Paying for private school in Palm Beach County: every funding source
9 sources of education money open to Palm Beach County households, whether the child attends a private, church, independent, hybrid, homeschool or pre-K program. Each page covers who is eligible, what it pays and when to act.
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO)
Any Florida K-12 student may use it, whatever the household earns. A Palm Beach County child is funded at $8,890 (K-3), $8,288 (4-8) or $8,091 (9-12) in 2026-27, paid to a participating private school.
Who qualifies →Disability ESA · county matrixUnique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
An account the parent controls, for Florida children from age 3 to grade 12 who have a qualifying diagnosis or IEP. A Palm Beach County child begins at $11,054 (K-3), $10,452 (4-8) or $10,255 (9-12) in 2026-27, and the money reaches therapists and tutors along with tuition.
Who qualifies →Homeschool ESAPersonalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida's education savings account for students who learn outside a full-time school: homeschool, hybrid programs, microschools and online courses. Palm Beach County was the state's second-largest PEP county in 2025-26.
Who qualifies →Free · every 4-year-oldFlorida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K)
A free pre-kindergarten year for every Florida child who turns four by September 1, available at participating private schools, church preschools and child care centers in Palm Beach County.
Who qualifies →Income-based · working familiesSchool Readiness (Child Care Assistance)
Subsidized child care for working or in-school Palm Beach County families, run locally by the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County.
Who qualifies →New · starts Jan 1, 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Florida opted into the federal education tax credit in January 2026. From January 1, 2027, taxpayers who give to approved scholarship organizations can claim a federal credit, and the money funds scholarships for eligible students.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Assistance (Diocese of Palm Beach)
Palm Beach County's Catholic schools belong to the Diocese of Palm Beach, which lists several tuition funds that individual schools award. Most families combine the state scholarship with school-level aid.
Who qualifies →Jewish day schoolsJewish Day School Tuition Assistance (Palm Beach County)
Palm Beach County has one of Florida's deepest Jewish day school networks, concentrated in Boca Raton. Families usually pair the state scholarship with aid from the school and the local Federation.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A privately held fund that can help families at participating partner church and community schools with part of the balance the state scholarship leaves. Terms are set out during your funding check, and no amount is promised.
Who qualifies →What are the 2026-27 scholarship deadlines for Palm Beach County?
Start with November 15, 2026, the cutoff for a new family to apply for the Private School Scholarship or FES-UA. Every other date is listed below.
- Nov 15, 2026Last day for a new family to apply for a 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) or Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA).
- Dec 15, 2026New 2026-27 students must accept the award in EMA; the school's Quarter 3 enrollment must also be submitted and approved by the parent.
- Jan 1, 2027The federal scholarship tax credit begins. Florida opted in on January 28, 2026 and Step Up For Students plans to administer it.
- Jan 15, 2027Any student still unenrolled once Quarter 3 has closed needs to be enrolled by this date to get 2026-27 money.
- Feb 1, 2027 (expected)The 2027-28 application season is expected to open; the 2026-27 season opened on February 1. Step Up had not posted 2027-28 dates when this page was verified.
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for 2026-27, which is the one that applies to transfer students.
- Apr 30, 2027 (expected)Renewal and PEP application deadline if 2027-28 follows the 2026-27 pattern; confirm with Step Up.
Find out what your family qualifies for
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