The McKay Scholarship Program for Kids with Disabilities will provide over 30,000 Florida students with special needs with the chance to attend a participating private school. Parents can also move their eligible child to another public school through the McKay Scholarship Program.
The McKay Scholarship Program will join the Family Empowerment Scholarship program under the Unique Abilities category on July 1, 2022 (FES UA). Current McKay families will be able to stay in their current public or private school choice setting, or they will be able to use the additional options available under the FES UA education savings account model to further customize their child’s education experience for their specific needs.
What is the Mckay Scholarship?
The Mckay Scholarship is a tax-free scholarship for children with disabilities. It’s funded by the government and can be used to pay for education at a private school.
Mckay Scholarship requirements
To qualify for this scholarship, you must:
- have one or more children with disabilities who are already enrolled in primary school.
- be a dependent of a disabled veteran.
Read also: Rhodes Scholarship for International Students
Financial benefits
Mckay / FES UA will:
- Pay for school tuition.
- pay for transportation.
- pay for other educational expenses.
- Pay for books and supplies
The McKay Scholarship transition to FES
On May 20, 2022, a law was signed to expand the eligibility for the Family Empowerment Scholarship to include children with special abilities.
Students currently enrolled in the McKay Scholarship Program will be eligible to apply for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under the Unique Abilities category beginning July 1, 2022. (FES UA).
What exactly is the Family Empowerment Scholarship?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship was established in 2019 to provide financial assistance to students from low-income families. In 2021, House Bill 7045 expanded the program to include two streams of eligibility: the income-based Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES EO) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES UA).
When will the transition take place?
The original law that established the McKay Scholarship Program will be repealed on June 30, 2022. Students enrolled in the McKay Scholarship Program will be eligible for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under the Unique Abilities category beginning July 1, 2022. (FES UA).
Also see: San diego state University Scholarship for all Students
Will scholarship amount be affected after transition?
FES UA scholarship amounts, like the McKay Scholarship, are based on the Florida Education Finance Program budget established by the legislature each year and are calculated in relation to the student’s grade level, matrix level, and school district. The scholarship amount may differ from year to year.
On the other hand, House Bill 7045 stated that for students transferring from McKay to FES UA, their scholarship amount cannot be less than what they received during the 2021–2022 school year.
You may also like: Fully funded American University Scholarship for all Students
How will the transition affect McKay Scholarship public school students?
Students who are currently enrolled in the McKay Scholarship public school option will be able to continue to do so under the FES UA public school option. Families should continue to consult with their school districts when picking a public school.
How do i join Mckay scholarship?
For more information on how to apply for the Mckay Scholarship or how to make the transition to the Family Empowerment Scholarship, please visit the official website here.