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Article posted on November 13, 2026 • 8 min read

Step Up, Step Further: What Florida Families Need to Know for 2027

Article posted by Lakeside Christian School Updated on Nov 13, 2026

Choosing the right school is only one part of planning for your child's education, especially if you are considering private school. Families also need clear information about the resources that may help make that choice more affordable and accessible. Beginning in 2027, eligible Florida K-12 students may have access to a new source of educational funding through the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund. The program is made possible by the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit and is intended to help qualifying students in both private and public schools access approved educational resources.

At Lakeside Christian School, we want families in Clearwater and throughout Pinellas County to have accurate, practical information as they plan for the 2027-2028 school year. Here is what parents and guardians currently need to know.

What Is the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship?

Step Up, Step Further is a new scholarship opportunity that builds on Step Up For Students' experience serving Florida families. It is connected to a new federal program called the Education Freedom Tax Credit, which allows eligible individual taxpayers to make qualified contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. Those contributions are then used to provide scholarships for eligible K-12 students.

The program is scheduled to launch January 1, 2027. Unlike Florida's existing private-school scholarship, Step Up, Step Further may benefit eligible students attending public, charter, or private schools. This is a separate opportunity from the state scholarships already administered by Step Up For Students. It is intended to provide additional educational support rather than replace Florida's existing scholarship programs. Families can review the official Step Up, Step Further information for parents and guardians for the most recent program updates.

Who May Qualify for Step Up, Step Further?

Under the eligibility guidance currently available, a student may qualify if the student:

Is a Florida resident
Meets the age requirements to enroll in a Florida K-12 public school
Will attend a Florida public, charter, or private K-12 school during the 2027-2028 school year
Lives in a household with income at or below 300% of the area median income for the family's county, adjusted for household size

Area median income, commonly shortened to AMI, is different from the federal poverty level. The applicable income limit depends on both the county and the number of people in the household. Pinellas County families should use the official AMI lookup tool on the Step Up, Step Further website rather than relying on a statewide estimate. Meeting the general guidelines does not guarantee eligibility or a scholarship award. Final eligibility will be determined through the official application process.

When Can Florida Families Apply?

Scholarship applications are expected to open in February 2027. Applications are not open yet. Families who are interested should join the official Step Up, Step Further interest list to receive updates about the application process, eligibility requirements, scholarship availability, and program guidelines. Joining the interest list is not the same as submitting an application, and it does not guarantee that a student will receive funding. It is currently the best way to receive official announcements as the program approaches its launch.

What Could the Scholarship Cover?

Step Up, Step Further is intended to support approved educational expenses. Based on current program guidance, examples may include:

Private-school tuition and eligible fees
Tutoring and academic support
Special-education services and therapies
Books, curriculum, and learning materials
Technology and educational devices
Classroom and educational supplies

The complete list of approved expenses is still being finalized. Families should wait for the official program rules before making financial plans or purchases based on expected scholarship coverage. The program is also not designed to reimburse families for out-of-pocket purchases they have already made.

Can Families Use Step Up, Step Further with an Existing Florida Scholarship?

Students may be able to use a Step Up, Step Further scholarship alongside an existing Florida scholarship, including a scholarship administered by Step Up For Students, subject to the rules of both programs. This could provide eligible families with additional support for tuition or other approved educational needs. However, the details governing how the scholarships may be combined have not yet been finalized. Families should not assume that Step Up, Step Further will cover a particular balance or expense until they receive official guidance. Families can learn more about the state scholarship Lakeside currently accepts on our Step Up for Students scholarship page.

How Is the New Scholarship Funded?

The Education Freedom Tax Credit encourages eligible individual taxpayers to make qualified cash contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations. Beginning January 1, 2027, an eligible individual may be able to claim a federal income-tax credit of up to $1,700. Married couples filing jointly may be able to claim combined credits of up to $3,400 when each spouse makes a qualified contribution, subject to federal tax liability and program requirements. Those figures describe the potential donor tax credit, not the amount a student will receive. Student scholarship amounts have not yet been announced. Donors should review the IRS Federal Scholarship Tax Credit information and consult a qualified tax professional about their individual circumstances.

What Can Families Do Now?

Although applications are not yet open, families can take several useful steps before February:

1. Join the official interest list

2. Review the income guidelines

Use the program's AMI lookup tool to check the current income guideline for your county and household size. Remember that the application process will make the official eligibility determination.

3. Begin organizing likely documentation

Current guidance indicates that families may need documentation related to Florida residency, household income, the school the student attends or plans to attend, and legal guardianship when applicable. Examples could include parent or guardian identification, pay stubs, government-assistance letters, custody or foster-care documents, and 2026 W-2 or federal tax forms.

The final application checklist has not yet been released, so families should follow the official website for confirmed requirements.

4. Explore school options before application season

Families do not need to wait for scholarship applications to begin researching schools. Visiting campuses now provides time to ask about academics, biblical worldview, student support, athletics, arts, tuition, and the admissions process.

5. Avoid assuming an award amount

Step Up, Step Further has not announced how much an individual student may receive. The $1,700 and $3,400 amounts associated with the program are donor tax-credit limits, not student scholarship awards.

What Could Step Up, Step Further Mean for Families Considering Lakeside?

Lakeside Christian School is a private K-12 Christian school in Clearwater serving families from across Pinellas County. Lakeside already accepts eligible Florida scholarships administered by Step Up For Students, and we are following the development of Step Up, Step Further closely. For a qualifying family, the new scholarship may eventually provide additional support for approved education expenses. Scholarship eligibility and awards will be determined by Step Up, Step Further, while admission to Lakeside remains a separate school process.

Applications for Lakeside's 2027-2028 school year are now open. Families can review our tuition information, learn about the Lakeside admissions process, and request a personal campus tour to explore whether our Christ-centered K-12 community is the right fit for their child.

Frequently Asked Questions About Step Up, Step Further

Is the Step Up, Step Further application open now?

No. Applications are expected to open in February 2027. Families can join the official interest list now to receive updates. Joining the list is not an application and does not guarantee an award.

How much will a student receive?

Student scholarship amounts have not been announced. The $1,700 and $3,400 amounts mentioned in information about the program are potential federal tax-credit limits for qualifying donors, not student award amounts.

Is Step Up, Step Further only for private-school students?

No. Eligible K-12 students attending Florida public, charter, and private schools may benefit from the program.

Can a student keep an existing Step Up For Students scholarship?

Students may be able to use the federal scholarship alongside an existing Florida scholarship, subject to applicable program requirements. More guidance is expected before applications open.

Will the scholarship reimburse expenses a family has already paid?

No. Current program guidance says Step Up, Step Further is not designed to reimburse families for purchases they have already made.

Does joining the interest list guarantee eligibility or funding?

No. The interest list provides updates only. Eligibility will be determined through the application process, and an award is not guaranteed.

Does Lakeside decide who receives the scholarship?

No. Step Up, Step Further will administer applications and scholarship awards. Lakeside's admissions process is separate from scholarship eligibility.

Plan Ahead for the 2027-2028 School Year

Scholarship programs can make new educational opportunities possible, but families should not have to navigate school decisions alone. Lakeside's admissions team is available to answer questions about our academics, Christian mission, tuition, existing scholarship participation, and enrollment process.

If you are considering private Christian education in Clearwater for 2027-2028, request a campus tour to meet our team, visit our classrooms, and discover how students are known, supported, and challenged at Lakeside Christian School.

Program information is current as of November 13, 2026, and is subject to change. Families should rely on Step Up, Step Further for official eligibility and application decisions. Taxpayers should consult a qualified tax professional for advice about the Education Freedom Tax Credit.