Corporations: Help Low-Income Children and Earn Tax Credits

Step Up For Students is an initiative of the Florida Corporate Tax Credit (CTC) Scholarship Program, an educational plan designed to help low-income families in Florida obtain the best education for their children.

Under this program, corporations that owe Florida corporate income tax can redirect a portion of their tax obligation to non-profit organizations that award K-12 scholarships to students qualifying for the federal government's free or reduced lunch program.

Parents can use these scholarships to send their child to a public or private school that provides the best learning environment that meets their particular needs. The corporation in turn will receive a 100 percent tax credit for every dollar they donate. Participating corporations redirect funds they must already pay to the state, enabling them to help low-income children achieve greater educational excellence at no cost. As a result, the program is paving the way for an educated workforce that will greatly contribute to the betterment of our communities.

This year the Step Up For Students program gave more than 20,000 kids a second chance to succeed in the classroom, and we have success story after success story to prove that the scholarships are a step up for those least likely to afford any kind of school choice options.

Participating companies do not have to be domiciled in Florida; the only requirement is that they have tax liability with the state. Dollars can fund scholarships for children in a specific region(s) or across the state.

Participation is simple and easy. For more information and participation, contact Kerri Vaughan at (866) 344-9553.

How to Sign Up to be a Corporate Donor:

1. Open this PDF for instructions.

2. With the PDF open, visit this website and complete the form.

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• Corporations may redirect up to 75 percent of their corporate state income tax liability every fiscal year.

• Florida's Department of Revenue gives participating corporations a dollar for dollar tax credit for every dollar transferred to fund scholarships.

• Parent household income level must fall within financial guidelines set by the National School Lunch Program. The typical CTC scholarship family has an average income of $24,489 for a family of four. Scholarship Funding Organizations verify qualification every year.

• Giving to the CTC Scholarship Program does not interfere with other philanthropic giving.

• Scholarships that pay for students' transportation to an out-of-district public school are limited to $500.

• Scholarships that pay for private school tuition are limited to $3,950, or the cost of tuition, whichever is less.

• The Program is capped at $118 million.