Florida
Opted in on January 28, 2026
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Ron DeSantis
Governor , R
“Florida families have access to the nation's top ranked and largest school choice program. About 1.4 million students are enrolled in school choice options in Florida.”
Governor Ron DeSantis, January 28, 2026 (Governor's Office press release)
FSTC Status in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida's opt-in on January 28, 2026, during a National School Choice Week event.
Great news!
Florida has opted in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC).
Gubernatorial announcement during National School Choice Week event at Grace Christian School in Valrico, FL.
Step Up for Students announced creation of the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund to administer the federal program.
FSTC Readiness Checklist for Florida Schools
Florida has opted in to the FSTC. Use this 7-step checklist to prepare your school for participation.
Confirm Eligibility
Verify your school is an eligible K-12 institution (private, religious, or homeschool cooperative) under FSTC program rules.
Identify SGOs
Research which Scholarship Granting Organizations operate in Florida. Contact them to understand application processes and timelines.
Estimate Family Eligibility
Use the FSTC Income Eligibility Calculator to estimate how many of your families fall within the 300% median income threshold.
Open CalculatorPrepare Documentation
Gather documentation of qualifying educational expenses: tuition, fees, tutoring, curriculum materials, and educational therapy costs.
Designate a Coordinator
Assign an FSTC coordinator to manage scholarship applications, SGO partnerships, and family communications.
Develop Communication Plan
Create materials to inform families about FSTC eligibility, the application process, and covered expenses. Plan for information sessions and one-on-one support.
Build SGO Relationships
Establish relationships with at least one SGO before the application window opens. Understand their requirements, reporting expectations, and disbursement timelines.
Recent News
Keith Jacobs, Director of Provider Development at Step Up For Students (Florida's largest scholarship granting organization), participated in a Federal Scholarship Tax Credit roundtable at the U.S. Department of the Treasury on June 9, 2026. The roundtable gathered scholarship granting organizations, state representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss implementation of the new federal Section 25F credit ahead of its January 2027 launch.
· Step Up, Step Further (Step Up For Students)
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