Get personalized tutoring with Step Up For Students (SUFS) scholarships - available for students across ESA, UA, PEP, and FES programs.
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Personalized 1-on-1 private tutoring funded by Step Up scholarships - proven support for every learner.
Families provide 100s of positive reviews and referrals every month
*According to analysis with tutors, our software increases learning by 2.7x
Each academic tutor is carefully handpicked and trained by our education team.
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Engaging lessons tailored to each Step Up scholarship student, designed to strengthen skills and confidence.
Tutors are carefully selected and approved to meet Step Up program requirements.
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Parents get access to detailed reports from tutors after each lesson.
What are Step Up Scholarships and how do they fund private tutoring?
Step Up For Students is a Florida nonprofit that administers a suite of state-funded scholarship programs designed to give families more educational choice. These programs operate as Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which means scholarship funds are deposited into an online account that parents control rather than being tied strictly to tuition payments. Families can use the money for a variety of approved educational services, and private tutoring is one of the most widely used options because it directly supports individual student needs. The process is straightforward: once a student is awarded a scholarship, the funds become available in the Education Market Assistant (EMA) platform, where parents can pay approved providers directly or request reimbursement for eligible tutoring expenses. This system provides flexibility for families across Florida to invest in targeted instruction, whether that means supplementing schoolwork, supporting a homeschool curriculum, or addressing specific learning challenges.
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Madhu's daughter, Amrita, is a year 8 maths student with Tutero.
Kylie's daughter, Frankie, is year 7 English student with Tutero.
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His daughter, Aanya, is a year 4 maths student with Tutero.
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Her daughter, Olivia, is a year 10 maths student with Tutero.
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Which Step Up Scholarships can be used for tutoring?
Several Step Up programs allow families to put scholarship dollars toward tutoring, and each program serves a slightly different population. The Florida Tax Credit (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) help income-eligible students attend private schools, but when tuition and fees are covered, remaining funds can be redirected to tutoring support. The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is aimed at students with disabilities and provides even broader flexibility, covering tutoring, therapy, and other specialized services that address unique learning needs. The New Worlds Reading Scholarship, meanwhile, is focused on elementary students struggling with reading proficiency and allows families to access tutoring targeted at literacy and language skills. These programs ensure that tutoring is not just for homeschool families but also for private and public school students who require additional support outside of regular classroom hours.
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Absolutely fantastic service! Tutero has transformed my understanding of maths. My tutor Jesse is incredibly knowledgeable and patient. I couldn't have asked for a better experieance.
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Very impressed with everything. Took the time initially to understand my daughter’s neeads and my motivations for tutoring. Tutoring has been excellent and very affordable. Highly recommend.
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Emily has been such a great tutor for our daughter in year 6 for maths. She has gained confidence and a better understanding of math concepts with her organized and practical lessons!
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My son absolutely loves his weekly lessons with his Tutero tutor Tristan. To quote my son, he says that he is a 'really good teacher' and 'makes learning fun.’
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I cannot recommend Tutero enough. They have done an incredible job matching the tutor to my children’s unique learning styles. The progress they've made is remarkable.
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I've used Tutero for 4 months so far for my Year 9 son. It's seriously been nothing short of a miracle! My son does his tutoring without complaint and his grades have improved significantly.
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Connect your child with a tutor who’s expertly matched to their unique needs from a pool of 500+ top educators.
Curriculum-aligned lessons designed to boost your child’s confidence and achievement in school.
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Identify and bridge learning gaps with precision through personalized assessments and targeted tutoring.
Build confidence and mastery in math across all levels with expert-led support tailored for success.
Empower your homeschooling journey with flexible, standards-aligned teaching.
Enhance literacy skills and fill knowledge gaps with dedicated English tutoring and tailored lessons.
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Engage with science through customized tutoring from our carefully selected pool of top teachers.
Boost test scores with targeted gap analysis and strategic preparation, tailored to exam success.
Strengthen foundational skills in core subjects with diagnostic-based support tailored to young learners.
What tutoring services are covered under Step Up Scholarships?
Step Up scholarship funds can be applied to a wide range of tutoring services, which gives families the ability to personalize learning for their child. Core academic subjects such as math, English, science, and social studies are always eligible, ensuring that students can build mastery where it matters most. Families of students with unique abilities can also access specialized programs, such as structured literacy interventions, math remediation, or subject-specific strategies that address their child’s individual challenges. Online tutoring is fully supported under the program, offering flexibility for families in rural areas or those balancing busy schedules. In addition, enrichment and test preparation services are covered, giving students a chance to prepare for advanced coursework, high school exit exams, or college entrance tests. This breadth of coverage ensures that scholarship funds can be directed toward both immediate academic challenges and long-term educational goals.
Why choose private tutoring with Step Up ESA funding?
Private tutoring funded through Step Up ESA accounts offers families something that traditional classroom settings often cannot: highly personalized instruction that adapts to the pace and style of the individual learner. A student who has fallen behind in math can receive focused remediation to close gaps, while a gifted student can be challenged with enrichment beyond their grade level. For children with special needs, tutoring provides targeted interventions that address specific challenges with evidence-based strategies. Over time, tutoring not only improves grades but also builds self-confidence, independence, and a stronger attitude toward learning—outcomes that benefit students in every aspect of their academic journey.
How do families apply and start using ESA funds for tutoring?
Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship program but generally falls into three categories: household income, residency, and documented need. The FTC and FES-EO scholarships are primarily income-based, serving families who meet certain financial thresholds and who want access to private school or supplemental services. The FES-UA program requires documentation of a qualifying disability and is intended to provide broad educational support for students with unique abilities. The New Worlds Reading Scholarship is available to elementary students who score below proficiency benchmarks in reading. Across all programs, the common thread is that families must reside in Florida and meet the criteria set out by each scholarship, making these funds accessible to a wide range of students across the state.
What should parents consider when selecting a tutor with ESA funds?
Applying for Step Up Scholarships is managed online through the Step Up For Students website. Parents create an account, complete the application for the program that fits their child, and submit required documents such as proof of Florida residency, income information, or disability status depending on eligibility. Once the application is reviewed and approved, scholarship funds are deposited into an Education Savings Account. Families can then log in to the Education Market Assistant (EMA) portal, where they select approved tutoring providers and pay for services directly, or they can pay out of pocket and submit receipts for reimbursement. The process is designed to be user-friendly while still requiring accountability, giving parents both flexibility and oversight in how scholarship dollars are spent.
What should parents consider when selecting a tutor with ESA funds?
Choosing the right tutor is critical to making the most of Step Up funding. Parents should start by confirming that the tutor or tutoring organization meets Step Up’s credential requirements, which include state certifications, degrees in relevant subject areas, or recognition by approved literacy programs. Beyond credentials, it is important to assess whether the tutor’s experience aligns with the student’s needs—for example, a child with dyslexia may benefit from a tutor trained in Orton-Gillingham methods, while a high schooler preparing for SAT exams may require someone with test prep expertise. Families should also think carefully about budgeting scholarship funds over the school year, balancing immediate academic needs with long-term planning. Progress tracking and communication are equally important; tutors should provide feedback after each session so parents know their investment is producing results.
Unlock the Power of Step Up Tutoring
Step Up Scholarships give Florida families the tools to personalise education by funding private tutoring across multiple programs—FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, and the New Worlds Reading Scholarship. These ESAs make it possible to cover core academics, specialised support, online lessons, enrichment, and test prep, ensuring every child can get the help they need to thrive. For families ready to use their scholarship dollars effectively, Tutero provides expert 1-on-1 tutoring tailored to Step Up programs, making it simple to turn funding into real academic progress.
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