Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options

In 2023, Florida policymakers took a giant leap in granting universal ESA access to all K–12 students. Additionally, they converted the Family Empowerment Scholarship voucher to an education savings account with broadly flexible use for parents. Florida is now the nationwide model for educational freedom and choice. Students are eligible for Family Empowerment Scholarship education savings accounts if they are a Florida resident and are eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12 in a public school. Priority is given to students whose household income does not exceed 185% of Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) ($57,720 for a family of four in 2024–2025) and children in foster care or out-of-home care. Secondary priority is given to students whose household income is above 185% of FPL and up to 400% of FPL. Parents fill out a universal application, which applies to both the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) program and the Family Empowerment Scholarship program (FES), but students are granted access under FTC until 75% of all estimated net eligible contributions are used, at which point students may be awarded Family Empowerment Scholarships. Previous recipients of the Hope Scholarship, which provided scholarships to victims of bullying and violence in public schools, are now eligible for this scholarship program due to its expanded eligibility. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

Qualifying expenses for education savings accounts include: private school tuition and fees; curriculum; physical and digital instructional materials; tuition and fees for college; private tutoring; virtual education with Florida Virtual School or another approved provider; fees for nationally norm-referenced testing, AP exams and industry certifications; unbundled courses and services at a public district school; and fees associated with a choice navigator. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

Florida’s Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) (ESA) is funded through the Florida Education Finance Plan. The per-pupil amount varies according to grade, county of residence and public school spending for students with disabilities, with the maximum equating to 100% of the unweighted full-time equivalent amount plus the per-pupil amount for certain state categorical programs. Payments are transferred quarterly from the state’s general revenue fund for parents to use for qualifying expenses. A separate appropriation also provides transportation grants that are worth up to $750 for students attending out-of-district public schools. Florida Empowerment Scholarships are funded through Florida’s Education Finance Plan, and any Florida student who wishes to participate may receive funding. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_

No legal challenges have been filed against this program. _(Last updated July 15, 2024)_