is based on the student’s
Matrix number and equal to
the amount the public school
would have received or the
amount of the private school’s
tuition and fees, whichever is
less. The scholarship may not
cover the full costs of private
school. Parents are responsible
for any tuition or fees above the
scholarship amount.
The Parents
may file intent to
participate in the
McKay Scholarship
Program on the www.
floridaschoolchoice.
org website by
clicking on the McKay Scholarships link
and then the link titled “Apply for a McKay
Scholarship” located on the quick navigation
bar on the left-hand side of the screen. Once
your student has been accepted in the McKay
scholarship, he/she is eligible to continue (unless
they return to public school).
Florida Gardiner Scholarship Program
(formerly known as PLSA) is an annual
scholarship that provides parents/guardians
of children with specific disabilities the
opportunity to meet the individual needs of
their eligible children. The name honors Florida
Senate President Andy Gardiner, who led the
legislative effort to create the program, and his
family (including his son with Down syndrome).
This scholarship depends on annual legislative
funding, so it is not automatically renewable.
The amount is approximately $10,000 a year
(based on what county you live in).
The Gardiner Scholarship is different than
other state scholarships in that it allows parents
to personalize the education of their children
by directing money toward a combination
of programs and approved providers. These
could include private school tuition, therapists,
specialists, curriculum, technology, or a college
savings account. To qualify, a student must
have one of the following disabilities: autism
spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down
Syndrome, an
intellectual
disability,
Phelan-
McDermid
syndrome,
Prader-Willi
syndrome, spina
bifida, muscular
dystrophy,
Williams
syndrome or a
high-risk child
as defined in s.
393.063(23)(a),
F.S.
Parents apply for the Gardiner Scholarship
through an eligible non-profit scholarship
funding organization that is administering the
program. http://www.fldoe.org/schools/schoolchoice/
k-12-scholarship-programs/sfo/.
Dr. Ilene Wilkins is the CEO of UCP of Central
Florida - an agency that provides a variety of
school choice options including Charter Schools
and Scholarship programs. Dr. Wilkins has served
as a national and statewide leader in the field of
disabilities and is currently the Chairman of the
Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for
Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities for Early
Steps.
Greater Orlando Edition — Volume XII, Issue III 7