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 Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. 

The program, which will begin in 2027, allows individual taxpayers to contribute to approved scholarship-granting organizations, enabling students from a wide range of backgrounds to pursue the learning environment and educational resources that best fit their needs. 

Florida leads the nation with over 528,000 students receiving a state education choice scholarship. The federal tax credit opens the door to additional funding streams that build upon the variety of choice options the state currently offers so that students can thrive regardless of ZIP code.  

Step Up For Students will participate in administering the program by establishing, in accordance with federal law, the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund, a separate 501c3 non-profit.  

“This marks a transformative moment for students across Florida,” said Step Up For Students CEO Gretchen Schoenhaar. “By joining the Education Freedom Tax Credit Program, the state is empowering families with greater educational choice and expanding access to opportunities that can shape futures for generations. We’re proud to support Florida students as they pursue the learning pathways that will help them succeed and look forward to administering the EFTC program.”