Last verified: October 2026
What should an Orlando family count on first for private school tuition?
Start with the state award: $8,420 for K-3, $7,831 for grades 4-8 or $7,639 for grades 9-12 for an Orange County student in 2026-27, sent directly to a participating school.
Tuition in Orlando varies widely. Faith Christian Academy posts 2026-27 tuition of $14,350 for kindergarten through grade 5, so a K-3 student there would still owe $5,930 after the award and before aid, whereas a smaller church school might charge much closer to the award.
What closes the gap after the award?
School aid is next, followed by member, parish or sibling rates, then outside funds. Ask every school for the net price once the scholarship is applied.
As of January 1, 2027, the federal scholarship tax credit could add a layer for households at or below 300% of area median income, and the Edu Fund Partner Scholarship may assist at participating partner schools; its terms are settled during the funding check.
How do younger children fit into the plan?
A four-year-old can attend free through VPK at a participating provider, and School Readiness can subsidize child care for qualifying working parents via the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. A child who completes VPK at a private school can continue into kindergarten there on the K-3 award.
What if the family has a student who learns at home part of the week?
PEP, the homeschool education savings account, deposits the same county amount into a parent-directed account for a child who is not enrolled full-time anywhere. Its 2026-27 window has closed, so for this school year the realistic routes are the private-school scholarship or Unique Abilities.
What each funding layer covers
The table lays the options side by side.
| Layer | What it covers | What it does not cover |
|---|---|---|
| State award | Tuition and eligible fees at a participating school | Transportation, food and aftercare |
| School aid | A share of the balance left after the award | Costs the school does not discount |
| Federal credit (2027) | Possible additional scholarship dollars | Anything before January 1, 2027 |
Related questions
- What is left after the award at a typical school?
- How do I run my own numbers?
- Which dates matter this fall?
- Where do I start the funding check?
How do I start?
Complete the two-minute funding check and an advisor will call with the amounts and dates that apply to your family.