Independent guide to Florida K-12 scholarships · Not affiliated with any scholarship organization or the Florida Department of Education
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Data · 2026-27

Florida K-12 scholarship income limits and priority tiers, 2026-27

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There is no income limit to qualify for Florida's state K-12 scholarships. For FES-EO, FTC and PEP, household income only decides the order in which new applicants are funded: renewing students first, then Priority 1 (income up to 185%1 of the federal poverty level, or a child in foster or out-of-home care), then Priority 2 (up to 400%1), then everyone else. For a family of four in 2026-27 that means up to $61,0501 for Priority 1 and up to $132,0001 for Priority 2.

Priority tiers

  1. Renewing students are funded before any new applicant.
  2. Priority 1: household income at or below 185%1 of the federal poverty level, or students in foster care or out-of-home care1.
  3. Priority 2: above 185%1 and up to 400%1 of the poverty level.
  4. No income priority: everyone else, including families who opt out of income documentation (SUFS records them as >400%)1. These students are still eligible; they are funded after the priority groups.
2026-27 income priority ceilings by household size (annual household income)1
Household sizeFederal poverty guidelinePriority 1 ceilingPriority 2 ceiling
1$15,960$29,526$63,840
2$21,640$40,034$86,560
3$27,320$50,542$109,280
4$33,000$61,050$132,000
5$38,680$71,558$154,720
6$44,360$82,066$177,440
7$50,040$92,574$200,160
8$55,720$103,082$222,880
9$61,400$113,590$245,600
10$67,080$124,098$268,320
Each additional person+$5,680+$10,508+$22,720

Based on HHS poverty guidelines, January 2026 (48 contiguous states + DC). Applies to FTC, FES-EO, PEP. The dollar figures come from the chart Step Up For Students publishes; the percentages are set in Florida law.

Programs without income tiers

  • FES-UA (Unique Abilities): no income tiers (renewals first, then first-come, first-served)1. See FES-UA.
  • Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarships (from 2027): uses at or below 300% of area median income, not FPL1. No official dollar table exists yet. See the federal credit guide.

Do I have to prove my income?

Only if you want income priority. A family that skips income documentation is still eligible and is processed without priority. Details: eligibility FAQ.

Related: who is eligible · how to apply · award amounts

Sources

  1. 2026-27 School Year Income Priority Guidelines Chart · p.1 · as stated by Step Up For Students · verified on