Florida Homeschool Grants & Scholarships 2024

Florida offers several funding options for homeschool families in 2024. Here's what you need to know:

Key Programs & Amounts:

Program	Amount	Who It's For
Personalized Education (PEP)	$7,000-$9,000	All K-12 homeschoolers
Family Empowerment (FES)	$7,700 avg	Any K-12 student
Special Needs (FES-UA)	$10,400 avg	Students with disabilities
Hope Scholarship	$7,000 avg	Students facing bullying
New Worlds Reading	$1,200	K-5 reading help

Big Changes for 2024:

• No more income limits - ANY family can get funding
• 60,000 spots in PEP program
• Education Savings Accounts now cover homeschool costs
• Simple application through Step Up For Students

How to Apply:

1. Pick your program
2. Gather documents (residency proof, ID, school records)
3. Apply through Step Up For Students
4. Submit by October 25 for full funding

What You Can Buy:

Allowed	Not Allowed
Curriculum	Entertainment
Tutoring	Transportation
Educational software	Food/meals
Testing fees	Regular clothing
Learning materials	Household items

Think of this as your debit card for education - you get $7,000-$9,000 to spend on approved learning expenses. Just keep your receipts and track everything in the online portal.

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Family Empowerment Scholarships

Florida offers two types of Family Empowerment Scholarships: Educational Options (FES-EO) and Special Needs Options (FES-UA). Here's what you need to know.

Educational Options (FES-EO)

The FES-EO program is Florida's biggest school choice initiative, serving 136,087 students in 2023-24. Here's what it offers:

Option	Amount	Coverage
Private School	$7,846 average	School tuition + fees
Transportation	$750	Public school transfer costs
Homeschool	$7,612 base	Education costs + materials

For 2024, the program gets simpler:

• Open to all income levels
• No student caps
• No public school history needed
• Students accepted in order of application

Special Needs Options (FES-UA)

FES-UA helps students with special needs (age 3+). The numbers show its impact:

• 69,513 students helped in 2022-23
• Over $500 million in funding
• About $10,000 per student

What You Can Buy	Examples
Private School	Full costs
Homeschool	Books + supplies
Extra Help	Tutors + therapy
Digital Learning	Online classes
College Prep	Dual enrollment

What to Know:

• Leave public school first
• Renew each year
• Can't mix with full-time school
• Must track progress + take tests

Parents get education savings accounts (ESAs) to control their kids' education money. Want to apply? Go through Step Up For Students or other approved groups.

Florida Tax Credit Scholarships

The Florida Tax Credit (FTC) program connects businesses and K-12 education in a smart way: Companies can direct their tax money to help kids learn. Step Up For Students handles the money and gets it to families who need it.

Here's what you get in 2024:

Feature	Details
Average Amount	$7,800 per student
Uses	Private school tuition, homeschooling materials, tutoring
Transportation	$750 minimum for public school transfers
Application Period	Open year-round
Fund Distribution	Direct payment to schools

The program's open to ALL K-12 students, but here's who gets help first:

Income Level	Priority Status	Federal Poverty Level
First Priority	Lower-income families	Up to 185%
Second Priority	Middle-income families	185% to 400%
Third Priority	All other applicants	Above 400%

Let's look at who's using the program RIGHT NOW:

• 127,689 students enrolled
• $48,465 average family income
• 47% come from single-parent homes
• 63% are Black or Hispanic students

And check this out: Kids who stick with the program for 4+ years do BETTER:

• 99% more likely to go to college
• 45% more likely to finish their degree

What Parents Need to Know:

• Sign up for private schools first, then apply for the scholarship
• You'll pay any costs over $8,000
• Extra money can go to other school stuff
• No deadline, but don't wait too long

The numbers speak for themselves: Since May 2023, Step Up For Students has gotten 177,000 applications. That's a LOT of families wanting better education options.

Education Savings Accounts

Florida gives families $8,000 per student (2023-24) through their ESA program. Here's what you should know:

Who Can Apply

Eligibility Requirements	Details
Age	5+ years old by September 1st
Grade Level	K-12
Residency	Florida resident
School Status	Not enrolled in public/private school full-time
Program Limits	60,000 students (2024-25)
Annual Growth	+40,000 spots each year

Using Your ESA Funds

You'll get access to an online account through the Education Marketplace Assistant (EMA). Here's what the funds cover:

Yes - Buy These	No - Don't Buy These
Curriculum materials	Entertainment items
Tutoring services	General household items
Standardized tests	Non-educational software
Educational software	Regular clothing
AP/certification exams	Food/meals
Part-time classes	Transportation costs

How It Works:

Your unused money rolls over each year (up to $24,000). But you'll need to:

• Submit yearly test scores
• Create a learning plan
• Get approval from Step Up For Students for major purchases

Smart Money Management:

• Save your receipts
• Log everything in the EMA portal
• Get pre-approval for purchases
• Budget for bigger expenses

Want to get started? Here's the process:

1. Leave your district's home education program

2. Create your EMA account

3. Submit your paperwork

4. Wait for Step Up For Students to approve

Time-Sensitive: The 2024-25 application window closes December 6, 2024. With 40,000 new spots opening yearly, applying early gives you the best shot at getting in.

Step Up For Students

Step Up For Students runs Florida's main scholarship programs. They help 350,000+ students get better education options. Here's what matters:

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Amount	What It Covers
FTC & FES-EO	$7,800	Private school or homeschool costs
FES-UA	$10,000	Special needs education
Hope	$7,800	School choice (bullying cases)
New Worlds	$500	Reading and tutoring
PEP	$7,500+	Homeschool expenses

The PEP program helps 20,000 students now. They add 40,000 spots each year.

"Homeschooling isn't just another option - it's as valid as private school, public school, or charter school. It's a REAL choice for families." - Maria Shindorf, Homeschooling Parent

Priority Groups

Here's who gets funding first:

Group	Who Qualifies
Income	Up to $111,000 (family of 4)
Special Needs	Students with specific diagnoses
Military/Police	Kids of service members
Siblings	Brothers/sisters already in program
Past Recipients	Students renewing scholarships

How to Apply:

• Set up an EMA account
• Enter student info
• Select your program
• Upload documents
• Get approved (takes up to 60 days)

"I know education will open doors for my son's future. That's why this matters so much." - Tekleseld, Yonas's Mother

What These Funds Cover:

• School materials
• Basic supplies
• Learning tools
• Books
• Educational apps
• Tutoring

Here's what makes Step Up stand out: 98.9% of their money goes straight to scholarships - that's more than almost any other Florida scholarship group.

Hope Scholarship

Florida's Hope Scholarship helps K-12 students switch schools if they face bullying or violence. The program supports 538 students in the 2023-24 school year.

Here's what you get: $7,815 per student to cover:

What's Covered	Details
School Costs	Private school tuition
Getting to School	Bus passes or transport fees
Basic Needs	Books and school supplies
Learning Tools	Educational materials

You can apply if your child faces these problems at public school:

What Counts
Bullying
Getting attacked
Sexual harassment
Battery
Harassment
Threats
Fighting
Robbery

How to Get Started

1. Tell the School

Report the incident to your principal. That's it - no proof needed. The school MUST give you Hope Scholarship info within 15 days.

2. Pick Your Path

Your Options	What It Means
Switch Public Schools	Move to any school with open spots
Go Private	Get up to $7,815 for tuition
Travel Help	Money to get to a new school

3. Apply Now

• Create a Step Up For Students account
• Complete the Hope form
• Select your new school
• Get an answer in 60 days or less

Quick Facts:

• For Florida residents only
• Can't mix with other FL scholarships
• First come = first served
• 84% of FL students qualify

Money Source: Florida car buyers can donate up to $105 per vehicle (max: state sales tax amount) to fund these scholarships.

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New Worlds Reading Scholarship

Here's what you need to know about this $1,200 scholarship program that helps Florida students boost their reading skills.

What You Get

Benefit	Details
Scholarship Amount	$1,200 per student (2024-2025)
Free Books	Up to 63 books through 5th grade
Language Options	Books available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole
Support Materials	Reading activities and resources included

The money goes toward:

• Tutoring (part-time)
• Summer reading programs
• After-school reading help
• Reading and math materials
• Special help for dyslexia/dyscalculia

How to Get Started

You can apply if your child:

• Is in VPK and needs help with FAST Star Early Literacy
• Reads below grade level (K-5 public/charter schools)
• Has dyslexia or dyscalculia
• Scores below Level 3 on state ELA tests

Here's how it works:

1. Send Your Application

Just fill out the Step Up For Students form with:

• Your child's school info
• What language you want books in
• Which book sets you prefer

2. Wait for Approval

There's $29 million set aside for 2024. They'll pick:

• English Language Learners first
• Kids who need reading help
• VPK-5 students struggling with math

3. Spend Your Money

Yes - Buy These	No - Don't Buy These
Tutoring	Regular school costs
Summer programs	Getting to/from school
Learning stuff	Food or snacks
After-school help	Basic school supplies

Remember These Dates:

• Start applying: July 1, 2024
• First to apply = first to get help
• Use it all before school year ends

"90% of New Worlds Reading families surveyed last year would recommend the program to a friend." - New Worlds Reading Initiative

Private School Options

Part-time School Programs

Here's how Florida lets you mix homeschooling with private schools:

School Name	Location	Program Details
SALT Academy	Boca Raton	- Home education + private school mix - Takes scholarship funds - Set class times
CHEC Academy	Boynton Beach	- 2-day program - Offers Science, History, Theatre - Works like a part-time school
North Park Learning Group	Tampa	- For kids 7-14 - Monday classes: $2,400 - Early drop-off: $1,500/year
The Lit Advocate	Orlando	- K-8 mixed program - 2 days at school + 2 at home - Online Fridays

You can pick from:

• Full days
• Half days
• Afternoon classes
• Mix of online and in-person

College Classes for High School

Want college credit during high school? Florida's dual enrollment program makes it happen.

Here's what you need:

• Sign up with your District Home School Office
• Finish 10 main high school credits
• Pass the PERT/Accuplacer test
• Have CLT, SAT, or ACT scores (from last 2 years)

How Many Credits You Can Take:

Grade Level	Maximum Credits
6th - 9th	3-4 online credits each semester
10th - 12th	More credits (depends on grade)

How to Get Started:

1. Sign up as a homeschooler
2. Take the tests
3. Turn in your agreement forms
4. Apply to the college
5. Get parent and district signatures

The best part? It's FREE. You get:

• No tuition costs
• Free books (most times)
• Credits for high school AND college
• Just update your agreement each year

How to Apply

Here's what you need to know about the application process:

Application Window	What to Submit	Key Points
July - October	- FL residency proof - Income docs - ID/birth certificate - School docs	Submit by Oct 25 for full award
November - January	Same docs needed	You might get partial funds
February - June	Same docs needed	Few spots left

Two Organizations Can Help You:

Step Up For Students

• Call: 877-735-7837
• Email: info@stepupforstudents.org
• Mail: P.O. Box 54367, Jacksonville, FL 32245-4367

A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation

• Call: 888-707-2465
• Email: info@aaascholarships.org
• Mail: P.O. Box 15719, Tampa, FL 33684

Watch Out For These Issues:

Problem	Solution
No income proof	Send recent pay stubs or tax forms
Bad residency docs	Get new utility bill or lease
Missing deadlines	Start July 1st
Half-done forms	Fill everything out
Wrong program pick	Check if you make under $55,500 (family of 4)

Do These 5 Things:

1. Fill out one application (it works for FTC and FES)
2. Send all papers together
3. Make copies
4. Keep receipts (after July 1st, 2023)
5. Watch your email

Money Goes First To:

• Families below 185% of poverty level
• Then to families up to 400% of poverty level
• Foster kids get extra priority

Managing Your Funds

Here's how to handle your scholarship money (and get paid back fast):

Track Everything

You need to document EVERY purchase. Here's what matters:

Item	What to Include	Remember
Purchases	When you bought it, cost, who you bought from	Keep those paper receipts
Bills	The invoice #, what you got	No screenshots - originals only
Learning Materials	What subject, grade	Show how it helps learning
How You Paid	EMA or Scholar Shop	Save those confirmation emails

Big Changes for 2024:

Starting January 8, 2024:

• ALL money comes through your EMA account
• Focus Cards are going away
• Set up your EMA payment info NOW

Getting Paid Back

Here's the money-back process:

Do This	Like This	Must Have
Get into EMA	Log in	Working email + password
Pick payment type	Bank or check	Pick what works for you
Send your stuff	Upload the full bill	Every detail matters
Hold tight	Takes 2-3 weeks	Watch your email

Money Facts You Need:

• You can roll over up to $24,000 per student each year
• This money isn't taxed
• Live classes? Sorry, no can do
• Big purchase? Ask Step Up first

Pro Tips:

• Scan those receipts
• Send in costs within 30 days
• EMA help: (877) 735-7837
• Shop direct on Scholar Shop
• Know your county's amount

Still have Focus Card money? Call U.S. Bank: (888) 863-0681. They'll send you a check.

Where to Get Help

Looking for homeschool help in Florida? Here's what you need to know:

Local Support Groups

Here's a breakdown of Florida's main homeschool groups:

Type of Group	What They Offer	Examples
Secular Groups	Field trips, classes, events	South Florida Homeschool Resource Center, PATH Miami-Dade
Faith-Based	Co-ops, community support	FISH Homeschool Brandon, Soaring Preparatory Academy
Special Needs	Disability support, resources	Columbia County Disability Inclusive Support
Academic	Classes, tutoring, testing	Bailiwicks Enrichment Campus, Bloom Homeschool Support

Want free stuff? Your local area has tons of resources:

• Public libraries (books, videos, audiobooks)
• Museums and nature centers (classes and programs)
• Online tools like CPalms.org and Khan Academy
• Local meetups and events

Expert Help

Need more structured support? These organizations have your back:

Organization	Services	Contact Info
Step Up For Students	Scholarship help, fund management	(877) 735-7837
FPEA	Conferences, legal guidance	Annual conference in Orlando
Florida HSA	Secular support, yearly conference	May conference
FLHEF	Legal rights protection	Contact through website

Money Help Options:

1. Step Up For Students

They manage 5 scholarships and put 98.9% of funds directly into student programs. Check out StepUpForStudents.org/211

2. South Florida Homeschool Resource Center

They process FES-UA and PEP programs fast - usually within 7 days. Reach them at info@sflhrc.com

Quick Start Guide:

• Jump into your county's Facebook groups
• Browse Homeschool Directory's latest resources
• Ask about homeschool programs at your library
• Find nearby co-ops for group learning

"Education is the key to getting anything that he wants. I realized that it can open many doors for him in the future." - Tekleseld, Yonas's Mother (Step Up For Students recipient)

Pro tip: Most groups let you try before you join. Stop by a meeting to see if it's a good match for your family.

Common Questions

Questions About Qualifying

Here's what you need to know about Florida homeschool funding:

Question	Answer
Income Requirements	PEP scholarship has no income limits
New Florida Residents	Must show previous education records
Special Needs Students	Can get FES-UA, about $10,000 (2023-24)
Grade Level Rules	Grades 11-12 must register with district for Bright Futures
Assessment Rules	PEP students need yearly testing

You'll need these basic documents:

• A letter telling your district you're homeschooling
• A folder of your teaching activities
• Examples of your student's work
• Shot records (if joining school activities)

Using Multiple Programs

Want to get the most funding? Here's what works together:

Program Mix	What You Should Know
PEP + HSLDA Grants	OK to get both types of grants
FES-UA + Tax Credit	Can't use these together
Bright Futures + PEP	Works if your student qualifies
ESA + Local Support	These work together

Here's what's happening with PEP:

• Taking 20,000 students in 2023-24
• Adding 40,000 spots each year
• Most families get about $7,800
• Keep receipts from July 1, 2023

"Money takes time - it's just how government works. You need patience." - Denise Mestanza-Taylor, Home-schooling Parent

Tips for handling your funds:

• Track EVERY purchase
• Look up what you can buy first
• Don't spend until you get approved (August notice)
• Send in receipts right away

Wrap-Up

Here's what you need to know about Florida's education programs for 2024:

Program	2024 Spots	Money Available
PEP Program	60,000	$6,900-$9,500
FES-UA	No limits	$10,000
FTC Scholarship	Family of 4 under $111,000	$6,815
Hope Scholarship	Bullying cases	$7,700
Transportation	K-8 public school	$750 per home

The big changes? Florida opened up FES and FTC to ALL kids. They're adding 40,000 PEP spots each year, clearing special needs waitlists, and now help 350,000 students with ESAs.

Want to apply? Here's what to do:

1. Pick Your Program

Go to Step Up For Students and see what fits your family.

2. Get Your Documents

Grab your shot records and teaching plans BEFORE you start the application.

3. Track Your Spending

Keep EVERY receipt from July 1, 2023. You'll need them.

4. Apply

Head to Step Up For Students and submit everything.

5. Wait for News

You'll hear back about funding in August 2024.

Money stuff you NEED to know:

• Want your money back? Submit paid tuition within 6 weeks
• Write "Home Education Tuition/Fee" on receipts
• Be specific about online courses
• Get clear statements from schools

Here's what one parent said:

"Thank you for a grant this year. It came at a time when we couldn't have continued homeschooling without it. My 8-year-old daughter struggled to read. Now, two years later, because of homeschooling she is a wonderful reader and her fears are gone."

Quick Facts:

• Florida has 114,000 homeschooled kids
• HSLDA helps pay for core subjects
• Step Up For Students runs all 4 main programs
• Money goes where the student goes

FAQs

Is there a tax credit for homeschooling in Florida?

Florida doesn't give direct tax credits for homeschooling. But here's something better: You can get money through the Personalized Education Program (PEP).

Program Detail	Description
Type	Educational Savings Account
Source	Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Funding	Corporate tax contributions
2024 Amount	$6,900-$9,500 per student
Management	Step Up For Students

Who is eligible for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship?

The program now includes ALL K-12 students in Florida. Here's what you need to know:

Priority Group	Requirements
First Priority	Family income at/below 185% of Federal Poverty Level
Second Priority	Foster care/out-of-home care students
Age Requirements	K: 5 years by Sept 1
	1st grade: 6 years by Sept 1
Current Stats	125,657 students (2023-24)
Average Award	$7,800 per student

To qualify in 2024, you must:

• Live in Florida
• Be in K-12
• That's it! No academic requirements
• Plus, you can use other programs at the same time

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