ECCA Program News & Updates

From state-level opt in announcements to new Treasury rules, get the latest analysis and press releases from our expert policy team.

Navigating New Horizons Conference 2026

With the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) set to launch in 2027, schools and organizations across the country are preparing for one of the most significant developments in scholarship funding in recent history.

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Step Further Goes to Washington D.C.

This week, Keith Jacobs, Director of Provider Development at Step Up For Students, was invited to participate in an Education Freedom Tax Credit roundtable at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, joining national leaders in a thoughtful discussion on expanding educational opportunity for families. The conversation focused on a critical question: How do we ensure […]

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5 Things Parents & Guardians Need to Know About the 2027 Education Freedom Tax Credit

Every parent or guardian wants the same thing: an education that helps their child grow, thrive, and feel confident about the future. Starting in 2027, a new opportunity, the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, will help make that possible for even more Florida families.

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Why Choosing the Right SGO Partner Matters

A message to families, schools, and communities navigating the Education Freedom Tax Credit When families think about education, they aren’t thinking about systems, platforms, or processes. They’re thinking about their children. They’re thinking about the late nights spent helping with homework, the uncertainty of whether their child’s school will still be there next year, and the hope that one more opportunity […]

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Step Up For Students founder and chairman speaks on education choice at Florida TaxWatch policy forum

At Florida TaxWatch’s policy forum, Step Up For Students Founder and Chairman John Kirtley shared how the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit will help expand opportunity for K-12 low income district school students.

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Meet the Team: Jenna Cooper

At the heart of every great system is someone who quietly asks the right questions and cares deeply about the people those systems are built to serve, and that’s where Jenna Cooper, our Business Analyst, shines. Jenna brings a thoughtful, steady presence to Step Up, Step Further, helping translate complex ideas into solutions that work […]

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Meet the Team: Julisse Levy

At Step Up, Step Further, our culture is grounded in purpose and powered by a shared belief that every student deserves access to opportunity, no matter their circumstances. We are a team that leads with heart, moves with urgency, and embraces a “whatever it takes” mindset in service of students and families across Florida. That […]

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Meet The Team: Jennifer White

Real impact starts with real people. Meet Jen, Director of Policy & Compliance. Jen is a passionate leader behind the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund - a team committed to opening doors and changing lives for Florida’s K–12 students. Meet Jennifer White, Director of Policy & Compliance Q. Jen, what would be the greatest […]

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Opportunity shouldn’t depend on an address

By Lauren May, Vice President, Step Up, Step Further In a state as diverse and dynamic as Florida, opportunity should never depend on an address. Where a child grows up should not determine how far they can go. And yet, for too many Florida students, it still does. This isn’t just an education issue; it’s […]

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Florida governor opts in to Education Freedom Tax Credit program, Step Up For Students announces plans to administer

VALRICO – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday morning that Florida will opt in to the nationwide Education Freedom Tax Credit program established in August by the Trump Administration. The federal program, which will launch in 2027, is designed to bring education choice to families across the country. In doing so, it will give families from coast to coast what those in Florida have enjoyed for more than 20 years […]

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Florida Expands Opportunity for Students Through Education Freedom Tax Credit Program 

Step Up For Students, the nation’s largest education choice scholarship funding organization, applauds Gov. Ron DeSantis for announcing today that Florida will participate in the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program

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Coming Soon: A Way To Grow School Choice Scholarships

By Ron Matus Happy New Year and heads up! We have big news and a small ask. The big news: The brand-new Education Freedom Tax Credit will strengthen Step Up scholarships in a historic way when it kicks off one year from now. We are still awaiting details. But most of us will be able […]

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Breaking Barriers: How School Choice is Changing the Game for Every Student

Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program Launch – 2027 For decades, education in America has been defined by boundaries, district lines, ZIP codes, and income brackets. These invisible walls have shaped futures, often limiting opportunities for students who deserve more. But in 2027, those walls are coming down. The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program is rewriting the rules […]

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Dreams Without Boundaries: Why School Choice is America’s Next Great Equalizer

For generations, a child’s future has been tethered to their ZIP code. Where you live often determines the quality of your education, and for millions of families, that reality has felt like an unbreakable chain. But what if we could change that? What if every child, regardless of income, neighborhood, or circumstance, had the freedom to attend a school […]

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Double the Opportunity: How Florida Families Will Thrive with State and Federal Scholarships in 2027

For years, Florida families have seen the transformative power of Step Up For Students scholarships. These programs have opened doors to better schools, personalized learning, and resources that help students thrive. But imagine what happens when those opportunities multiply. In 2027, families won’t just rely on their Florida state scholarship, they’ll be able to add a federal scholarship […]

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