Florida has built one of the most extensive education scholarship ecosystems in the country, with over 130,000 students currently using scholarship funds for private school, homeschooling, tutoring, and other educational services. If your child is struggling with reading, writing, or spelling, Florida families may be able to use these funds to pay for expert one-on-one literacy tutoring — at little or no out-of-pocket cost.
Education Interventions is an approved Florida scholarship vendor. Here's everything you need to know.
Florida's Three Scholarship Programs Explained
Florida offers multiple scholarship options depending on your family's circumstances. All three allow tutoring as an approved expense.
FES-EO — Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
The primary scholarship program, open to Florida families based on income eligibility. Priority is given to families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (~$57,720 for a family of four), but the program is expanding toward universal eligibility. The average award is approximately $8,000 per year, varying by grade level and county. Tutoring is an approved expense. Managed by Step Up For Students.
FES-UA — Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities
Specifically for students with disabilities or diagnosed learning differences including dyslexia, autism, and other conditions. The average award is approximately $10,000 per year, with some students qualifying for significantly more based on need. Tutoring, therapy, and specialized educational services are all approved expenses. Applications for 2026–27 are now open through Step Up For Students.
PEP — Personalized Education Program
For Florida K–12 students who are not enrolled in full-time public or private school — primarily homeschool families. Provides an ESA for tutoring, curriculum, online learning, and other educational expenses. Open to all Florida residents regardless of income. Applications available through Step Up For Students.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Visit Step Up For Students
Go to stepupforstudents.org to create a parent account. Step Up For Students is the nonprofit organization that manages Florida's scholarship programs.
Verify Your Eligibility
Complete the eligibility verification for your chosen program. For FES-UA, you will need proof of your child's diagnosis from a physician or psychologist licensed in Florida. For FES-EO, income documentation is required.
Submit Your Application
Applications for most Florida scholarship programs are accepted year-round. Submit your application with all required documentation through Step Up For Students. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.
Access Your ESA Funds
Once approved, funds are deposited quarterly into your ESA account managed through Step Up For Students' EMA platform. You can browse approved vendors and authorize payments directly through the portal.
Select Education Interventions
Education Interventions is an approved Florida scholarship vendor. Contact us to get started and we'll walk you through the payment process. Your child can begin virtual sessions as soon as vendor payment is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child attends public school. Can I still use FES funds for tutoring?
Public school students can access ESA funds for services that their public school doesn't already provide. However, participation in the FES or PEP programs typically requires not being enrolled full-time in public school. Contact Step Up For Students to understand which options are available for your specific situation.
What counts as a "diagnosis" for the FES-UA program?
For the FES-UA program, eligible conditions include autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, and other qualifying conditions. The diagnosis must be from a physician or licensed psychologist in Florida. An IEP may also be accepted as documentation.
Can I use FES funds for virtual tutoring?
Yes. Online tutoring from approved vendors is a qualifying expense under Florida's scholarship programs. Education Interventions provides 100% virtual sessions, making expert support accessible from anywhere in Florida.
Are there annual testing requirements?
Yes — Florida scholarship programs require students to take nationally norm-referenced achievement tests annually (such as Stanford, Iowa Test, or Terra Nova). Renewal is contingent on submitting assessment results each year.
Ready to Use Your Florida Scholarship for Tutoring?
Education Interventions is an approved Florida scholarship vendor. Contact us today and we'll walk you through exactly how to use your FES funds for expert virtual literacy tutoring — reading, writing, and spelling for K–12.
Contact Us Today →Sources: Step Up For Students (stepupforstudents.org); Florida Department of Education — FES Program; EdChoice — Florida FES Profiles (2026); School Choice USA — Florida ESA Guide. Scholarship program details change annually — always verify current information at stepupforstudents.org.