McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Is my child eligible for the McKay Scholarship program? In order to be eligible for the McKay Scholarship Program, a student must apply for the program prior to withdrawing from public school. The student must also have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan, and have been enrolled and reported for funding in a Florida public school during the October and February Florida Education Finance Program surveys (Grades K-12) in the same school year; or have been a pre-kindergarten student who was enrolled and reported for funding in a Florida public school during the preceding October and February Florida Education Finance Program surveys in the same school year and was at least 4 years old; or have attended the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind during the preceding October and February student membership surveys (Grades K-12). If your child does not meet these requirements but has an IEP and is a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces who transfers to a school in Florida from out of state or from a foreign country pursuant to a parent’s permanent change of station orders the child may be eligible for a McKay Scholarship. Please contact this office at 1-800-447-1636 for additional information.

How do I apply? If your child meets the eligibility requirements, you need to apply for a scholarship by going to https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/mckay/mckay-parent-info.stml and completing the online intent.

Special Needs (Unique Abilities) Gardiner Scholarship

Is my child eligible for the Gardiner Scholarship (formerly Personal Learning Scholarship Account) program? This scholarship is for Florida students 3 years old through 12th grade or age 22, whichever comes first, with one of the following disabilities: autism spectrum disorder, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Spina bifida, Williams syndrome or intellectual disability (severe cognitive impairment). Also, students in kindergarten deemed “high risk” due to developmental delays and not older than 5 on Sept. 1 may be eligible for the year they apply.

• Students need an Individual Education Plan (IEP) from a Florida school district or a formal diagnosis from a Florida licensed physician or psychologist.
  Students must be at least 3 or 4 on or before Sept 1.
• Students entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Sept 1. Students entering first grade must be 6 on or before Sept 1.
• Students can participate in the PLSA program as part of home education. However, they cannot be enrolled in a public school or receive any other state-sponsored scholarship (McKay Scholarship or the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship).

How do I apply? To apply, go to https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works/

Step-Up

Is my child eligible for the Step-Up for Students Scholarship program? If your family’s income is equal to or less than the amount established by the guidelines for the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and your child meets the age requirements and previous school attendance requirements, your child may be awarded a scholarship.

What will I need to enroll my child in Step-Up for Students Scholarship program? Supporting documentation for ALL criteria is required prior to receiving a scholarship. ALL families MUST send financial documentation. Families with new students MUST include a birth certificate for students entering K5 or 1st grade. For students entering grades 2-12, a Florida public school report card showing attendance for at least the first three reporting periods is REQUIRED prior to final approval.

How do I apply? Application information is available at https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/income-based/how-the-scholarship-works/

VPK

Is my child eligible for the VPK program? If your child will be 4 years of age on or before September 1 and resides in Florida, he or she may participate in the VPK program.

What will I need to enroll my child in VPK Program? Parents must bring the child’s birth certificate OR physician signed shot record AND one proof of Florida residency, (EXAMPLES: valid Florida Driver’s License; recent mortgage statement or lease agreement; recent homeowners or automobile insurance; recent utility bill or bank statement). The proof of residency must match the address where the child resides, which should be reflected on the application. A parent application for the VPK program is available at the time you sign up your child.

How do I apply? You may bring the required documents listed above to one of the Coalition offices. Detailed information is available at https://www.elcofduval.org/. The Early Learning Coalition offers many convenient dates and locations in the community for you to come and sign up your child for the VPK program. You may also apply online at https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/.

Financial Aid

Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church and School Financial Aid (SOTWS Financial Aid)

Any family of children attending or wishing to attend Shepherd of the Woods School regardless of race, religious affiliation, national origin, or gender is eligible for our financial aid program.

• Financial aid is awarded based on family need and availability of funds on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Financial aid is available to offset some of the cost of tuition.

Is my child eligible for the SOTWS Financial Aid program? Any family of children attending or wishing to attend Shepherd of the Woods School regardless of race, religious affiliation, national origin, or gender is eligible for the financial aid program. Financial aid is awarded based on family need and availability of funds. Financial aid is available to offset some of the cost of tuition. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How do I apply? Contact our Admissions Counselor, Angie Ervin, at 904-814-5234 or Admissions@sotwschool.com to find out how to apply.