Florida Administrative Code › 6 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION › 6A - State Board of Education › Chapter 6A-6 - SPECIAL PROGRAMS I › Section 6A-6.0952 - Family Empowerment Scholarship Program

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) Purpose. The Family Empowerment
				Scholarship (FES) Program is implemented by the Department of Education
				(Department) in collaboration with eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding
				organizations (SFOs), as required by Section
				1002.394, F.S., in an effective
				and equitable manner that maintains the integrity of the program, which was
				established to provide children of families in the state with educational
				options to achieve success in their education.
(2) Definitions. As used in this rule:
(a) Disability" is defined as stated in
				Section 1002.394(2)(d),
				F.S.
(b) "Eligible nonprofit
				scholarship-funding organization" means an eligible SFO that is approved
				pursuant to Section 1002.395(2)(f),
				F.S., may award Family Empowerment Scholarships and establish accounts for
				eligible students.
(c) "Eligible
				private school" means an eligible private school that complies with all
				requirements for private schools participating in state school choice
				scholarship programs, pursuant to Sections
				1002.40 and
				1002.421, F.S., and State Board
				of Education Rule 6A-6.03315, F.A.C.
(d) "Family Empowerment Scholarship for
				Educational Options" is the scholarship option for eligible students residing
				in Florida. Pursuant to Section
				1002.394(4)(a),
				F.S., the scholarship funds may be used for a variety of purposes, such as
				tuition and fees at an eligible private school, certain instructional
				materials, and fees for assessments.
(e) "Family Empowerment Scholarship for
				Students with Unique Abilities" is the scholarship option for eligible students
				with the disabilities described in Section
				1002.394(2)(d),
				F.S., and paragraph (2)(a) and subsection (4) of this rule. The scholarship
				funds may be used for a variety of purposes, such as certain instructional
				materials, therapy services, and tuition and fees as described in Section
				1002.394(4)(b),
				F.S.
(f) "Member of the United
				States Armed Forces" means a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,
				Marine Corps, or Space Force, including a Reservist.
(g) "Return to a public school" or "enrolls
				in a public school" means the enrollment of an FES student in a public school
				or public school program. A public school or public school program is one in
				which students are reported for funding through the Florida Education Finance
				Program. The following situations are not a return to public school:
1. Admission to a residential hospital for
				medical reasons;
2. Entry into a
				Department of Juvenile Justice detention center for a period of no more than
				twenty-one (21) consecutive days;
3. Entry into a public school for a period of
				less than thirty (30) days pursuant to placement by or while in the custody of
				the Department of Children and Families; or
4. Completion of dual enrollment or adult
				education courses that are not funded through the Florida Education Finance
				Program.