Florida Supports Step Up for Students Scholarship Fund
Governor Charlie Crist today joined south Florida parents, teachers and students at Mount Bethel Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale to thank the many sponsors of Florida’s Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship fund, also known as the “Step Up for Students” fund, for their continued donations to this invaluable program.
Through the K-12 Step Up for Students scholarship fund, low-income families throughout the state are empowered to choose the educational environment that best suits the needs of their child. Just last year, nearly 25,000 Florida students benefited from Step Up for Students Scholarships in about 1,002 private schools throughout the state.
“I am grateful to all the companies who have taken the time to learn about this valuable program and participate in it,” said Governor Crist. “With their generous support, Florida’s children have more scholarship opportunities available and together, I am confident we will continue to provide more educational opportunities and options here in Florida.”
Through the continued success of the program, Florida taxpayers are saving an estimated $39 million a year according to Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. Attendees gathered to celebrate eight years of the program’s success by commending the generosity of donors such as Walgreens, Winn-Dixie, the Florida Lottery, Lowe’s, The GEO Group, Beall’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Great Florida Bank and the City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation and Joseph C. Carter Park.
Participants also listened to the personal story of scholarship recipient, Antonio Trigo, and his siblings who have all benefited from the Step Up for Students program. Through the scholarship program, Antonio was able to transfer to a new school environment where he began to succeed after struggling in a public school classroom. Last spring, he graduated as Valedictorean of his 8th grade class, is excelling in high school and plans to pursue higher education.
The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship program is funded through contributions made by corporations that receive a dollar-for-dollar credit against state corporate income taxes for up to 75 percent of their tax liability. Through this donation, scholarship recipients are able to attend a private school or out-of-district public school of their choice increasing their chances for educational success. Participating students come from families that qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program, and the average income for a household of four is $25,600. Two-thirds of the students are African-American or Hispanic and three-fifths live in single-parent homes.
For more information about the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship program, visit www.stepupforstudents.com.
Topics: Corproate Tax Credit Scholarship fund, education, educational environment, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, students, U.S., United States
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