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.