This article explains how scholarship applications are prioritized and reviewed for the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship Programs.
Quick Links
- How Applications Are Reviewed
- Scholarship Priority Groups
- Renewal vs. New Applicants
- Important Reminders
How Applications Are Reviewed
Scholarship applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Applications are prioritized based on household income level and student eligibility categories established by the program.
Scholarship Priority Groups
Scholarships are awarded in the following order of priority:
| Priority Group | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Priority Group 1 | Students from households with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), students in foster care, or students in out-of-home care |
| Priority Group 2 | Students from households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) |
| Priority Group 3 | Students from households with incomes above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) |
What Is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)?
The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a federal income guideline used to determine scholarship priority categories. Household size and annual income are used to calculate FPL percentage eligibility.
Renewal vs. New Applicant Priority
Within each income priority group, applications are reviewed in the following order:
Renewal Applicants
Renewal applicants are students who:
- Received FES-EO scholarship funding during the previous school year
- Utilized their scholarship funds during the previous school year
Renewal applicants are reviewed before new applicants within the same priority group.
New Applicants
New applicants are students who:
- Did not receive scholarship funding during the previous school year
- Declined scholarship funding during the previous school year
Does Priority Status Guarantee a Scholarship?
No. Priority status does not guarantee scholarship approval or funding.
Applications must:
- Meet all eligibility requirements
- Include all required documentation
- Be successfully reviewed and approved
Funding availability may also affect award decisions.
Important Reminder
Families applying for income priority should ensure income documentation is complete and accurate when submitting the application. Missing income information may affect scholarship prioritization.