Understanding the Gardiner Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, and Requirements

Understanding the Gardiner Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, and Requirements

If you’re looking for a scholarship that can provide your child with a specialized education, the Gardiner Scholarship may be an option worth exploring. This Florida program aims to provide financial assistance to families of K-12 students with certain special needs, helping them receive an education that meets their unique needs. Let’s explore the eligibility requirements, benefits, and requirements of the Gardiner Scholarship in more detail.

Eligibility for Gardiner Scholarship

To qualify for the Gardiner Scholarship, families must meet the eligibility criteria established by the program. Typically, students must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• Down syndrome
• Cerebral palsy
• Sickle cell disease
• Spina bifida
• Muscular dystrophy
• Williams syndrome
• Phelan-McDermid syndrome
• Intellectual disability

Furthermore, students must be enrolled in a Florida private school that is registered with the Department of Education. Alternatively, students can participate in a home education program in Florida, if they meet the eligibility criteria. Finally, students must be between the ages of 3-22 and be a Florida resident.

Benefits of Gardiner Scholarship

The Gardiner Scholarship can provide a range of benefits to eligible students and their families, including:

• Tuition support: This scholarship can pay for tuition fees at a private school, home education program, eligible post-secondary education institution, or an eligible provider. This support can range from $10,000 to $18,000, depending on the student’s eligibility status.
• Specialized services and aids: The program can cover the costs of a wide range of specialized services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral services.
• Certain education savings accounts: Under the Gardiner Scholarship program, eligible students receive an education savings account, which can be used to cover school or program fees and other educational expenses.

Requirements of Gardiner Scholarship

To continue receiving Gardiner Scholarship benefits, students and their families must meet certain requirements. For example, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their chosen program or school, and families must submit detailed reports on how scholarship funds are being used. Additionally, students with intellectual disabilities must receive an annual assessment of their academic progress or vocational skills.

Conclusion

If your child has special needs and you’re looking for a way to finance a personalized education program, the Gardiner Scholarship could be a great option. By meeting the eligibility criteria, students can receive tuition support and other educational benefits – and by fulfilling the program requirements, they can continue receiving support throughout their academic journey. It’s never too early to start exploring your options, so consider taking the first step and learning more about the Gardiner Scholarship today.