What is the first source to count on when paying for private school in Palm Beach County?
The first source is the Florida Private School Scholarship, which pays $8,890 for K-3, $8,288 for grades 4-8 and $8,091 for grades 9-12 in Palm Beach County in 2026-27. At a smaller church-linked school that can cover a large share of tuition, and at a large independent campus it will cover much less.
Check the school's flag first: 127 of the county's 171 registered private schools participate.
What comes after the state award?
School-based aid comes next: need-based assistance, sibling discounts, church-member or parishioner pricing and employee rates. The Diocese of Palm Beach lists several funds that its Catholic schools award, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County lists scholarships for families who show need.
Ask each school three questions: do you accept the Florida scholarship, what do I owe after it is applied, and what other aid do you offer?
What does an illustrative funding stack look like in Palm Beach County?
An illustrative K-3 student at a church school charging $9,500 in Boynton Beach would owe $610 after the $8,890 state award, before any school aid. At a $27,000 independent K-8 campus in Palm Beach Gardens, the 4-8 award of $8,288 would leave about $18,712.
Both tuition figures are assumptions, not quotes. Florida private schools do not report tuition to the state.
How do younger children and teens fit in?
For a four-year-old, VPK covers a free pre-K year, and School Readiness can help with child care. For a teenager, the 9-12 award is $8,091, and dual enrollment can cut course costs at Palm Beach State College or Florida Atlantic University.
A family with a younger sibling can mix programs: a school-age child on the Private School Scholarship and a preschooler on VPK.
What does each layer of the stack cover, and what does it not?
The table sets the options side by side so you can see where each one stops.
| Layer | Covers / does not cover |
|---|---|
| State scholarship | Covers part of tuition and fees; does not cover tuition above the county amount |
| School aid | Covers part of the balance; set by each school, not guaranteed |
| Partner or community fund | May cover some of the remainder at participating schools; no amount is promised |
| Federal credit (2027) | Not available yet; details not published |
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.