How to Apply for Private School Scholarships

Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of income. As one of the leading private middle schools in Clearwater, FL, Lakeside Christian School is committed to providing individualized education guided by God for all children. Through various scholarship opportunities, you can provide your child with the best education and opportunities possible without worrying about the cost of tuition.

Read on to learn more about applying for the various scholarship programs available at Lakeside Christian School.

Private School Scholarship Programs in Clearwater, Florida

There are multiple scholarship programs available under Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL.

The most popular among them are the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship. There are also scholarship options for students with unique abilities.

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program

Established in 2001, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program offers an income tax credit for corporations that donate to SFOs or Scholarship Funding Organizations. This scholarship is aimed at expanding educational opportunities for children coming from low-income households so that they can achieve greater excellence in terms of education.

The eligibility criteria that must be met in order to benefit from the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program are as follows:

1. Student must be placed in the current or the previous fiscal year, or
2. The student’s name is on the direct certification list, or
3. The student’s family’s household income is not more than 185% of the federal poverty level
4. A student may be considered eligible if their household income is not more than 260% of the federal poverty line

Family Empowerment Scholarship Program

The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program bill was expanded to include two branches in 2022. The eligibility of the students is based on family income.

This scholarship provides K-12 students with options to choose among the participating private schools. Families must apply through one of the approved SFOs.

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities

The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program offers students with unique abilities who are as young as three years old access to additional options for educational institutes. Families can choose a different public school or receive a personal education savings account for their children.

With ESA funds, families can access private school tuition fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, higher education costs, college expenses, and other approved learning materials.

Applying for a Private School Scholarship

Here are the steps to apply for a private school scholarship to benefit from the programs mentioned above.

1. Visit the official website for Step Up for Students in Clearwater, FL
2. Select the scholarship that you want to apply for
3. Download the FTC handbook or FEC handbook to learn about the essential points associated with the scholarship
4. Click on Apply Now
5. Enter the user credentials
6. Follow on-screen instructions and upload the required documents

Information about the documents and additional information about the eligibility criteria are detailed in the scholarship handbooks.

Lakeside Christian School – A Leading Private Middle School in Clearwater, FL

If you are looking for quality education for your children, consider Lakeside Christian School. As a leading private middle school in Clearwater, FL, we offer the best education for your child, regardless of your household income.

To learn more, give us a call at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour today.

School Choice for Hispanic Families

The achievement gap among Hispanic students is an issue that Lakeside Christian School works hard to eliminate. According to the Washington Examiner, the Latino dropout rate is 65% higher than white students, and 40% higher than black students. Contributing to this statistic is the fact that public school options provided to students often do not deliver education that can create transformation in their lives and future.

Read on to learn more about how Lakeside Christian School, a leading Christian high school in Clearwater, FL focuses on the importance of school choice for Hispanic families.

What Is School Choice?

The term “School Choice” refers to parents and guardians having an increased opportunity to select schools their children can attend from elementary to secondary education. Typically, children are assigned to a public school based on where the parents or guardians live, significantly limiting their pool to choose from.

The absence of school choice can lead to racial, ethnic, and economic isolation, which can deter a child from growing.

The Need for School Choice for Hispanic Families

The “one-size-fits-all” approach leaves room for many students to be left behind, a fact that may be contributing to the Hispanic student achievement gap.

Studies show that in a class with 100 students, out of which 30 would be Latino, eight will drop out before graduating high school. It is crucial that your child’s school knows the gap that Hispanic students face, and works to tailor their approach and properly address it. At Lakeside Christian School, one of the top Christian middle schools in Clearwater, FL, we know how important it is to treat each child like the unique individual they are.

What Are the Benefits of School Choice?

School choice provides families with many benefits, some of which are as follows.

Add Student Safety

School choice options protect students from schools where bullying and gang-related violence are common. Research has noted that school choice participants are 50% less likely to commit felonies than those who went to local public schools.

Higher Family Involvement

When parents and guardians are actively involved in deciding where their child attends school, they are more likely to remain involved throughout the school year. This involvement and attention from parents and guardians is crucial to guiding children throughout their academic career and beyond.

At Lakeside Christian School, we are committed to involving the family as much as possible to enrich the lives of our students.

Thorough Religious Education

Religion is a prominent factor in many Hispanic families. While religion is not traditionally taught in public school systems, school choice allows families the option to place their child in an environment guided by God.

Lakeside Christian Schools offers a leading option for Christian middle schools in Clearwater, FL and Christian high schools in Clearwater, FL that help students learn while embracing their faith. We are built on the biblical principles of loving God and loving others, and this care is demonstrated through the relationships between all members of the Lakeside Christian School family.

Scholarships for Low-Income Families

Over 19% of Latino households in Florida live below the federal poverty line, which often deters families from providing a high-quality education to their children. With school choice, these families can apply for scholarships, such as Mckay Scholarships, Step Up For Students Scholarships, and FACTS Scholarships, and find the best possible schooling for their children without the worry of finances. To learn more about our variety of scholarships, click here. 

Enroll Your Child in Lakeside Christian School

At Lakeside Christian School, we are dedicated to providing an environment where all students can embrace their spirituality and reach their full potential, despite financial status.

To learn more about what makes us a leading Christian middle school in Clearwater, FL, call us at (727) 239-7808 or schedule a tour today.

October 2022 – School Newsletter