What does Step Up fund a Palm Beach County child at in 2026-27?
Step Up funds a Palm Beach County child at $8,890 in K-3, $8,288 in grades 4-8 and $8,091 in grades 9-12 for the Private School Scholarship and PEP in 2026-27, and at $11,054, $10,452 and $10,255 for FES-UA at matrix levels 1-3.
The FES-UA matrix goes higher for students with greater needs: $22,439 at level 4 and $35,893 at level 5.
What is the 2026-27 calendar for Palm Beach County families?
New applicants for the Private School Scholarship and FES-UA must apply by November 15, 2026, and accept in EMA by December 15. Quarter 3 school enrollment is also due December 15, a student not enrolled by then must be enrolled by January 15, 2027, and Quarter 4 transfer enrollment closes February 15, 2027.
Funds reach Step Up from the state on quarterly dates: August 1 and September 1, 2026, then November 1, February 1 and April 1.
How many Palm Beach County schools participate?
In the October 28, 2026 directory, 127 of 171 Palm Beach private schools carry the FTC/FES-EO flag, 118 carry FES-UA and 16 carry PEP.
Every school listing shows all three flags.
How does money actually move?
Every payment travels through EMA, Step Up's account platform. The school enters the enrollment, the parent signs off, and funds follow on the quarterly calendar.
Funds arrive at Step Up before they are released, so a family that enrolls late may see the money later.
What does a Step Up award do, and what does it not do?
The table sets the options side by side so you can see where each one stops.
| It does | It does not |
|---|---|
| Pay a participating school on a quarterly schedule | Pay the family cash |
| Follow the student's county of residence | Follow the school's county |
| Require the parent to accept the award in EMA | Start automatically after the application |
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.