27,000
 
  Parents
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An Investment in Children


Help Low-Income Children and Earn Tax Credits

Step Up For Students is an initiative of the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship Program, an educational plan designed to help low-income families in Florida obtain the best education for their children.

Under this program, corporations that owe Florida corporate income tax or insurance premium tax can redirect up to 75 percent of its tax obligation of their tax obligation to non-profit organizations that award K-12 scholarships to students qualifying for the federal government's free or reduced lunch program.

Parents can use these scholarships to send their children to a public or private school that provides the learning environment that best meets the child's particular needs. The corporation, in turn, will receive a 100 percent tax credit for every dollar it donates. Participating corporations redirect funds they must already pay to the state, enabling them to help low-income children achieve greater educational excellence at no cost to the corporation. As a result, the program is paving the way for an educated workforce that will greatly contribute to the betterment of our communities.

This year the Step Up For Students program is giving more than 23,000 kids a second chance to succeed in the classroom, and we have the success stories to prove that the scholarships are a step up for those least likely to afford any kind of school choice option.

Participating companies do not have to be domiciled in Florida; the only requirement is that they have tax liability with the state. Dollars can fund scholarships for children in a specific region(s) or across the state.

Participation is simple and easy. For more information and participation, contact Kerri Vaughan
at (866) 344-9553.

 

CONTRIBUTE HERE

Program Facts

  • Corporations may redirect up to 75 percent of their corporate state income tax or insurance premium tax liability every fiscal year.
  • Florida's Department of Revenue gives participating corporations a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for every dollar transferred to fund scholarships.
  • Parent household income level must fall within financial guidelines for the federal free or reduced lunch program. In 2008-09, the typical Tax Credit Scholarship family of four had an average annual income of $25,400. Scholarship Funding Organizations verify every family's income every year.
  • Giving to the Tax Credit Scholarship Program does not interfere with other philanthropic giving.
  • Scholarships that pay for students' transportation to an out-of-district public school are limited to $500.
  • Scholarships that pay for private school tuition are limited to $3,950, or the cost of tuition, whichever is less.
  • The program is capped statewide at $118-million, which serves about 25,000 students.
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