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.

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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]