How can a Duval family pay for private school? Every funding source
11 programs and sources for private, church, independent, hybrid, homeschool and pre-K education in Duval County: who qualifies, what each pays and the dates that matter.
Last verified: October 2026Florida Private School Scholarship
Any Florida K-12 student can use it. Duval students are funded at $8,409 (K-3), $7,821 (4-8) or $7,629 (9-12) for 2026-27, paid to the private school.
Who qualifies →Disability account · $10,573 at levels 1-3Unique Abilities Scholarship
An account the parent directs, for Florida children from age 3 through grade 12 who have a qualifying diagnosis. Funds can go to a private school, therapists, tutors and other approved providers.
Who qualifies →Homeschool ESA · county awardPersonalized Education Program
A Step Up account for K-12 students who learn at home, in a co-op or in a part-time program. Duval funds it at the same $8,409 / $7,821 / $7,629 as the private school award.
Who qualifies →Free · Four-year-oldsVoluntary Prekindergarten
A child who is four on or before September 1 gets a free pre-K year with a participating provider: 540 hours over the school year, or 300 hours in a summer program.
Who qualifies →Income-based · WaitlistSchool Readiness
Child care help for working or studying Duval parents, paid to a participating provider and managed locally by the Early Learning Coalition of Duval.
Who qualifies →New · 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
Florida opted in on January 28, 2026. From 2027 taxpayers can direct part of their federal tax to a scholarship-granting organization, and Step Up plans to run Florida's program.
Who qualifies →Military · Flexible timingMilitary Family Access to the Florida Scholarships
Children of active-duty service members can apply for the Private School or PEP scholarship outside the usual window, and PCS orders can serve as proof of Florida residence.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Assistance
Catholic schools in Duval belong to the Diocese of St. Augustine. 17 appear in the state directory, all flagged for the Private School Scholarship, and the diocese runs a need-based assistance fund.
Who qualifies →Second Florida SFOAAA Scholarship Foundation, a second Florida scholarship organization
Step Up administers about 98% of Florida's scholarships; AAA Scholarship Foundation is the other approved organization a family can apply through for the Private School Scholarship.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based aid, sibling discounts and congregation-member rates at the school itself, usually the layer that closes the last gap after the state award.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private fund for families at participating partner church and community schools, intended to help with part of what remains after state scholarships.
Who qualifies →What are the 2026-27 deadlines for Duval families?
- Nov 15, 2026Cutoff for first-time 2026-27 applications to the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and FES-UA
- Dec 15, 2026New families must accept the award in EMA, and the school must submit Quarter 3 enrollment for parent approval
- Jan 1, 2027The federal scholarship tax credit begins its first year; Florida opted in and Step Up plans to run it through a new affiliate fund
- Jan 15, 2027A private-school student still not enrolled after the Quarter 3 deadline must be enrolled by this date to be considered for any 2026-27 funding
- Feb 1, 2027Expected opening of the 2027-28 application season (2026-27 opened Feb 1, 2026; Step Up has not yet posted 2027-28 dates)
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for transfer students in 2026-27
- Apr 15, 2027Last application date for military-dependent, foster-care and Hope Scholarship families who apply outside the standard window
- Apr 30, 2027Renewal deadline for last year's students, and the expected PEP application deadline for 2027-28 (the 2026-27 deadline was Apr 30, 2026)
| Kind of help | Who receives it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Pays the school | The school, each quarter | Private School Scholarship, diocesan aid |
| Pays the parent | A family-directed account | FES-UA, PEP |
| Pays a child care provider | The provider | VPK, School Readiness |
| Pays through donors | A scholarship organization | Federal credit (2027), partner fund |
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