed annually, provided the student continues to meet eligibility criteria.
Restrictions:
Funds must be used solely for approved literacy-related educational expenses.
Students cannot receive funding from both the New Worlds Scholarship and other ESA-based reading programs simultaneously.
Education Provider Guidelines:
Providers offering instruction or tutoring must be approved by the state and demonstrate a track record of literacy support.
Curriculum providers must align with Florida’s reading standards.
How to use your Florida Scholarship funds on Outschool
Outschool is an approved ESA provider for Florida families using the Family Empowerment Scholarship and Florida Tax Credit ESA. That means you can apply scholarship funds toward eligible live classes, tutoring, or curriculum support.
Use Outschool to build a custom-fit schedule that supports your learner’s needs at home or through hybrid learning.
Families often use ESA funds on:
Live, small-group classes led by experienced educators
Complete curriculums and interest-based learning options
Flexible scheduling that fits your routine
Support for homeschooling, private school, or hybrid learning
Classes that meet Florida scholarship guidelines
Frequently asked questions about Florida Empowerment Scholarships
Here are some common questions families have when navigating Florida’s Empowerment Scholarship programs—from eligibility to how the funds can actually be used.
Who qualifies for the Empowerment Scholarship in Florida?
Eligibility depends on which version of the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship you're applying for:
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO): Open to all Florida K–12 students eligible for public school. As of 2025, this scholarship now uses an ESA model, allowing families to spend funds on private school tuition, curriculum, tutoring, testing, online programs, and more.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) supports students ages 3–22 with a qualifying disability. It offers flexible funding through a Florida Education Savings Account that can be used for private school, therapies, curriculum, and home education.
The Florida Tax Credit ESA is privately funded and also prioritizes lower-income families. It can be used for private school tuition or for personalized education, including homeschooling.
The New Worlds Scholarship: Available to K–5 public school students who are not yet reading at grade level. To qualify, students must either score below grade level on a statewide standardized reading test or be identified by their school district as having a substantial reading deficiency. This scholarship provides ESA funds for tutoring, literacy tools, and supplemental reading programs.
Each program has its own application process and guidelines, but all are designed to give Florida families more options for how and where their children learn.
How do I apply for the Family Empowerment Scholarship in Florida?
To apply for any Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship, families must submit an application through an approved Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO), such as Step Up For Students or the AAA Scholarship Foundation.
The same process applies to the Florida education savings account application—you'll choose your preferred scholarship program and complete the application directly on the SFO's website.
Can I use the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for homeschooling?
Yes. Families using the Family Empowerment Scholarship or the Florida Tax Credit ESA can use their Florida education savings account for homeschoolers, including expenses like curriculum, online courses, instructional tools, and tutoring.
The Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) was recently made available for all Florida K-12 students eligible for public school. The use of funds extends beyond private school tuition, including usage for curriculum, tutoring, testing, online programs, and more.
How much funding will my child receive?
The exact amount depends on the program, your child’s grade level, and your county of residence. For School Choice programs, funds are typically distributed quarterly and may vary each year.
Can my child receive more than one scholarship at the same time?
No, students may only receive one state-approved scholarship at a time. For example, you cannot receive both the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities or combine a Florida Tax Credit ESA with another scholarship.
Are there any income limits to qualify?
The income limits may vary depending on the program you apply for.
Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities is based on a qualifying diagnosis, not income.
Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Choices and Florida Tax Credit ESA prioritize students from lower- and middle-income households, but income is not a hard cutoff for eligibility—just a factor in application priority.
What expenses can the Florida Empowerment Scholarship funds cover?
For families using the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities or the Florida Tax Credit ESA, funds can be used for a range of educational expenses, including:
Private school tuition
Curriculum and instructional materials
Online learning programs
Tutors and therapists
Testing fees and learning assessments
Home education expenses
How long does the scholarship last?
Scholarships are typically renewed quarterly as long as your child remains eligible. Most programs continue through high school graduation or until your child returns to public school or turns 21.
Empowering personalized education choices
Florida’s ESA programs give families more control over how their children learn—and more options to build an education that fits. Whether you’re looking for private school funding, specialized support for unique learning needs, or a way to make homeschooling more affordable, there’s a scholarship designed to help.
By understanding the differences between each program, you can make an informed choice that supports your goals and your child’s growth. And if you're planning to use ESA funds, platforms like Outschool make it easy to turn that funding into flexible, high-quality learning at home or beyond.
