Did you know that current McKay families will have the opportunity to remain in their current public or private school choice setting or to utilize the additional options available under the FES UA education savings account model to further customize their child’s education experience for their specific needs? See how you can get a McKay scholarship.
Overview of McKay Scholarship
The McKay Scholarship Program is a state-funded program that lets parents of students with disabilities to choose the academic setting that is best for their child’s educational needs.
Under the Unique Abilities category (FES UA), the McKay Scholarship Program was accepted into the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
The options for eligible students include attending a private school that participates in the program or another public school in their neighborhood or hometown.
Eligibility Requirements
To be qualified to receive a McKay Scholarship, a student must:
- possess a valid Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan that lists a disability.
- be under 22 years old and, by September 1st of the scholarship year, at least 5 years old.
- presently attend a public school in Florida, and.
- have been enrolled in Florida public schools during the previous academic year (as demonstrated by reporting in the FTE counts for both October and February).
You can submit an application for a scholarship if your child is eligible. Your child might be qualified for a McKay Scholarship even if they don’t fit these criteria and have an IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan. If the child does these things:
- is a dependent child of an American military member who moves to a school in Florida from out-of-state or abroad due to a parent’s permanent change of station orders; or
- is a foster child (foster intent form available here). (For more information, please call this office at 1-800-447-1636.)
Note 1: Prior-Year Attendance Waiver – Foster children and children of military families coming to Florida are exempt from the prior year attendance requirement.
Note 2: VPK SIS – If a rising kindergartener received specialized instructional services from a recognized provider in accordance with s. 1002.66, F.S., during the previous school year, they may be able to satisfy the prior year requirement.
Note 3: Kindergarten McKay Scholarship candidates may be Pre-K students who are receiving district services through an IEP and who apply for FTE funding in both October and February.
How to Apply
Register your interest in participating at www.floridaschoolchoice.org, the FLDOE School Choice website.
1. Choose Parents, McKay Scholarships, then click Apply for McKay Scholarship. Then, follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Save the Confirmation Number after you’re done. To verify the status of the application, it will be required.
3. Within 30 days of submitting the Intent, the district will make the child’s matrix number and eligibility status available on the website. In the event that an email address was supplied, the parent will be informed.
Before the child drops out of public school, the Intent must be filed.
For more information, contact:
• school district ESE Department
• The Department of Education’s School Choice information number: 1-800-447-1636
• The website, www.floridaschoolchoice.org