During divorce, deciding where a child will attend school is often a contentious issues. The matter becomes even more complicated when the parents consider alternatives to public school. This is especially true with private school, which can lead to disputes over who will bear the cost.
In recent years, many parents have discussed Florida’s Step Up For Students Scholarship program during mediation, which for many makes private school financially attainable. I have familiarized myself with the program to better understand how it works. This month’s newsletter provides an overview of the scholarship opportunities and how they may impact schooling decisions in divorce cases.
Introduction
February is often thought of as the month of love. For many parents across Florida, it’s also the month the opportunity to apply for Step Up For Students Scholarships begins. Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, regardless of household income, to students in grades K-12 to “empower Florida’s K-12 students to thrive with customized education.” They awarded over 500,000 scholarships for the current school year, funded by tax programs, individual donations, workplace giving, planned giving and more.
Step Up For Students’ mission is to allow students to “pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options” by:
- Providing students with access to private schools that would otherwise be out of many families’ financial reach.
- Providing a wider range of academic programs and materials to meet the needs of students with unique abilities.
- Providing tools and guidelines for homeschooled students.
Overview
The scholarships allow education funding to follow the child rather than the district. This means dollars allocated for each student are received by whichever school the child attends.
Award amounts vary by county. For the current school year, the average stipend was $8,000 for Private School Scholarships and $10,000 for the Unique Abilities Scholarship. Specific amounts for the 2026-2027 school year will be announced in July 2026.
For the 2026-27 school year, scholarships are offered regardless of household income. There is no fee to apply for a Step Up For Students Scholarship and no payback. Funds already spent on authorized expenses generally do not need to be repaid if the student leaves the program.
All applicants must be a Florida resident or dependent of an active-duty U.S. military member with PCS orders to Florida, or a renewing FES-UA student whose parent or guardian is stationed outside Florida but maintains Florida as the home of record.
Important application deadlines are provided at the bottom of the newsletter.
Private School Scholarships
There are two private school scholarships: the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC). They are identical except that a student’s Social Security number is not required to apply for the FTC scholarship. These scholarships allow student to attend a private school that best meets their academic needs by providing financial assistance for tuition and related costs.
Eligibility
K-12 students, regardless of household income, who are eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school.
Scholarship Awards
FES-EO and FTC scholarships are awarded in the following order of priority:
- Students renewing their Private School Scholarship (FTC or FES-EO).
- Students whose household income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level as outlined in the income priority guidelines or who are in foster care or out-of-home care.
- Students whose household income is between 185% and 400% of the federal poverty level as outlined in the income priority guidelines.
- While proof of income is not a determining factor, families who choose not to provide income during the application process will receive last priority and have less assurance of receiving a scholarship offer.
View the income priority guidelines.
Usage of Private School Scholarship Funds
Private School Scholarships cover tuition and fees* at eligible private schools. Search for eligible and participating private schools.
NOTE: The information is currently being updated to reflect the 2026-27 school year.
Any remaining funds can be accessed through an education savings account (set up for each student) to pay for items that support student education, such as instructional materials, curriculum, fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced tests and other assessments and tuition as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School.
*Tuition difference: Tuition and fees for many participating private schools are higher than the monetary value of the scholarship. In these cases, parents are responsible for paying the difference directly to the school.
Unique Abilities Scholarship
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) (formerly Gardiner and McKay Scholarships) enables families to personalize their student’s education by directing funds where they are needed most.
Eligibility
Students from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first, who have a specific diagnosis.
See page 8 of the FES-UA Family Handbook for a list of eligible diagnoses.
Usage of FES-UA Funds
The FES-UA Scholarship provides access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a flexible bank account from which a family directs funds to pay for specialized services. Funds can be used for a combination of programs and approved expenses including therapists, ABA, OT, PT, curriculum, private school, a college savings account and more.
Homeschooling Scholarship
Florida students who are not enrolled in public school or a Florida Home Education Program can access the Personalized Education Program (PEP) through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship.
Eligibility
K-12 Florida students, regardless of household income, who benefit from a parent-directed education. Scholarship eligibility ends when a student returns to public school, graduates high school or turns 21.
Usage of PEP Funds
PEP Scholarships provide an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a bank account to fund the educational needs of students. Funds can be used for a combination of programs and approved expenses including instructional material, curriculum, tuition for an eligible home education instruction program and digital materials exclusive of digital devices such as a laptop. Additional eligible fees include activity fees (i.e., choir and band), athletic and club fees, book and technology fees and more.
Public School Enrollment Rules
Students cannot be enrolled in a public school and receive PEP funds at the same time. This would count as “double funding” under state law. Students may still use public school services (such as individual classes or activities), but families must contract with the school for those services and pay either out of pocket or with scholarship funds.
Information on Step Up For Students is Available on Their Website
Why Mediation Works Well for School Decisions
In mediation, most parents begin in the same place: they want what is best for their child. They may differ, however, on what that looks like. When choosing between a Step Up For Students Scholarship and public school, parents often find themselves at odds. One parent imagines stability and familiarity. The other imagines opportunity and change. Neither is wrong, yet the gap between those visions can feel enormous.
Mediation can be one of the most valuable and effective ways to achieve cooperation. It allows both parties to speak freely and shifts the discussion from positions to concerns to understanding and ultimately agreement on a method for making school choices.
With more than twelve years of exclusive experience in family mediation following an 18-year litigation career, I have helped thousands of couples navigate complex divorces. My role is to provide an efficient, effective process so both parties can move forward amicably and, in the case of school choice, with a plan for future decisions.
Scholarship Application Deadlines
Applications for each Step Up For Students Scholarship for the 2026-27 school year opened on February 1, 2026. Families are strongly encouraged to apply immediately. Apply here.
First Time Applicants
November 15, 2026 – final date to submit the initial scholarship application.
December 15, 2026 – final date for families to accept or decline the scholarship.
NOTE: All spots for first time student applicants to the Personalized Education Program (PEP) homeschooling scholarship have been filled. New students may still apply, but there is no guarantee more scholarships will become available.
Renewing Applicants
April 30, 2026 – final date to submit the renewal application.
May 31, 2026 – final date for families to accept or decline the scholarship.
Renewing applicants who miss the April 30th deadline will be processed as new, non-priority applicants.
NOTE: Scholarships remain available for renewing PEP students who should submit the renewal application before April 30, 2026.
Deadline Exceptions
Excluded from the standard application deadlines and eligible to apply for a scholarship at any time during the school year:
- Dependents of active-duty U.S. Armed Forces members
- Students in foster care or out-of-home care
- Students facing bullying or harassment at public school (formerly called the Hope Scholarship)