McKay Scholarship Program FAQs
Effective July 1, 2022, the McKay Scholarship Program will join the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under the Unique Abilities category (FES UA).
Definition & Eligibility
- Attendance at another public school within the district;
- Attendance at an eligible public school in an adjacent district that has space and provides the services identified in the student’s individual education plan or 504 accommodation plan; or
- Attendance at an eligible private, sectarian or nonsectarian, school
Any parent of a public school student with a disability who has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 accommodation plan may receive a McKay Scholarship if the student meets the following requirements:
- The student has spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida public school (the student was enrolled and reported by a Florida school district for funding during the preceding October and February FTE surveys in Pre-K through grade 12), or
- The student was enrolled and reported for funding by the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind during the preceding October and February student membership surveys in kindergarten through grade 12, or
- The student received services under the Specialized Instructional Services (SIS) program during the previous school year and has a current IEP developed by the local school board in accordance with State Board Rule or a 504 accommodation plan, or
- The student is a foster child or is a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces who transfers to Florida from out of state due to a parent's permanent change of station orders, and
- The parent has notified the school district in a manner that creates a written or electronic record of the notification (this is done by filing intent on the School Choice website) at least 60 days prior to the date of the first scholarship payment, and
- The parent has obtained acceptance for admission of the student to a private school that is eligible for the program.
Eligible students may be able to choose another public school or receive a scholarship to attend a participating private school after the intent has been approved.
Public school option: Contact your school district to discuss placement.
Private school option:
- Review the list of participating McKay private schools.
- Contact the private school with any specific questions regarding tuition, curriculum, procedure, policy, transportation, and regulation. The private school registers and enrolls eligible students on the McKay website.
Scholarship Student Participation
The scholarship shall remain in effect until the student:
- Returns to a public school;
- Graduates from high school, or
- Reaches the age of 22, whichever occurs first.
A student in a private school on McKay Scholarship can return to a public school using the McKay Scholarship public school option; however, the parent must notify the district prior to doing so. The school district will determine what public school options are available to the student after receiving the request. A student who exercises this choice will need to reestablish eligibility by being in a school year's October and February student survey before being eligible again for the private school option of the McKay Scholarship.
If a student is already enrolled in the McKay Scholarship Program and attending a participating private school, then a new intent is not necessary. At the end of each school year the private school must re-enroll your child for the coming year. In order to be eligible for the first payment of the next school year, a student must be enrolled by a participating private school by August 2nd.
If your child is currently enrolled in a public school with the McKay Scholarship, then contact your school district office about continuing in the public school program.
If the parents choose a public school option consistent with the school board's choice plan, the school district is responsible for providing transportation to the public school selected by the parent.
If the parent chooses a public school within the district that is not consistent with the school board's choice plan or a public school in an adjacent district, the parent is responsible for providing transportation for the student to the selected public school.
If the parents choose the private school option, the parents are responsible for the student's transportation.
Yes. The scholarship is forfeited when a parent:
- Refuses to restrictively endorse the scholarship payment to the appropriate school for deposit into the account of the participating school as required by s. 1002.39(5)(f), F.S.;
- Enrolls or re-enrolls the student in a public school.
A student can lose eligibility for a scholarship if he or she is enrolled in a DJJ commitment program for longer than 21 days. Also, a student is not eligible while he or she is:
- Receiving a Florida Tax Credit Scholarship.
- Participating in a home education program.
- Participating in a private tutoring program pursuant to s. 1002.43.
- Participating in a virtual school, correspondence school, or distance learning program that receives state funding unless the participation is limited to no more than two courses per year.
- Enrolled in the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
Scholarship Payments
The amount of the scholarship is equal to the amount the student would have received in the public school to which the student is assigned or the amount of the private school’s tuition and fees, whichever is less. (Please note that the scholarship amount may not cover the full costs of private school. Parents are responsible for any tuition or fees above the scholarship amount.)
Calculations are made based on the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan and the services provided by the district. Based on the type and frequency of the services offered by the district, a matrix number is developed and used to determine the student’s funding level.
The funding amounts for the various matrix levels are set annually by the Florida state government, and may vary from year to year. The updated amounts for future school years are usually available at the beginning of July.
To potentially be eligible for the full scholarship amount (100% of your state generated funding) the intent must be filed by July 3, and the student must be enrolled by August 2.
For 75% - File by September 2, enroll by October 2.
For 50% - File by December 3, enroll by January 2.
For 25% - File by January 31, enroll by March 2.