Scholarships for Children of First Responders

Our nation’s first responders deserve our appreciation. With no thought of their own lives, they push forward to be the first in line to help with any emergency. That is why the scholarship Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL exists.

A Florida Tax Credit program that began in 1998, Step Up for Students was originally conceived as a program to help children of lower-income families have a say when it comes to choosing the school that they go to. Since its inception, it has grown to serve up to 80,000 students all across Florida.

How is the Step Up for Students Program Different from the Rest

Many initiatives in this country aim to improve children’s lives. But Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL is different in one major way – The Department of Education Manages it.

Being one of the two major non-profit School Funding Organizations in the region, it issues scholarships after analyzing whether the students are suitable for one of the following scholarships:

  1. The Reading Scholarship
  2. The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
  3. The Gardiner Scholarship
  4. The Family Empowerment Scholarship
  5. The Hope Scholarship

What are the Advantages of Step Up for Students Scholarships

Parents Can Have a Say in Where Their Child Can Study

Every parent wants what is best for their children, regardless of income, however, Clearwater, Florida, currently has a 15.4% poverty rate. Through the Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, the parents living there can provide their children with a high-quality education.

Providing Better Opportunities Regardless of Learning Disadvantages

It is not only the economic disadvantage from which this scholarship program uplifts; it is also students who struggle academically.

For instance, one in every ten people suffers from dyslexia. It is a debilitating factor that many have ignored. But in Step Up for Students participating schools in Clearwater, FL, specialists can teach these kids with special needs, making learning easier and more streamlined.

Special Benefits for Children of First Responders and Children from Military Families

Children of first responders deserve special attention. The fear of losing their parents in the line of duty can cause stress and hurt their self-esteem – filling them with fear.

Thankfully, Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL, also has special benefits for these children. This scholarship helps first responder parents afford the best education for their kids.

Why Scholarships for Children of First Responders

We salute the fact that first responders put their lives on the line to preserve the lives of others. At Lakeside Christian School, we also realize that the number of first responders lost to suicide is on the rise. Therefore, bringing the children of first responders into our scholarship programs is a way to secure the future of the first responders’ families.

Our aim is not just to enhance lives, but to help save them.

You can know more about Step Up for Students scholarship programs at their official website, or by contacting us at Lakeside Christian School today.

Scholarship Options for Private Schools

Clearwater once held the record for most consecutive days of sunshine at 768 days. For this reason, it is evident that God’s creation continues to bless us all. However, when it comes to education, many people are still disadvantaged.

17,500 of every 115,000 people live below the poverty line in Clearwater, Florida. But, their lack of income should never deter their dreams of education. That is why at Lakeside Christian School, we offer many scholarships for private schools so that their children still receive the best education.

Here is the list of Scholarship Options that you can look into for private schools in Clearwater, Florida.

Step Up for Students Scholarships

The Step Up for Students Scholarship is one of the most sought-after scholarship funds in Clearwater, Florida. With this, you can enroll your children in participating private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, private high schools in Clearwater, FL, and private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL.

This scholarship is in demand because it allows parents to get their children into institutions that can offer the best growth opportunities. Moreover, the family members of active military personnel can also take advantage of this scholarship, and get rewarded up to $7,000 for their educational needs.

FACTS Scholarship

If your family income is above the Step Up limits, and you still need access to more affordable tuition, the FACTS scholarship assessment has you covered.

With this option, you send your children to any participating elementary school, high school, or private middle schools in Clearwater, Florida. Under this scholarship, a targeted financial response can be offered to help bring the tuition cost in line with a parent’s ability to pay.

McKay (FES-UA) Scholarship

The McKay scholarship is meant for children with special circumstances. 30,000 students have access to this fund every year, giving them a chance to attend a suitable private school. However, this scholarship doesn’t only cover private schools, but also public schools. For instance, if you want your child to be enrolled in a school that can facilitate teaching for their special needs, you can do so.

While the term “special needs” tends to be ambiguous, let us give you some clarification in this regard. “Special needs” refers to:

  1. Students who have learning disabilities
  2. Students that have special mobility needs
  3. Students that require adaptive equipment to stay functional
  4. Students with several food allergies

That said, there are other requirements that a student must meet to become eligible for this scholarship.

  1. The student must have spent a year in a Florida Public school or
  2. The student must be enrolled and reported for funding by Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, or
  3. The student must have received services from the SIS program (Specialized Instructional Services).

Family Empowerment Scholarship

The Family Empowerment Scholarship Programs are for students with unique abilities. Families with special-needs children as young as three years old can benefit from this program. It offers two options to the parents of such students:

  1. Enroll their children in another public school
  2. Or receive a Personal Educational Savings Account (ESA).

The money from the Personal Educational Savings Account can then be used to pay tuition fees in private schools.

There Are Other Scholarship Options as Well

Whether your children will be attending private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, private high schools in Clearwater, FL, or private elementary schools in Clearwater, FL,  there are many scholarship options for you, including the AA, Florida Tax Credit, Opportunity, and more.

Learn more about Lakeside Christian Schools and contact us today to hear about the wide range of scholarships available here for your children.

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