Is your family applying for the new school voucher program in Florida? Tell us about it
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1 in March, making it possible for all school-aged children in Florida to receive voucher funds that families can use toward private school tuition, homeschooling and other educational needs.
The new law, which took effect July 1, essentially allows the family of any K-12 student — regardless of family income — to apply for a taxpayer-funded education voucher of up to $8,000 annually.
The bill allows families to use the state money allotted for their child and re-direct it to another form of education outside of public schools, including private or religious schools. The bill also expands the existing Florida Tax Credit scholarship to include coverage of things like instructional materials, eligible home school programs and post-secondary programs, fees for standardized tests including Advanced Placement exams and tutoring programs.
To apply, families must go through an organization called Step Up for Students, which handles the applications and scholarship funds. This is also where families can renew their existing scholarships and apply for public school transportation scholarships.
READ MORE: What to know about Florida’s new private school voucher program that has no income limits
If your family is applying for a scholarship to help your child attend a private school in Broward or Miami-Dade County, please fill out the survey below. Help our reporters learn how this new school-choice initiative will impact Florida students’ education.
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This report was created with philanthropic support from Christian, Muslim and Jewish funders in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald retains editorial control of all work.
This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 12:46 PM.
