Every way to pay for private school in Pinellas
10 programs and sources for St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the rest of Pinellas: who qualifies, what each pays and the dates that matter.
Last verified: October 2026
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO)
Florida's universal school-choice award, often called a voucher. A Pinellas student is funded at $8,643 in grades K-3, $8,059 in grades 4-8 and $7,868 in grades 9-12 for 2026-27, paid to a participating private school.
Details →Disability account · Ages 3 to grade 12Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
An account the parent controls, open to Florida students who have a documented disability or an IEP. The balance can cover tuition, therapy sessions, tutors and curriculum and, unlike Florida's other programs, a computer.
Details →Home-directed learning accountPersonalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida's education savings account for students who are not enrolled full time in a school: home-directed learning, hybrids, microschools, tutoring and online courses, funded at the Pinellas award amounts.
Details →Free for every 4-year-oldFlorida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K)
Florida pays for one pre-kindergarten year for any child who has turned 4 by September 1, at participating private schools, church preschools and centers across Pinellas.
Details →Income-based · Birth to 12School Readiness (Child Care Assistance)
Partial child care scholarships for working Pinellas families with low to moderate incomes, administered in the county by the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County.
Details →New in 2027Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (2027)
A new federal tax credit for gifts to scholarship organizations begins in 2027. Florida opted in, and Step Up For Students plans to run it through a new nonprofit, the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund.
Details →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Aid (Diocese of St. Petersburg)
Pinellas Catholic schools belong to the Diocese of St. Petersburg. The diocese says school and diocesan financial assistance is available on an income basis, applied for through the local school, alongside the state scholarship.
Details →College credit · Grades 6-12Dual Enrollment at St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College lets eligible Pinellas private school and home-education students in grades 6-12 take college courses, through a Private School Agreement form handled by the school counselor.
Details →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based aid, sibling and member pricing and payment plans offered by the school itself, usually the layer that closes what the state award leaves.
Details →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private fund for families at participating church and community schools, meant to cover part of what is left after the state award and school aid. Terms are confirmed during your funding check.
Details →How many funding sources can a Pinellas family use?
This guide covers 10 sources, from the state award to school aid, and most families combine two or three of them.
Which ones apply depends on the child's grade, any diagnosis, the type of school and household income.
Which deadline comes next?
New 2026-27 applications for the Private School and Unique Abilities scholarships close November 15, 2026.
The full 2026-27 calendar is below.
What are the 2026-27 dates?
- Nov 15, 2026Cutoff for first-time 2026-27 applicants to the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
- Dec 15, 2026New 2026-27 award holders accept or decline in EMA; the school's Quarter 3 enrollment is also due
- Jan 15, 2027Students still not enrolled after the Quarter 3 cutoff must be enrolled by this date to be considered for 2026-27 money
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for transfer students
- Apr 15, 2027Late window Step Up lists for some Private School and PEP applicants; funding is not guaranteed
- Jun 30, 2027Last day 2026-27 scholarship funds can be spent; reimbursement requests are due July 31, 2027
See which Pinellas programs fit your child
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