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Family Empowerment Scholarship Description
The Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) is a scholarship program in the United States that provides education funding for eligible students from low-income or working-class families. The program was introduced in Florida in 2019 and has since been adopted by several other states.
The FES program provides eligible families with scholarships that can be used to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational services. The program is designed to give families more options when it comes to choosing the educational path that best suits their child's needs.
To be eligible for the FES program, families must meet certain income requirements and have a child who is either entering kindergarten or who has spent the prior school year in a Florida public school. Eligibility criteria can vary by state.
The FES program is part of a larger movement towards school choice and education reform in the United States. Supporters argue that the program gives families more control over their children's education and can help improve academic outcomes. Critics, on the other hand, argue that the program diverts funds away from public schools and may not effectively improve educational outcomes for students.
FES Amount/Award:
The amount awarded through the Family Empowerment Scholarship program can vary depending on the state and the student's individual needs. In Florida, for example, the scholarship amount is determined by the grade level of the student and ranges from $7,000 to $7,840 per year for the 2022-2023 school year.
The actual amount awarded may also depend on the cost of tuition at the private school the student will attend or the cost of the other educational services for which the scholarship will be used. In some cases, families may need to cover additional costs beyond the scholarship amount.
It's important to note that the amount awarded through the Family Empowerment Scholarship program may not cover the full cost of private school tuition or other educational services, so families should be prepared to cover any additional costs
Family Empowerment Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria for the Family Empowerment Scholarship program can vary by state, but in general, families must meet certain income requirements and have a child who is either entering kindergarten or who has spent the prior school year in a public school.
For example, in Florida, to be eligible for the program, families must meet the following criteria:
- The household income must be at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For the 2022-2023 school year, this means that a family of four must have a household income of $79,500 or less.
- The student must be eligible to enroll in a Florida public school and must be entering kindergarten or have spent the prior school year in a Florida public school.
- The student must not have been enrolled in a private school during the previous school year.
- The student must meet certain residency requirements.
Note that eligibility criteria can vary by state, so families should check with their state's education department or the organization administering the program to determine if they qualify.
See also: HKU Scholarship Program in Hong Kong 2023
Benefits of Family Empowerment Scholarship program:
- Choice of school: Families can use the scholarship to pay for tuition at a private school that meets their child's needs. This can give families more options and control over their child's education.
- Access to educational services: The scholarship can also be used to pay for other educational services, such as tutoring, online courses, and textbooks.
- Improved academic outcomes: Supporters of the program argue that it can improve academic outcomes for students, particularly those from low-income families who may not have access to high-quality schools or educational resources.
- Reduced financial burden: The scholarship can help reduce the financial burden of private school tuition or other educational expenses for families who may not be able to afford these costs on their own.
- Flexibility: The scholarship can be used for different educational services, giving families more flexibility in how they choose to use the funds
How To Apply for Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
- Visit your state's education department website or the organization administering the program in your state.
- Review the eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully to ensure you meet the criteria and have all necessary documentation.
- Complete the application form and submit any required documentation, such as income verification or proof of residency.
- Wait for notification of acceptance or denial.
- If accepted, follow any additional instructions regarding using the scholarship funds, selecting a school, or accessing other educational services.