TL;DR: November 15, 2026 closes the window for first-time 2026-27 applicants to the Private School Scholarship and the Unique Abilities Scholarship. A Pinellas K-3 student is funded at $8,643 this year. After applying, accept the award in EMA by December 15 and make sure the school reports the Quarter 3 enrollment by the same date. Today, October 30, is also the last day of the program-switching window before Quarter 3.
Who needs to act before November 15?
Any Pinellas family that wants state funding for the rest of this school year and has not yet applied. That includes families paying private tuition out of pocket right now, families thinking about a mid-year move from a public school, and families of children with a new diagnosis who want to use the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA).
Renewing families are not in this group; their window closed last spring. PEP, the homeschool account, also closed to new applicants on April 30, 2026. Step Up's deadline page lists a limited late window through April 15, 2027 for some Private School and PEP applicants, but funding is not guaranteed, so November 15 is the date to plan around.
What should be on the checklist?
- Choose the program. Most families apply for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO). A child with a documented disability or an IEP may be better served by FES-UA.
- Gather proof of Florida residency and, for FES-UA, the diagnosis documentation or IEP.
- Apply through Step Up For Students before the end of November 15.
- Confirm the school carries the state's flag. 113 of the 145 Pinellas private schools do; our directory shows which.
- Log in to EMA and accept the award no later than December 15.
- Ask the school to submit your child's enrollment for Quarter 3, then approve it in EMA when it appears.
What does the award pay in Pinellas this year?
| Grade band | Pinellas award, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten to grade 3 | $8,643 |
| Grades 4 to 8 | $8,059 |
| Grades 9 to 12 | $7,868 |
These are the Private School Scholarship amounts from Step Up's district table. Payments follow the quarterly schedule, so ask the school which quarter your child's first payment will cover. FES-UA amounts follow a separate matrix based on grade, county and services.
Which Pinellas schools take the award?
In the state file pulled October 28, 2026, 113 of the 145 private schools registered in the Pinellas district carry the Private School Scholarship flag. Some areas are especially straightforward: all 15 schools in Pinellas Park, Lealman and Kenneth City and all 12 in Largo and Seminole are flagged, as are all 14 Catholic schools in the county. North St. Petersburg is the exception, with only 6 of its 16 registered schools flagged.
For FES-UA, 111 Pinellas schools are on the participant list. The Pinellas file does not say which disabilities each school serves, so call before you apply and ask about class sizes, support staff and whether outside therapists can work with your child on campus. If you are weighing two schools, ask both for a written fee sheet so you can compare what you would owe after the award.
What happens after you apply?
The next dates arrive quickly. December 15 is both the acceptance deadline for new award holders and the Quarter 3 enrollment deadline for schools. A student not enrolled after that cutoff has until January 15, 2027 to be enrolled to be considered for 2026-27 money, and the Quarter 4 deadline for transfer students is February 15, 2027.
Money flows only after the parent approves each enrollment in EMA, so watch your email for approval requests. All 2026-27 funds have to be spent by June 30, 2027, and reimbursement requests are due by July 31, 2027. Our deadline page keeps the full list.
Private School Scholarship vs. Unique Abilities: which should you pick?
A student holds one or the other, not both. The Private School Scholarship pays a set county amount straight to the school. FES-UA puts money in an account the parent manages, which can pay a school, licensed therapists, credentialed tutors and curriculum. It is also the only Florida program that can buy a computer: once every two years under Step Up's FES-UA purchasing guide, with an earlier replacement only after pre-authorization.
If your child has a qualifying diagnosis and needs outside therapy, FES-UA is usually worth the extra paperwork. If not, the Private School Scholarship is the simpler route. Either way, the November 15 deadline is the same.
What if we miss the deadline?
Plan for 2027-28. Keep the school's admissions office informed, look at the school's own aid for the spring semester, and gather documents now so the next application goes in early. A Pinellas family can also use the award calculator to budget next year with this year's amounts as a guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who needs to act before November 15?
Any Pinellas family that wants 2026-27 state funding for private school and has not yet applied, including families paying tuition themselves today.
What does the award pay in Pinellas this year?
$8,643 for K-3, $8,059 for grades 4-8 and $7,868 for grades 9-12 under the Private School Scholarship.
What happens after you apply?
Accept the award in EMA and have the school report the Quarter 3 enrollment, both by December 15, 2026.
What if we miss the deadline?
Plan for the 2027-28 cycle and ask the school about its own aid for the rest of this year.
Related questions
- What are all the remaining 2026-27 dates?
- Is FES-UA right for my child?
- How do vouchers work in St. Pete?
Sources
- Step Up For Students: FAQs for 2026-27 scholarship deadlines and payment schedules
- Step Up For Students: 2026-27 scholarship amounts by district (FTC, FES-EO, PEP)
- Step Up For Students: FES-UA Purchasing Guide
Check what my family qualifies for →
