Family Empowerment Scholarships
On March 27, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill (HB) 1, which expands available school choice options for all students in Florida. As of the 2023-24 school year, the bill eliminates financial eligibility restrictions and the current enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Education Options. HB 1 also increases the annual scholarship cap growth for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities from one percent to three percent annually to address high demand and wait lists.
With these expansions along with other school choice options, Florida is empowering every family and every child to achieve their educational goals.
Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) for Educational Options (EO)
This branch of the scholarship eligibility provides additional educational options for all K-12 students, such as attending a participating private school. Families apply and annually renew through one of the approved scholarship funding organizations (SFO), which are responsible for determining and distributing funding. FES EO also offers families of eligible students the option to receive a scholarship to provide transportation to a public school different from the school to which the student was assigned.
Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) for Students with Unique Abilities (UA)
This branch of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is designed to offer families of students with disabilities, as young as 3 years of age, access to additional education options.
St. Johns County School District FES-UA Information Page
How do I apply?
Step Up for Students
P.O. Box 54367, Jacksonville, FL 32245-4367
877-735-7837
[email protected]
Contacts:
Kim Bays
Director, Guidance and Choice Department
[email protected]
(904) 547-7752
Keyjah Camps
Executive Secretary, Guidance and Choice Department
[email protected]
(904) 547-7754
