Tuition & financing
Step Up for Students Scholarship: Applying & Information
Did you know all Florida residents, regardless of income, can receive a minimum of $7,500* toward their child’s private education costs?
At a glance
- Minimum award$7,500* per student
- Who can applyEvery Florida family, regardless of income
- ScholarshipsFTC, FES-EO and PEP
- Where to applyThe Step Up for Students EMA portal
A quality private education within reach
Your child’s education is the most important thing you control to ensure their happiness and success. American High School Academy and Florida’s Step Up for Students scholarship program partner with you to put a quality, private education within your child’s grasp.
American High School Academy (AHSA) accepts Step Up for Students scholarships. Step Up scholarships provide financial support to access private school programs and other learning resources that address educational needs for students who otherwise could not afford them.
AHSA is an innovative and fully accredited college preparatory school devoted to educational excellence, where students are inspired and challenged to reach their full potential. Curricula are tailored to individual learning styles, with different academies to fit student needs.**
Full-time programs that qualify
Students can enroll full-time in these AHSA programs:
Preparatory Academy
STEM Aviation / Aerospace Magnet Program
Honors Academy
Digital Blended-Learning Academy
Dual Enrollment
Student Athlete Programs
Exploration in learning and loving education is possible! To experience an AHSA classroom in person, schedule a tour today.
How to apply for a Step Up for Students scholarship
Follow the steps below. Please don’t hesitate to contact the school at (305) 270-1440 or through our contact form with any questions, or if you’re having trouble completing the scholarship application.
Step 1
Apply on the portal
- Go to Apply Scholarships – Step Up For Students, scroll to the bottom and select “Log in to EMA.”
- If you already have an EMA account, use that same account for the new school year. Families manage all of their students and scholarships in one account, even if the children benefit from different scholarship programs.
- If you don’t have an EMA account, select “Sign Up” and follow the steps to create one.
Step 2
Once you’ve logged in to EMA
- Before beginning your application, open the “My Students” tab to make sure all of your students are linked to your EMA account. If a student isn’t listed, select “Add a Student” before starting an application.
- Scroll down your EMA dashboard and select “Apply” next to the right program. If more than one child will benefit, you’ll choose which students you’re applying for as you begin.
- Important: a student can only be on one scholarship application, so apply for the correct program for each student.
- Interested in PEP? Select “Apply” for the FTC/FES-EO program.
- If you see an error message, clear your browser cache and try again.
Step 3
After you submit
- Monitor the status of your application in your EMA account.
- Watch your email for updates as your application is processed.
Renewing an FTC, FES-EO or FTC-PEP scholarship
Step Up for Students provides a helpful video guide on how to complete the renewal application. If you run into any issues, have questions or need help, please contact us. We’re happy to help.
*Minimum Step Up scholarship level current as of April 2024. Subject to change. Actual scholarship award to be determined by the Step Up Foundation upon application.
**A private school student with a disability does not have an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive if enrolled in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended.
Questions? Talk to Admissions
An Admissions Specialist can review your transcript, answer your questions and recommend a path.