School Choice / 2021 Legislative Session
School Choice Legislation: 2021 Legislative Session – House Bill 7045
On May 11, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 7045 into law, resulting in several changes to the state funded scholarship programs, including an extensive expansion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. The School Choice Office is working closely with the scholarship funding organizations, AAA Scholarship Foundation and Step Up For Students, to ensure appropriate and effective implementation of these changes. The School Choice Office know you are eager to learn what these changes mean for you and your families, as these changes take effect July 1, 2021.
Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
House Bill 7045
Family Empowerment Scholarship Program
House Bill 7045 expands the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to include two branches of eligibility, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. The 2021 Family Empowerment Scholarship Program amounts will be made available. These amounts will be available no later than July 2021.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
This branch of the scholarship eligibility is based on family income. The administration of this prong of the program will continue to remain the same with a few exceptions. Families are still required to apply through the scholarship funding organizations. The scholarship funding organization is responsible for determining eligibility. They are awarding and distributing funding to eligible students as well.
Below are some changes you can expect
Scholarship payments will come directly from the scholarship funding organization.
The eligible household income level to 375% of the federal poverty level.
The prior year in public eligibility requirement is removed.
Eligibility is expanded to include dependents of US Armed Forces and siblings of students receiving a Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.
The use of funds is expanded to include costs to provide digital devices, including internet access and transportation to a different Florida public school.
Enrollment and re-enrollment will be handled through your scholarship funding organization.
School Choice Legislation
Please read through below for details on the 2021 Legislative Session – House Bill 7045.
House Bill 7045
