Florida combined its two largest programs — the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) — into a single application that Step Up For Students administers. Since 2023 the program has been universal: there is no income limit, though families at or below 300% of the federal poverty level receive priority if applications exceed funding.
Awards are set by county and grade band. For Miami-Dade in 2026-27 the amounts are $8,745 for grades K-3, $8,140 for grades 4-8 and $7,942 for grades 9-12. Funds are paid quarterly to the school through the EMA platform; the parent approves each payment.
Timing matters. New families can apply for the 2026-27 year through November 15, 2026 and must accept the award in EMA by December 15. The 2027-28 application season opens February 1, 2027. Funding is not guaranteed until the school's enrollment is submitted and approved in EMA by the quarterly deadline.
Of the 687 private schools registered in Miami-Dade with the Florida Department of Education, 486 are listed as participating in this scholarship. Every school page on this site shows whether the school participates.
How to stack it
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO) can usually be combined with school-based tuition assistance and at least one other source on this site. Complete the funding check and an advisor will map the full stack for your child.