By Teach Florida
For many families in South Florida, one of the most important decisions is where to send their children to school. Thankfully, Florida is the national leader in school choice, providing parents with state-funded scholarships so that every child can attend the school that best meets their needs.
At Teach Florida, our mission is to ensure that Jewish education is affordable, safe, and high-quality for all families. We advocate in Tallahassee for strong scholarship programs and guide parents through the process of accessing them. Today, two key scholarships are helping thousands of Jewish families afford access to Jewish day school education:
Private School Scholarship (FTC and FES-EO)
Private School Scholarship provides: Approximately $8,000 per child to cover private school tuition and fees. Remaining funds can also be used for tutoring, curriculum, and educational materials.
Who qualifies: Students entering K–12 at an eligible Florida private school.
How long does it last: Until high school graduation or age 22, as long as the student remains enrolled.
How to apply: Visit stepupforstudents.org and select “Apply/Login” to access the EMA portal.
Annual requirement: Families must reestablish Florida residency each year (utility bill, lease, etc.).
📲 Scan below to view the exact award amounts for your county:
Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
Unique Abilities Scholarship provides: Designed for children with disabilities, this scholarship averages $10,000 per child, with higher amounts available for more severe needs.
Who qualifies: Children ages 3–22 with an eligible disability, enrolled in a private school or homeschool.
How funds may be used: Tuition, therapies, tutoring, educational supplies, or even a college savings account.
Special note: Children can receive VPK or School Readiness funding alongside FES-UA.
How to apply: Visit stepupforstudents.org. Homeschool families must also register with their district Home Education Office.
📲 Scan below to view the exact award amounts for your county:
· Eligible Disability Categories include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder • Cerebral Palsy • Down Syndrome • Intellectual Disability • Speech or Language Impairment • Orthopedic Impairment • Other Health Impairment (ADHD, asthma, diabetes, etc.) • Emotional or Behavioral Disability • Specific Learning Disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, developmental aphasia, etc.) • Phelan-McDermid Syndrome • Prader-Willi Syndrome • Spina Bifida • High-Risk Child (developmental delay) • Muscular Dystrophy • Williams Syndrome • Rare Diseases (NORD List) • Anaphylaxis • Hearing Impairment, including deafness • Visual Impairment, including blindness • Traumatic Brain Injury • Hospital or Homebound • Dual Sensory Impairment
Common Questions:
Can my child receive both scholarships? No, each child can only receive one state scholarship at a time.
Do I reapply each year? Yes, residency must be renewed annually, though most disability categories do not require requalification.
Who can provide a diagnosis? A doctor, psychologist, or autonomous APRN.
State Scholarships Make Jewish Education Possible
For Jewish families across South Florida, these scholarships help make Jewish day school education a reality strengthening our children’s Jewish identity while providing an excellent academic foundation.
Teach Florida is proud to advocate for these programs in Tallahassee and to work toward even greater funding, ensuring that every Jewish child has access to an affordable, safe, and high-quality Jewish education.
Teach Florida also advocates for the Jewish Day School Security grant, which provides $20 Million in State funding for security and transportation.
For guidance or questions, email us at Scholarships@teachcoalition.org.
