Why Gardiner Scholarship

Gardiner Scholarships are a little-known but very impactful education opportunity for families of children with certain special needs in Florida. This in-depth guide aims to inform readers about all facets of the Gardiner Scholarship so families can make well-informed decisions.

What is the Gardiner Scholarship?

The Gardiner Scholarship is a school choice scholarship program for Florida students with certain special needs. It was established in 2014 through the Florida Legislature to provide families with more options to meet their child’s unique educational needs.

The scholarship is named after former Florida state Representative Erik Fresen, whose daughter, Gardiner, has autism. Rep. Fresen was a champion for expanding educational opportunities for students with special needs.

Eligible students can receive up to $10,000 annually, which can be used for a variety of approved expenses to customise each child’s learning experience. This gives parents control over their child’s education and empowers them to assemble a program that best suits their needs.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Gardiner Scholarship, students must meet three criteria:

1. Florida residency – The student must be a Florida resident.
2. Special needs diagnosis – The student must have one of the following special needs diagnoses:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Down syndrome
• Intellectual disabilities
• Spina bifida
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Rare diseases that affect patient populations of fewer than 200,000 individuals
• Traumatic brain injury
• Williams syndrome

3. Public school eligibility – The student must also be eligible to enroll in Florida’s K-12 public school system, either because they are currently enrolled or because they would be eligible to enroll if their parent chose the public school option.

Parents must submit documentation of their child’s diagnosis and Florida residency to verify eligibility when applying for the Gardiner Scholarship. The process is not overly complicated and aims to grant access to as many eligible families as possible.

Approved Uses of Funds

Once awarded a Gardiner Scholarship, the funds are deposited into a state-approved account for authorized education-related expenses. Parents have full control and flexibility in deciding how best to utilize the funds to meet their child’s unique needs. Some approved uses of funds include:

• Private school tuition and fees
• Curriculum, materials, or tutoring services
• Online learning programs and digital resources
• Therapies (speech, occupational, behavioural, etc.)
• Transportation fees (to approved programs and therapies)
• Postsecondary education programs
• Fees for nationally standardised assessments
• Educational services provided by a public school district

The funds can be used to customise a learning plan combining various approved services, programs, and providers based on each child’s Individualised Education Plan (IEP) or Individualised Family Support Plan (IFSP) goals. This person-centred approach gives families control over their child’s education in a way traditional public school programs cannot always offer.

Accountability and Restrictions

While providing flexible funding, the Gardiner Scholarship also has accountability measures to ensure funds are used appropriately:

• Approved providers: Services must be purchased from state-approved providers through independent verification of services.
• Unapproved purchases: The funds cannot be spent on unapproved items like food, lodging, or international travel. Annual audit checks guard against misuse.
• Testing requirements: Students must take a nationally standardised test each year, such as the Stanford Achievement Test, to allow progress monitoring.
• IEP/IFSP alignment: Funded services and goals must align with the child’s IEP or IFSP whenever applicable.
• Renewal criteria: Scholarships are renewed annually based on parent satisfaction and documented student progress. Funding stops if eligibility criteria are no longer met.

These accountability features aim to verify proper use of funding while still allowing flexibility tailored to individual needs. The oversight balance empowers informed choice without unnecessary restrictions.

Application Process

Applying for a Gardiner Scholarship is straightforward, with most of the process occurring online:

1. Eligibility verification – Parents submit documents verifying their child’s Florida residency, eligible diagnosis, and public school eligibility.
2. Online application – An application is submitted through the Step Up for Students website during open enrolment periods.
3. Award notification – Parents are notified via email if their child qualifies for an award. The annual amount depends on the approved statewide average of public school expenditures per student or $10,000, whichever is less.
4. Account setup – An Educational Savings Account is set up at an approved non-profit Sponsoring Organisation to manage scholarship funds.
5. Service enrolment – Parents can then enrol their child in approved programs and services, pay providers, and keep required documentation like receipts.

Most applications are processed within 45 days. Timely online status checks allow applicants to track the process. Qualified specialists are available to answer any questions by phone or email as well.

The Bottom Line

In summary, the Gardiner Scholarship offers eligible Florida families a personalised learning option and empowering choice to find services and programs tailored to their child’s unique needs. Some key takeaways:

• Annually renewed up to $10,000 for authorised special needs education expenses.
• Flexible use combines approved services from multiple providers.
• Easy application process with accountability for responsible use of funds.
• Gives parents control over customising their child’s learning experience.
• Expanding opportunity beyond traditional one-size-fits-all public education models.

For many students, the Gardiner Scholarship opens doors to specialised services that truly foster growth, independence, and happiness. Arming families with knowledge about this valuable resource can profoundly impact special needs students for years to come.

FAQs about the Gardiner Scholarship

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the Gardiner Scholarship program:

How long does a Gardiner Scholarship last?

Gardiner Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Parents must reapply each year by documenting continued eligibility and student progress. There is no lifetime cap – as long as eligibility requirements are met, students can continue receiving awards year after year.

Is there a waiting list for the Gardiner Scholarship?

No, there is no predefined cap on the number of Gardiner Scholarships awarded each year. Applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis during open enrolment periods as long as funds remain available. Students who meet eligibility requirements and apply on time will generally receive an award.

Can Gardiner funds be used for college expenses?

Yes, with some limitations. Funds can be used to pay for tuition, fees and textbooks at an eligible postsecondary program such as a state or community college. The postsecondary program must have a documented connection to that student’s IEP or transition plan and assist them in meeting identified education goals.

Can a student receive both a Gardiner Scholarship and other funding?

It depends. A student cannot receive both a Gardiner Scholarship and a Florida Tax Credit Scholarship or other full-tuition scholarship in the same year. However, they may still qualify for other need-based aid or limited support services from other programs like the local school district.

What happens if a student’s eligibility changes?

If a student receiving a Gardiner Scholarship loses eligibility partway through the year due to no longer meeting criteria, the unused portion of funds in their ESA will be directed back to the state. However, families can often continue using already-paid expenses for the remainder of that school year. Promptly notifying administrators of any status changes is important.

What should parents do if they have other questions?

For any other specific questions about the Gardiner Scholarship application process, eligibility, authorised expenses, or accounts, parents should contact the program administrator, Step Up For Students, directly. They have a dedicated customer service team available via phone or email who are trained to explain the details and help families through any part of the process.

Conclusion

The Gardiner Scholarship offers Florida families an opportunity to empower students with special needs through personalised academic and therapy options. By providing in-depth information on eligibility requirements, approved uses of funds, the application process, and accountability features, this guide aims to educate readers on this valuable educational resource.

Arming families with knowledge is key so that all eligible students can access the customised support, individualised services, and sense of empowerment that the Gardiner Scholarship makes possible. With innovative scholarships like this leading the way, the future looks brighter for special needs students to achieve success based on their own definition and on their own terms.