Family Empowerment Scholarship

On March 27, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 1 into law, expanding available school choice options for all students in Florida. As of the 2023-2024 school year, the bill eliminates financial eligibility restrictions and the current enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options.  

This branch of scholarship eligibility provides additional educational options for all K-12 students, such as attending a participating private school. Families apply and  annually renew  through Step Up for Students , which is responsible for determining and distributing funding.  

The 2026-2027 scholarship award amounts will not be officially determined until the Governor has approved the budget. 

Step Up for Students is state-approved, nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFO) that administer funding for Florida choice school programs.

Oxbridge Academy participates in the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES-EO, FES-UA) and  accepts the State of Florida Scholarship for Private Schools facilitated by Step Up for Students. 

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) offers students in grades K-12, who are Florida residents and eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school, to receive funding to attend the private school that best meets their academic needs and is participating in the scholarship program.  

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) offers students with unique abilities, who are diagnosed and eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school, to receive funding to attend the private school that best meets their academic needs and is participating in the scholarship program. 

The scholarship can be used for tuition and other related expenses.

New scholarship rules were recently introduced through House Bill 1, requiring that if a family takes a Florida Scholarship, there is a cost to FLVS courses, for which scholarship funds can be used.  However, the scholarship will first be exhausted by tuition and fees at Oxbridge Academy; therefore, any FLVS classes will have to be paid by the family.  

Yes, families can apply for both Oxbridge financial aid and funding from Step Up for Students.  

Families can apply for Oxbridge Academy financial aid, separate from state-funded scholarship funding from Step Up for Students. For families applying for Oxbridge Academy financial aid, please complete one Personal Financial Statement (PFS) per household and include all students for whom you are applying. 

Current Oxbridge Academy students for the 2026-2027 school year

• An application and tax documents are required of all parents/guardians of enrolled students annually.
• Submit your application and upload your 2024 tax forms (W2s and Form 1040) by November 3, 2025.
• The deadline for submitting applications for priority consideration is November 10, 2025.
• Applications received after November 10, 2025, will be considered as funds are available. 

Applicants to Oxbridge Academy for the 2026-2027 school year: 

• Submit your application and upload your 2024 tax forms (W2s and Form 1040). 
• Financial aid applications must be completed with your admission application.
  • Early Decision application option - apply by November 3, 2025, and complete by November 10, 2025 with all required documentation uploaded.
  • Rolling Decision application option - financial aid application must be complete with required documentation uploaded for admission application to be reviewed.

Click HERE  to begin your financial aid application. Financial aid awards can only be assessed once required information and documents are submitted.

If you have questions about Oxbridge Academy’s financial aid, contact Lisa Weger at lweger@oapb.org.

Families can apply for the scholarship through Step Up for Students at https://www.stepupforstudents.org/ema/ . 

As with any independent school, tuition costs typically increase each year. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, Oxbridge Academy will diligently make efforts to make these increases manageable for all households. The scholarship funds will assist families with tuition and other related costs. 

Oxbridge Academy's Ethical Standards of Conduct are adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.

Oxbridge Academy's Standards of Ethical Conduct