Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit scholarship organization that, for the past 12 years, has helped administer the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) and is now helping administer the Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) for children with special needs. ~ ~ ~ The Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) is a new program that helps families customize education plans for their children with special needs. To qualify, students in kindergarten through 12th grade must be diagnosed with one of the following: autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Spina bifida, Williams syndrome or an intellectual disability (severe cognitive impairment). Also, students who are deemed "high risk" due to developmental delays and who are not older than 5 on Sept. 1 may be eligible for the year they are applying. ~ ~ ~ The PLSA allows parents to direct their scholarship funds toward a combination of approved programs and providers they think will best meet their children’s unique needs. These include approved private schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology— even a college savings account. ~ ~ ~ Another option is the Income-based Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), a program that empowers low-income families to find the K-12 school that best meets their children's learning needs. Families may choose between two scholarship options: one that helps cover private school tuition and fees, or one that assists with transportation costs to attend a public school in another county. ~ ~ ~ New families interested in the Income-based scholarship for the 2015-16 school year may begin applying in early March. These families are encouraged to sign up for the Income-based interest list on our website to receive 2015-16 application updates.