Scholarships
About The Hope Scholarship
Every parent wants a rewarding, effective and safe learning environment for the children. Sadly, bullying happens and every incidence of bullying matters. Florida Statute 1002.40 recognizes that no student should suffer from bullying!
Get help for your student by immediately reporting the incident to the principal. Any incidence of ‘battery, harassment, hazing, bullying, kidnapping, physical attack, robbery, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual battery, threat or intimidation, or fighting at school, at a school sponsored activity, riding on the school bus or waiting at the bus stop should be reported right away.’
Once a parent reports the incident, it becomes the school’s responsibility to solve the problem to their satisfaction. At the same time, the school must notify the parent of the 2 Hope Scholarship options: a transportation stipend to move their student to another public school or a scholarship to move their child to a private school.
The school will likely investigate the incident, but the student’s eligibility for a Hope Scholarship is absolute and does not depend on the outcome of any investigation. Additionally, Chancellor Oliva’s March 1, 2019 letter sent to every superintendent makes it very clear that that the student is eligible simply by reporting the incident.
“PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE SUBSTANTIATION IN ORDER FOR THE DISTRICT TO NOTIFY THE PARENT OF THE PROGRAM, and any district that is adding this requirement is in violation of the statute and administrative rule and will be dealt with according to the law.”
‘Bullying’ Has A Whole New Meaning.
Bullying isn’t what you think. Bullying isn’t just student on student anymore. It’s happening in classrooms across the country…by teachers teaching that God doesn’t exist, that your child is privileged and inherently racist, that socialism is superior to free markets, denigrating the biblical view of creation, teaching the Marxist propaganda of BLM, the 1619 project and much more. Children across America are being taught radical ideas that are harmful, threatening, and intimidating to many families. If this is happening to your child, you are eligible for the Hope Scholarship.
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APPLY NOW Florida Scholarships
We believe that your child deserves the best education available. With this in mind, we have created this list of scholarship opportunities available for Florida students. Scholarships are available for children experiencing bullying, in need of help with reading or disabilities, for low income families and more. One of these scholarships could potentially be your child’s ticket into a school that will challenge them towards their highest potential!
Florida Tax Credit ScholarshipThe Florida Tax Credit Scholarship allows parents with the opportunity to choose the best education for their child without being restricted by lower income. Visit stepupforstudents.org to learn more.
Reading ScholarshipThe Reading Scholarship grants students with a difficulty in reading the resources necessary to improve their literacy. The program offers parents access to education savings accounts, worth $500 each, to pay for tuition and fees related to part-time tutoring, summer and after-school literacy programs, instructional materials and curriculum related to reading or literacy. Visit stepupforstudents.org to learn more.
McKay ScholarshipFor students with disabilities, the McKay Scholarship provides students with special needs the ability to attend a private school or another public school. This scholarship has many benefits. Visit fldoe.org to learn more.
Gardiner ScholarshipThis scholarship is different than other state scholarships for students with disabilities, such as the McKay Scholarship, in that it allows parents to personalize their child’s education by directing money toward a combination of programs and approved providers. These include schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account. Visit stepupforstudents.org to learn more.
Family Empowerment ScholarshipSimilar to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, this scholarship helps low-income and working-class families to afford the best education for their children. The funds for this scholarship are increased every year so don’t miss your chance to apply! Visit stepupforstudents.org to learn more.
Hope Scholarship FAQ
This sounds too good to be true. What’s the catch? ExpandWe agree it sounds too good to be true. But it’s true! We have confirmed, in multiple conversations with the Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran, that this scholarship works exactly as described.
Where can I learn more about this scholarship? ExpandThe HOPE scholarship details are on the Florida Department of Education website.
What kind of incidents qualify for this scholarship? ExpandThis scholarship is often referred to as a remedy for bullying. It is that and so much more. The scholarship covers any of these incidents: battery, harassment, hazing, bullying, kidnapping, physical attack, robbery, sexual offense, threat or intimidation and fighting.
My child experienced one of these incidents but it wasn’t from another student. Does my child still qualify for the Hope Scholarship? ExpandThis scholarship is often referred to as a remedy for bullying. It is that and so much more. The scholarship covers any of these incidents: battery, harassment, hazing, bullying, kidnapping, physical attack, robbery, sexual offense, threat or intimidation and fighting.
How do I report an incident and qualify my child for the Hope Scholarship? ExpandPrint the Hope Scholarship Notification Form from the Florida Department of Education website. (We recommend printing the form yourself since there has been some confusion with incorrect or altered forms. Using the wrong form could delay the process.)
Next complete the form to the best of your ability. There may be some information you will need the school to provide.
Then take the form to your child’s school principle to report the incident and have the form completed and signed.
The school will make a copy of the completed form. The instructions on the form require them to give you the completed original form. We suggest you ask for a copy as well.
Very important! Make sure they give you the original form. They are required to give you the original and under no circumstances should you allow them to retain the original copy. You must retain the original form or it could seriously hinder the process of qualifying and receiving the scholarship. There is absolutely no reason for the school to keep the original form and they are required to give it to you. Do not leave the meeting with the principle without the original form.
Once I report the incident, how will I know my child qualifies for the Hope Scholarship? ExpandWhen a parent properly reports an incident as described above, their child is automatically qualified for the Hope Scholarship.
The school will investigate the incident as required by law. At the conclusion of the investigation or within 15 days after you reported the incident, the school district will notify you about the Hope Scholarship program.
The school may solve the problem to your satisfaction and your child can continue to attend the school and be much safer. Remember, if the school works to solve the problem, the solution must meet with your approval. If you are not satisfied with their solution, the other Hope Scholarship program offers are immediately available to you.
The school district is required to offer you the opportunity to transfer your child to another public school that has capacity or you can request and receive the scholarship.
If you choose a public school outside your school district, you are eligible for up to $750 to help with transportation expenses.
What if the Principle investigates the incident and disagrees that the incident qualifies for the Hope Scholarship? ExpandFlorida law is crystal clear on this very point. No one has to agree with you, the child’s parent, to qualify your child for the Hope Scholarship.
In a memo to school superintendent’s, Jacob Oliva, Chancellor, Division of Public Schools wrote “PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE SUBSTANTIATION IN ORDER FOR THE DISTRICT TO NOTIFY THE PARENT OF THE PROGRAM, and any district that is adding this requirement is in violation of statute and administrative rule and will be dealt with according to law.”
It all sounds so easy, but what if I need help or have other questions? ExpandIf you have any problems with this process, please reach out to us using the form below. We have had extensive consultations with Commissioner Corcoran, Chancellor Oliva and other people in the Florida Department of Education. We understand the potential difficulties and we will help you. Plus, we have assurance that the Commissioner and Chancellor will help solve any problems that arise.