Every funding source for Miami-Dade families, in one place
Florida runs the largest school choice program in the country. Here are all 10 ways a Miami-Dade family can pay for private, church, Jewish, independent, hybrid, homeschool and pre-K education — with who qualifies and when to apply.
Florida Private School Scholarship (FTC / FES-EO)
The big one. Every Florida K-12 student is eligible regardless of income. In Miami-Dade it pays $8,745 (K-3), $8,140 (4-8) or $7,942 (9-12) for 2026-27, directly to the private school.
Who qualifies →Disability ESA · ~$10,000Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA)
An education savings account for students age 3 through grade 12 with a qualifying diagnosis or IEP. Pays for tuition, therapies, tutoring, curriculum and more.
Who qualifies →Homeschool ESA · ~$8,000Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida's education savings account for families who direct their child's education outside a full-time private school — homeschool, hybrid, microschool, tutors, online courses.
Who qualifies →Free · Every 4-year-oldFlorida VPK (Free Voluntary Pre-K)
Every Florida 4-year-old gets a free pre-kindergarten year — 540 instructional hours during the school year or 300 in summer — at hundreds of private, church and independent providers in Miami-Dade.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Ages 0-12School Readiness (Child Care Assistance)
Miami-Dade's child care subsidy for working families, paid to participating private and church-run centers and schools.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Florida opted in to the new federal scholarship tax credit program on January 28, 2026. Beginning in 2027, donors receive a dollar-for-dollar federal credit for gifts to approved scholarship organizations, and Florida families receive the scholarships.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsArchdiocese of Miami Tuition Assistance
Need-based tuition assistance at the 60+ Archdiocese of Miami schools, layered on top of the state scholarship and parish support.
Who qualifies →Second Florida SFOAAA Scholarship Foundation
Florida's second state-approved scholarship funding organization. Families may apply for the FTC/FES-EO scholarship through AAA instead of Step Up.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Most Miami-Dade private schools have their own need-based aid, sibling discounts, church-member rates or work-study programs that stack with state scholarships.
Who qualifies →Partner fund · No income capEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
Our private partner is funding families enrolling in church-run and community schools across Miami-Dade. Designed to close the gap that remains after state scholarships.
Who qualifies →2026-27 deadlines
- Nov 15, 2026Last day for NEW families to apply for the 2026-27 Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
- Dec 15, 2026New students must accept or decline the scholarship in EMA; Quarter 3 enrollment deadline
- Feb 1, 20272027-28 applications open (renewals and new families) — renewals close April 30
- Feb 15, 2027Quarter 4 enrollment deadline for 2026-27 transfer students
- Apr 30, 2027PEP (homeschool-style ESA) application deadline for 2027-28; renewal deadline for all programs
- Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program launches; Florida has opted in and Step Up will administer
Find out what your family qualifies for
A 2-minute funding check. A School Funding Advisor calls you back — no sales pitch, no obligation.