Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Guide 2026–2027

Eligibility

All K–12 students residing in Florida. Florida operates three distinct scholarship pathways: FTC (tax-credit, income-priority), FES-EO (equal opportunity, income-priority), and FES-UA (unique abilities, for students with disabilities — higher award).

What the money can be used for

• Tuition
• Tutoring
• Curriculum
• Therapies
• Transportation

Generally not allowed

• Food
• Vehicles
• Recreational athletics
• Items already covered by enrollment in a public school
• Compensation to a parent or immediate family member

See our full eligible-expenses guide for the gray areas (technology caps, transportation, religious instruction, family-member compensation).

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility. All K–12 students residing in Florida. Florida operates three distinct scholarship pathways: FTC (tax-credit, income-priority), FES-EO (equal opportunity, income-priority), and FES-UA (unique abilities, for students with disabilities — higher award).
2. Gather documents. Use the current official checklist from Step Up For Students / AAA Scholarship Foundation for the exact proof of residency, guardianship, enrollment, income, or other documentation that applies to your eligibility category.
3. Open the application. Step Up For Students / AAA Scholarship Foundation runs the program; applications typically open spring.
4. Follow the official calendar. Deadlines, priority rules, and funding availability vary by program and year — confirm the current calendar with the administrator before relying on it.

Editorial notes

Florida’s program was enacted in 2019 (universal 2023). Award amounts and eligibility thresholds are reviewed each legislative session; we re-verify each state page on a rolling cadence and date-stamp the last review. See our methodology page for details. The final word on eligibility, deadlines, and approved providers is always the state administrator — verify with the Step Up For Students / AAA Scholarship Foundation before spending.