Paying for private school in Orange County: every source
A walk through 10 ways Orlando-area households pay for school or pre-K outside public school, with eligibility, typical payouts and the calendar for each.
Last verified: October 2026
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO)
What most people call the Florida voucher. For an Orange County K-12 student it is worth $8,420, $7,831 or $7,639 by grade band, and it goes to a participating private school.
Who qualifies →Disability ESA · from $9,803Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
An account directed by the parent for a child aged 3 through grade 12 who has a qualifying diagnosis or IEP. The Orange County base-tier award is $10,584, $9,995 or $9,803.
Who qualifies →Homeschool ESAPersonalized Education Program (PEP)
The Florida education savings account for children outside a full-time school: homeschoolers, part-week hybrid students, and families using tutors or online courses. It pays the same county amounts as the Private School Scholarship ($7,639 to $8,420 in Orange County).
Who qualifies →Free · Every 4-year-oldFlorida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K)
A free pre-kindergarten year belongs to every Florida child who turns 4 by September 1, delivered by participating providers that include many Orlando church preschools and private school pre-K classrooms.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Ages 0-12School Readiness (Child Care Assistance)
A child-care subsidy for working or studying parents, paid to participating centers, church programs and private schools across Orange County.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
From January 1, 2027, a taxpayer may claim a federal credit for donations to approved scholarship organizations. Florida opted in, and Step Up For Students is building the fund that will administer it.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Assistance (Diocese of Orlando)
By its own account the Diocese of Orlando operates 39 schools in eight of the nine counties it serves, and 12 Catholic schools appear in the Orange County state listing. Most pair the state scholarship with parish rates and aid.
Who qualifies →Second Florida SFOAAA Scholarship Foundation
The second scholarship funding organization approved in Florida. A household may apply for the Private School Scholarship through AAA rather than Step Up, for the same amounts at the same schools.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based aid, sibling discounts, member rates and payment plans that a school offers itself, which is typically the layer that closes whatever gap the state award leaves.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private fund for households at participating partner church and community schools, meant to cover part of the balance the state scholarship leaves.
Who qualifies →What are the 2026-27 scholarship deadlines for Orlando families?
Dates marked expected are projections from the previous calendar; the rest come directly from the posted Step Up schedule.
- Nov 15, 2026New-family application deadline for the 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
- Dec 15, 2026Deadline for new 2026-27 students to accept the award in EMA, for the school to enter Quarter 3 enrollment and for the parent to approve it
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit begins; Florida opted in and Step Up For Students is setting up the administering fund
- Jan 15, 2027Final enrollment date to be considered for any 2026-27 funding for a student not enrolled by the Quarter 3 deadline
- Feb 1, 2027 (expected)2027-28 application season: this year's window opened Feb 1, but Step Up had not posted 2027-28 dates as of Oct 28, 2026
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline, for transfer students previously funded at another private school
- Apr 30, 2027 (expected)Renewal and PEP application close in the 2026-27 pattern; 2026-27 PEP applications are already closed
See what your family qualifies for
Two minutes, five questions. A funding advisor calls you back to walk through the dollars and the dates, with no obligation.