Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Florida: What It Is and Key Dates

TLDR

• Step Up, Step Further is a new scholarship fund from Step Up For Students. Donors fund it and receive a federal tax credit, and it is scheduled to start in 2027.1
• Florida students who are eligible for public K-12 school may qualify if their household income is at or below 300% of their county's area median income.12
• Step Up says families can use it in addition to state scholarships such as PEP and FES-UA.1
• Applications are not open yet. Step Up has not published application dates, and the U.S. Treasury is still finalizing what counts as a qualified expense.23
• The federal tax credit for donors begins January 1, 2027.34

Florida families keep asking what this new scholarship is and whether it changes anything for them right now. This page pulls together what Step Up has published so far, what is still unknown, and the dates to watch. We will update it as new details are announced.

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What Step Up, Step Further Is

Step Up, Step Further is a separate nonprofit scholarship fund that Step Up For Students is setting up to take part in a new federal program called the Education Freedom Tax Credit. Taxpayers who donate to an approved scholarship granting organization can claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per year. Those donations become a pool of scholarship money for K-12 students.1

The money comes from donors, not directly from the federal government. Step Up says at least 90% of donations go to scholarships, with no more than 10% used for administration.4 Florida chose to take part in the program in January 2026, which is why Step Up is able to offer it here.4

Some families still call Florida's scholarship accounts ESAs, and Step Up says this new scholarship can be used alongside them.1

Who May Qualify

Here is what Step Up has said so far:

• The student must be eligible to enroll in a public or private K-12 school in Florida.1
• Household income must be at or below 300% of the area median income (AMI) for the family's county.12
• Step Up describes both public school and private school students as eligible.1 A July 2026 announcement with the Florida Chamber of Commerce focused on low-income public school students, so check back as the full rules are published.5

Step Up offers a free tool where you pick your Florida county and see whether your household might qualify: Step Up, Step Further AMI lookup tool. You can also see our estimated income limit for every Florida county in one table.

What It May Pay For

Step Up lists these uses so far: tuition, tutoring services, special education services, books, technology, and educational supplies.1 Other Step Up pages also mention transportation.2 Step Up says the exact list of eligible expenses is pending final program rules from the U.S. Treasury, so do not assume any specific purchase qualifies yet.2

If you are thinking ahead about tutoring, therapy, special needs services, or curriculum, you can browse providers now:

• Tutoring providers
• Therapy providers
• Special needs resources
• Curriculum providers

A listing on our directory does not mean a provider is approved for this new scholarship. Step Up has not yet published how providers will be approved.

How It Works With PEP and FES-UA

Step Up says this scholarship can be used in addition to state Step Up scholarships.1 That means families who already receive PEP or FES-UA are not being asked to choose between them. How the two will be managed together, including whether there will be a separate account or application, has not been published.

For a closer look at how this fits with the state scholarships' one-program-at-a-time rule, read Can You Use Step Up, Step Further With PEP or FES-UA? To see how the current programs compare, read our PEP vs FES-UA vs FES-EO comparison and how Florida scholarship award amounts are determined.

Key Dates

As of September 26, 2026:

• January 2026: Florida opts in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit program.4
• June 10, 2026: The U.S. Treasury says it expects to issue proposed regulations by the end of September 2026, and that states, scholarship organizations, and taxpayers should be able to rely on them for tax year 2027.3
• January 1, 2027: The federal tax credit begins for donations made on or after this date.4
• 2027: Step Up says scholarships are expected to start being granted. It has not announced application dates.4

How to Stay Updated

• Join the interest list on Step Up, Step Further to be notified when details are released.
• Follow Step Up, Step Further on Facebook and Instagram.
• Bookmark this page. We update it when Step Up publishes something new.
• Already on a Step Up scholarship? Keep an eye on your EMA account and Step Up's official site at stepupforstudents.org for your current program dates.

Information for Providers and Vendors

Step Up has not published a process for tutors, therapists, or other providers to accept this scholarship. Step Up does offer a partner program for schools and districts, described on its partner page. If you run a Florida education business, our guide for vendors explains how to get listed so families can find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Step Up, Step Further scholarship?

It is a new scholarship fund from Step Up For Students, funded by donors who receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700. It is scheduled to start in 2027 and is intended for Florida K-12 students.1

Who qualifies for Step Up, Step Further?

Students who are eligible to enroll in a Florida public or private K-12 school, in households at or below 300% of their county's area median income. Step Up has not yet published the full eligibility rules.12

When does Step Up, Step Further start?

The federal tax credit for donors begins January 1, 2027, and Step Up says scholarships are expected to start being granted in 2027. Application dates have not been announced.4

What can the scholarship pay for?

Step Up lists tuition, tutoring, special education services, books, technology, and educational supplies. The final list of qualified expenses depends on U.S. Treasury rules that are still being finalized.12

Can I use it with PEP or FES-UA?

Yes, according to Step Up. It says the scholarship can be used in addition to state Step Up scholarships.1

Where do I apply?

Applications are not open yet. Join the interest list on the Step Up, Step Further website to be notified when they open.2

References

1. Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, For Parents. Available at stepupstepfurther.org/for-parents
2. Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, 5 Things Parents and Guardians Need to Know About the Education Freedom Tax Credit Scholarship, May 26, 2026. Available at stepupstepfurther.org
3. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Treasury Statement on Section 25F Regulations, June 10, 2026. Available at home.treasury.gov
4. Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, Home page and FAQs. Available at stepupstepfurther.org
5. Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, Florida Chamber and Step Further Form a Strategic Partnership, July 8, 2026. Available at stepupstepfurther.org

Florida Education Vendors is an independent directory and is not affiliated with Step Up For Students or the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund. This guide is for informational purposes only. Program details are still being finalized and change often. Always verify current information at stepupstepfurther.org and stepupforstudents.org before making any decision.

Cover photo by sofatutor on Unsplash.