Student Scholarships

Step Up For Students helps administer two scholarship opportunities for Florida schoolchildren. The Gardiner Scholarship is a new program that helps families personalize educational plans for their children with certain special needs. To qualify, students beginning at age three through 12th grade must be diagnosed with one of the following: autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, Phelan McDermid syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Spina bifida, Williams syndrome or an intellectual disability (severe cognitive impairment). Also, students deemed “high risk’’ due to developmental delays and not older than five on September 1 may be eligible for the year they apply. The Gardiner Scholarship allows parents to direct scholarship funds toward a combination of programs and approved providers including approved private schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account. Children who are in foster care, in out-of-home care or who are homeless may also be eligible. Step Up also helps administer a K-12 scholarship for low-income families called the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. Please visit www.StepUpForStudents.org to learn more.