New Legislation Impacts Step Up For Students

The 2022 legislative session came to an end on March 14, 2022. While sharp division riddled the proceedings, several changes impacting the Step Up for Students program are worth noting. Passed bills will move to the desk of Governor DeSantis and, if signed, are set to take effect on July 1, 2022.

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC)/Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)

In order for funding to be received in a timely manner, Senate Bill 2524 allows for the cross-check process with the Florida Department of Education to happen after funds have been distributed. If a student is found to be enrolled in another scholarship program or in public school, the student’s scholarship may be negatively impacted.

House Bill 3 will allow dependents of law enforcement officers to qualify for the FES-EO regardless of income. How a law enforcement officer is defined can be found in the Florida statute. These students do not count against the enrollment cap.

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

In the 2022-23 school year, the FES-UA program cap will increase by 6,500 students. Senate Bill 2524 allows 26,500 students in the program with additional categories of students who do not count against the cap. Eligible dependents of law enforcement officers, per House Bill 3, are exempt from the cap. Senate Bill 2524 will also have an impact as the cross-check process can happen after funding is received.

Reading Scholarship Accounts

In the future, this will be referred to as the New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts and will expand to serve kindergarten through fifth grade. The program currently serves students with a substantial reading deficiency in third through fifth grade.

Transportation Scholarship Families (FTC and FES-EO Programs)

The transportation option award will increase to $750 or the value of the local school district’s per-pupil expenditure on transportation, whichever is greater.

Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse

A centralized process, or Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, will be in place for background screening and allow criminal history background checks to be provided to qualified entities, including private schools that accept scholarship funds.

How can ACM CPAs help your school?

Aguiar Cabrera Maceo & Co., LLP (ACM) is an approved Step Up for Students CPA service provider with more than 100 successful submissions, years of extensive experience since the inception of the program, and dozens of schools currently under advisement. Our team works diligently to stay apprised of new and updated reporting requirements from the state. Whether you are looking to complete your first AUP, looking for a new CPA to complete your AUP, or needing assistance and guidance completing Corrective Action Plans we are here to support you, so you can support our state’s most precious individuals.

Our team is monitoring these and other legislative changes. Check back for updates. For more information or to see how we can work together to meet all your school’s needs, contact us today.