How much is a Florida school voucher worth in Palm Beach County in 2026-27?
A Palm Beach County student is funded at $8,890 in K-3, $8,288 in grades 4-8 and $8,091 in grades 9-12 under the Florida Private School Scholarship in 2026-27, with no income test. 127 of the county's 171 registered private schools participate.
Florida's program names are FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA and PEP, and the common label 'voucher' covers all of them loosely. What matters is which one fits the child.
Which program fits a child with a diagnosis, and which fits a homeschooler?
A child with a qualifying diagnosis or IEP fits the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), which for Palm Beach County residents starts at $11,054 in K-3, $10,452 in grades 4-8 and $10,255 in grades 9-12. A homeschooler or hybrid-school student fits PEP at the standard county amounts.
Each of the three is a different instrument. The table below compares them.
What is the deadline this fall?
November 15, 2026 is the last day for a new family to apply for a 2026-27 Private School Scholarship or FES-UA award, and acceptance in EMA is due by December 15, 2026.
Missing both does not end the road: the 2027-28 season is expected to open February 1, 2027. The Step Up calendar controls.
What does the voucher not pay for?
The scholarship does not pay tuition above the county award, transportation, or food and lodging. It also does not pay for aftercare or before-school care under the Private School Scholarship.
School aid, parish or community tuition help, and the federal credit starting in 2027 are the usual next layers.
How do the voucher, the ESA and the tax-credit scholarship differ in Florida?
The table sets the options side by side so you can see where each one stops.
| Program | How it works |
|---|---|
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | A payment from the state to a participating private school, set by county and grade |
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | A parent-directed account for students with a diagnosis or IEP, funded at a higher level |
| PEP | A parent-directed account for homeschool and hybrid students, funded at the standard county level |
| Federal credit (2027) | Donor tax credits that fund scholarships; not yet open for applications |
Related questions
What is the next step for my family?
Take the funding check, which runs about two minutes. An advisor then lists each program your household can use and the dates that apply to you.