Apply for the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES-EO & FES-UA)

Video Tutorial

Before You Begin

Before starting your application, review these important guidelines:

Important: During account creation, select every scholarship program that applies to your household. For example, if one student is applying for FES-EO and another is applying for FES-UA, you must select both programs before creating your Odyssey account. If you only select one program, the other program won't be available to add later.

• Include multiple students on the same application only if they are applying for the same scholarship program.
• If students in your household are applying for different scholarship programs, you'll complete a separate application for each program.
• Do not apply for the same student under multiple scholarship programs, as this may delay processing or affect eligibility.
• Gather any required documents before you begin, including proof of residency, birth certificates, and any scholarship-specific eligibility documentation.

Step 1: Select Your Scholarship Program(s)

Link to Application

On the scholarship selection page:

1. Select Family Empowerment Scholarship – Educational Options (FES-EO), Family Empowerment Scholarship – Unique Abilities (FES-UA), or both, depending on the scholarship programs your students will apply for.
2. If you're unsure which scholarship is appropriate, use the Recommendation Tool to answer a few questions and receive guidance.
3. After selecting all applicable scholarship programs, continue to create your Odyssey account.

Reminder: If multiple students are applying for the same scholarship program, include them on the same application. Students applying for different scholarship programs must be submitted on separate applications.

Step 2: Create or Sign In to Your Odyssey Account

If you're new to Odyssey:

1. Select Create Account.
2. Enter your:
   • First and last name
   • Email address
   • Password
3. Select Create Account.
4. Verify your email by selecting the Verify Email link sent to your inbox within one hour.

If you already have an Odyssey account, sign in using your existing credentials.

Step 3: Begin Your Application

After signing in, you'll see the All Programs page displaying the scholarship programs you selected during account creation.

1. Select Apply for the scholarship program you want to complete.
2. Complete the application for all students applying to that scholarship program.
3. Return to All Programs later to complete any additional scholarship applications for other students.

Important: Only include students applying for the selected scholarship program. Students applying for another scholarship must be added to a separate application.

Step 4: Complete the Parent/Guardian Information

Enter your household information and answer all required questions.

Depending on your responses, you may be asked to provide additional documentation. For example:

• Active-duty military families may be asked to upload active-duty military orders.
• You'll also select your preferred language to help route support requests if assistance is needed.

Important: The parent or guardian's name should exactly match the name shown on the residency documents you'll upload later in the application.

For more information about acceptable documentation, review Acceptable Application Documents for FES-EO and Acceptable Application Documents for FES-UA.

Step 5: Add Your Student(s)

Add each student applying for the selected scholarship program.

For each student:

• Complete all required fields.
• Ensure the student's name and date of birth match their birth certificate.
• Upload any requested eligibility documentation.

If multiple students are applying for the same scholarship program, select Add Student to include them on the same application.

Step 6: Complete Scholarship-Specific Questions

The remaining questions depend on the scholarship program you're applying for.

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

You'll be asked to:

• Confirm your student has a qualifying disability.
• Upload supporting documentation, such as:
  • An Individualized Education Program (IEP), or
  • A diagnosis from a qualified professional.
• Complete additional eligibility questions for each student.

Family Empowerment Scholarship – Educational Options (FES-EO)

Complete the scholarship questions for each student applying under the Educational Options program.

Step 7: Review the Attestations

Carefully review each acknowledgement.

To continue:

1. Select each required acknowledgement.
2. Enter your digital signature.
3. Select Save and Next.

Step 8: Review and Submit Your Application

Review all parent and student information before submitting.

If you need to make changes, select Go Back to edit your information or add another student.

When everything is correct, select Submit Application.

Step 9: Complete Identity and Residency Verification

After submitting your application, you'll complete the verification process.

If you're applying for FES-EO:

You'll first be asked whether you'd like to submit proof of household income.

Providing income documentation is optional, but families who submit qualifying income documentation may be considered for income-based priority during the scholarship award process.

If you choose to provide income documentation, follow the prompts to upload your documents before continuing to residency verification.

If you're applying for FES-UA:

You'll proceed directly to residency verification. Income documentation isn't requested for FES-UA applications.

Residency Verification

You'll be asked to upload two acceptable proof of Florida residency documents.

Examples include:

• Florida driver's license or state-issued ID
• Utility bill
• Other approved proof of residency documents

Important: The parent or guardian's name and address entered on your application must match the information shown on your residency documents.

Active-Duty Military Families

If you indicated that you're an active-duty military member earlier in the application, your verification process may differ from the standard residency verification. Follow the on-screen instructions to upload your military documentation, such as active-duty orders, if requested.

After all required documents have been successfully uploaded, select Continue, then Done.

View Your Application Status

After completing your application, return to your Student Dashboard to monitor your student's status.

Possible statuses include:

Applying for Another Scholarship Program

If you have additional students applying for a different scholarship program:

1. Select Available Programs.
2. Choose the other scholarship.
3. Complete a separate application for students applying to that program.

Each scholarship application requires:

• Parent information
• Student information
• Attestations
• Residency verification
• Supporting documentation

These steps must be completed separately for each scholarship program.

Edit or Resubmit an Application

If you need to make changes after submitting:

1. Open Application History.
2. Select Edit and Resubmit Applications.
3. Follow the prompts to update and resubmit your application.

Need Help?

If you have questions about your application or required documentation, contact Odyssey Support for assistance.