Can a military family in Jacksonville apply for the Florida scholarship after November 15?
Yes, dependents of active-duty service members can apply for the Private School or PEP scholarship at any point during the school year, and parents no longer need to call Step Up to open an application. For 2026-27 the exception application must be filed by April 15, 2027, documents are due by April 22, 2027, and the award must be accepted and the student enrolled through EMA by May 15, 2027.
That exception matters in Jacksonville, where Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Blount Island Command draw military families to Duval County.
How does a PCS family prove Florida residency for the scholarship?
An active-duty applicant without a Florida address uploads the PCS orders in the proof-of-residency section, and the address in the guardian profile must match the unit's address on the orders. After the family settles in Florida, it calls Step Up at (877) 735-7837 to update proof of residency; funds are held until that happens.
Renewal students living outside Florida send the orders and a Leave and Earnings Statement, plus either IRS Form 2058 (Domicile) or DFAS Form 702.
Which Jacksonville schools have a record of serving military families?
The Diocese of St. Augustine directs military families to Step Up for state funding and names a Friends of the Military program, and a 2024 Step Up story profiled St. Paul's Catholic School in Riverside as a state-designated Purple Star school with 23 military families enrolled at the time. Whether another school holds that designation today is something to ask the school directly.
The Navy School Liaison at NAS Jacksonville (904-778-2236) helps families compare public, private and DoD options; the office's page does not list specific private schools.
Can a Duval family combine Military Family Access to the Florida Scholarships with other funding?
Usually yes with school-based and diocesan aid, but a student holds only one Step Up scholarship at a time, so the combination is a layered plan and not two awards. Complete the funding check and an advisor maps the layers for your child.
| Question | It is | It is not |
|---|---|---|
| Can they apply late? | Yes, through April 15, 2027 for 2026-27 | Only until November 15 like other families |
| Do they need a Florida address first? | PCS orders can serve as proof | A Florida lease on day one |
| Is the amount different? | No, the county table applies | A higher or lower military rate |
| Does it fix tuition? | Pays the award toward tuition | Covers all private tuition |