Paying for private school in Hillsborough: every source
10 programs and sources a Tampa-area family can use for private, church, independent, hybrid, homeschool and pre-K education — who qualifies, what each pays, and the dates that matter.
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO)
Every K-12 student in Hillsborough is eligible, whatever the household income. For 2026-27 it pays $8,429 (K-3), $7,837 (4-8) or $7,644 (9-12) straight to a participating private school.
Who qualifies →Disability ESA · ~$10,000Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
A parent-directed account for Florida students from age 3 through grade 12 with a qualifying diagnosis or IEP. It can pay a private school, therapists, tutors, curriculum and technology.
Who qualifies →Homeschool ESA · ~$8,000Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida's education savings account for students learning outside a full-time private school — homeschool, hybrid campuses, microschools, tutoring and online courses.
Who qualifies →Free · Every 4-year-oldFlorida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K)
Every Florida child who turns 4 by September 1 gets a free pre-kindergarten year — 540 hours in the school year or 300 in summer — at participating private, church and center-based providers.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Ages 0-12School Readiness (Child Care Assistance)
Subsidized child care for working Hillsborough families, paid to participating centers, church programs and private schools.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Florida opted into the new federal scholarship tax credit in January 2026. Starting in 2027, taxpayers get a dollar-for-dollar federal credit for gifts to approved scholarship organizations, which fund scholarships for Florida students.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Assistance (Diocese of St. Petersburg)
Hillsborough's Catholic schools belong to the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Most combine the state scholarship with parish rates and school-based aid.
Who qualifies →Second Florida SFOAAA Scholarship Foundation
Florida's other approved scholarship funding organization. A family can apply for FTC/FES-EO through AAA instead of Step Up — same amounts, same schools.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based aid, sibling discounts, member rates and work-study at the school itself — usually the layer that closes the last gap.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private fund supporting families at participating church-run and community schools, intended to cover part of what remains after state scholarships.
Who qualifies →2026-27 deadlines
- Nov 15, 2026Final day for new families to apply for the 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
- Dec 15, 2026New 2026-27 students must accept or decline their award in EMA; Quarter 3 enrollment must be submitted and parent-approved
- Jan 1, 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program begins — Florida opted in, with Step Up as administrator
- Feb 1, 20272027-28 application season opens for renewing and new families
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for 2026-27 transfer students
- Apr 30, 20272027-28 renewal deadline for all programs and the PEP application deadline
Find out what your family qualifies for
A 2-minute funding check. A School Funding Advisor calls you back — no sales pitch, no obligation.