If your child started the year in public school and you're now looking at private options, or you just moved to Tampa, there's still a path to state funding this school year. It closes soon. Step Up For Students accepts new applications for the 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) through November 15, 2026. After that, new families generally wait for the 2027-28 season, which opens February 1.
Here is how to use the next four weeks.
Week one: confirm the amount and the school
Know the number before you visit schools. For a Hillsborough student in 2026-27, the Private School Scholarship pays $8,429 in grades K-3, $7,837 in grades 4-8 and $7,644 in grades 9-12. Your county of residence decides the amount, not where the school is.
Next, make sure the school can actually receive the money. In the state's October 17, 2026 directory, 146 of Hillsborough's 203 registered private schools take FTC/FES-EO. Each school page on this site shows the state's participation flag. If a school you love isn't listed, ask whether it plans to join, or whether a different program (PEP or FES-UA) fits.
Week two: gather documents and apply
The application runs through Step Up's online system and EMA, its parent portal. Have these ready:
- Proof of Florida residency (a lease, utility bill or similar document in a parent's name).
- Your child's birth certificate or other proof of age.
- Household income documents if you want priority consideration. There's no income cap, but households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level go to the front of the line if demand exceeds funding.
- For FES-UA: the diagnosis from a qualified professional, or your child's current IEP.
Apply through one scholarship funding organization only. Most Hillsborough families use Step Up; AAA Scholarship Foundation is the other option and pays the same amounts.
Week three: accept the award and choose the school
Approval is not the finish line. A new student has to accept or decline the award in EMA by December 15, 2026. Then the school submits your child's enrollment, and you approve it in EMA. Payment follows quarterly. If any step is missing, the quarter isn't funded.
This is a good moment to ask the school three direct questions: What will I owe after the scholarship? Are registration, book or uniform fees billed separately? What other help do you offer — need-based aid, sibling or church-member rates?
Week four: plan for the gap and the calendar
At many church-run schools in East Tampa, Brandon and Plant City, the award covers most of tuition. At larger college-prep schools it covers a smaller share. Either way, write down the next dates:
- December 15, 2026: award acceptance and Quarter 3 enrollment deadline.
- February 15, 2027: Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for transfer students.
- February 1 – April 30, 2027: 2027-28 applications and renewals.
If your child has a learning difference
Consider FES-UA before you file. It averages about $10,000, it can pay therapists and tutors as well as tuition, and 143 Hillsborough private schools participate. A student holds either FES-UA or the standard award, not both, so pick deliberately. Our special needs guide walks through the categories.
If you miss November 15
It isn't the end of the road. Mark February 1, 2027 for the 2027-28 application. Meanwhile, ask schools about their own aid, and look at PEP for next year if a hybrid or home-based program interests you.
Not sure which program fits? The two-minute funding check sorts it out, and an advisor follows up with the deadlines that apply to your child.