Family Empowerment Scholarship

The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program was established during the 2019 Legislative Session to enhance Florida's menu of education options. It will provide children whose families have limited financial resources with the opportunity to attend the school that best meets their needs and enables them to reach their academic goals.

The FES provides eligible students a scholarship to attend a private school selected by the parent. A student is eligible for the FES if the student meets the following criteria:

  • The student's household income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level ($78,600 for a family of four) or the students on the direct certification list (list of children who qualify for the food assistance program, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program, or the Food Distribution on Indian Reservations program); or
  • The student is currently placed, or during the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care or in out-of-home care as defined in section 39.01, Florida Statutes;

and

  • The student is eligible to enroll in kindergarten or has spent the prior school year (2019-20) in attendance at a Florida public school. Prior attendance means the student was enrolled in and in attendance at a Florida public school during both the October and February student counts; and
  • Prior to scholarship funds being awarded, the student must be accepted and enrolled in a participating private school. For a list of eligible schools, please view the Department's Private School Directory. A private school that is currently eligible to participate in any of the scholarship programs is eligible to participate in the FES; however, parents should contact the school to inquire as to whether the private school will participate in the program.

Family Empowerment Scholarship - English

Family Empowerment Scholarship - Spanish