VPK is not a public-school-only program. Many Hillsborough church preschools and private school pre-K classrooms are VPK providers, so the four-year-old year can be free at the same campus a family plans to use for elementary school.
Families apply for a Certificate of Eligibility through Florida's Family Portal and present it to the provider; the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County oversees local providers.
A child who finishes VPK at a private school can roll into kindergarten there on the $8,429 Hillsborough K-3 award.
How to stack it
Florida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K) can usually be combined with school-based tuition assistance and at least one other source on this site. Complete the funding check and an advisor will map the full stack for your child.