Over the last several weeks Step Up for Students has been sending out information to families who receive Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships about changes in the program enacted during the most recent legislative session.  A few families have mentioned that they did not receive the news, so below is a recap of what changes are coming for the 2012-13 school year:

 

Previously, all students entering the scholarship in grades 2-12 had to attend a Florida public school the prior year. That requirement now is limited to grades 6-12.  In practical terms, this means that any new scholarship student who is entering grades K-5 for the fall will meet the eligibility requirements for the program as long as the household income meets the standard for free or reduced-price lunch. It will no longer matter where these students attended school the previous year. As you may recall, this provision previously applied only to students entering grades K-1.

 

The state appropriations bill that is soon to be signed by Gov. Rick Scott will result in the maximum scholarship amount increasing from $4,011 to $4,335 this fall. That's the one-year largest increase since the program was created. An increase in the tax-credit cap that governs contributions should also allow Step Up to serve at least another 6,000 students next year.

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