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If your child is currently being homeschooled in Florida, or if you’re exploring the idea of homeschooling your child, you may be wondering, “Does Florida provide financial support for homeschooling families?”
When you, as a parent, take on the role of teacher, you also become responsible for the direct costs of your child’s education. Curriculum, books, tutoring, and classes for advanced subjects can quickly add up, especially as your child grows.
For many families, the investment is more than worthwhile, as homeschooling allows you to actively shape your child’s learning experience—from what they learn to how they learn it—in the comfort and safety of your home. Even so, it wouldn’t hurt to have a little help sometimes. Families in Florida can find that help through the Step Up for Students program.
What State Funding is Available for Homeschooling in Florida?
For more than twenty years, the Step Up for Students program has been, in their own words, “funding futures” for Florida’s children and youth. This robust program is designed to help families in the state with a wide variety of education and education-related needs.
Step Up for Children offers funds for everything from private school tuition and tutoring to extra support for kids with unique abilities. There are even transportation stipends to help when a child’s best educational option isn’t the closest one. For homeschooling families in particular, Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarships can be a valuable resource.
The PEP is an educational savings account program administered through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. PEP is only available to K-12 students who are not actively enrolled in a public or private Florida school.
The average PEP scholarship ranges from $7,000 to $10,000 per school year. The funds can be used for books, curriculum, and more to help your at-home student achieve their academic goals.
How to Apply for Florida Homeschool Grants and Scholarships
In order to apply for a PEP scholarship for your child, they must:
- Be a resident of Florida;
- Be eligible for enrollment in a Florida public school for grades kindergarten through 12th grade.
There are no income restrictions for PEP, but the state does prioritize lower-income families and students in foster care or otherwise living outside the family home.
If you meet the requirements above, you can apply for Florida PEP on the program website. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and a maximum of 20,000 scholarships will be awarded as of 2024.
When you are approved and accept PEP funds for your child, you agree to specific program requirements. You will need to submit a student learning plan for your child each school year, and they must participate in testing and evaluation as required by the state. You do not have to register with your school district, as your child’s homeschooling status is recorded through your participation in the program.
Florida also offers a more traditional approach to homeschooling, called Home Education. Many families like this option because of its flexibility and freedom—a learning plan is not required. Home Education students do not qualify for PEP funding, however, and must register with their district through a letter of intent.
Download a free guide to homeschooling in Florida using state funding on our Florida homeschool laws page.
The Benefits of Homeschooling in Florida
As more parents like you become concerned over the quality and safety of public education in Florida, homeschooling programs are growing in popularity. Florida’s variety of homeschooling options and funding sources make it a great place to educate your child at home.
Whether you homeschool with PEP or register with your district for Home Education, homeschooling allows you to create a personalized educational experience for your child, from the subjects they study to the things they encounter throughout the day. Studies have shown that reducing your child’s exposure to bullying and school violence is a key way to improve their mental health and, in turn, their academic outcomes.
That doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone, though. With Bridgeway Academy, you have all the resources and support you need to provide your children with a high quality education at home.
With Bridgeway, every child has access to a dedicated academic advisor as well as numerous clubs, communities, and virtual activities. They can engage in peer collaboration, and even walk in an in-person graduation ceremony when they complete their K-12 education. The homeschool socialization opportunities are limitless.
As a parent, you will find a wealth of support and resources at Bridgeway too. Our educational experts can help you design custom curriculum plans that work with your child’s learning style, focus on the subject areas that are most important to you both, and help them reach their full academic potential.
Bridgeway Academy homeschool offerings available through Step Up For Students:
Learn more about Florida Homeschool Financial Aid by Connecting with the Bridgeway Team
Are you considering homeschooling for your child in Florida, or looking to improve their homeschooling experience? Find out more about Florida’s homeschooling laws and requirements, how to find the best homeschool programs in Florida, and connect with our Bridgeway Academy team to learn how we can help.
With the rise of bullying and social pressures in school, many parents are asking the question, ‘Should I homeschool my child?‘ If you ask that same question, connect with our Florida homeschooling experts, and we can answer all your questions. Call us toll-free at (800) 863-1474, fill out a contact form, or join our next virtual open house.
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