Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1 on Monday, March 27, expanding school choice options in Florida. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2023. The new legislation expands the eligibility of the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) programs to allow K-12 students who are Florida residents to gain access to a scholarship, regardless of household income. Additionally, these programs will be converted into education savings accounts, or “ESAs” to allow for more flexibility in how funds are used by families.

For more detailed information on the new legislation and how  your family can benefit from this legislation please click on the link.

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (Formerly Gardiner and McKay) administered through Step Up for Students     https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-schools-providers/how-the-gardiner-scholarship-works/

FTC and FES:  income based scholarships for qualifying families with students in grades K-12.  The scholarship currently covers a maximum of $7,560 for grades K-3 and $7,010 for grades 4-8 toward private school tuition.  Income eligibility guidelines are based on the size of your family, and other information can also be found at: www.stepupforstudents.org.

The AAA foundation is another tax credit scholarship administrator in addition to Step Up that provides scholarships for qualifying families with students in grades K-12.  The scholarship currently covers a maximum of $7,560 for grades K-3 and $7,010 for grades 4-8 toward private school tuition.  Income eligibility guidelines based on the size of your family, and are the same as Step Up for Students.  You can find additional information here: https://www.aaascholarships.org/parents/florida/

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten scholarships in the amount of $2,803 are available to all 4 year olds in the state of Florida.  Please find more information under: Florida Voluntary PreKindergarten Program | Early Learning Coalition (elcpinellas.net)

This scholarship is financial need based and available to active and participating members of their Catholic parish. Applications are available in the spring for the following school year. APPLICATION.pdf (marycforbesfoundation.org)

Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance Grant is a financial need based scholarship available to active and participating Catholic families.  The application period is open beginning in February for the following school year and applications can be made through FACTS Grant and Aid.  https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3v4vc  Please note:  If you receive any state scholarship, you are not eligible for CSTAG.

(PK3-8) Each year funds are set aside in the operating budget to help families experiencing temporary financial hardships keep their child(ren) in Catholic school. Applications are made through FACTS Grant and Aid beginning in February of each school year for the following school year.