Florida School Choice
Florida school choice options offer families a range of educational options to support personalized learning for their children. Florida has one of the nation’s largest school choice ecosystems, serving over 1.3 million students across multiple programs. The state offers universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) providing $8,000–$10,000 annually for private school tuition and educational expenses, specialized programs for students with disabilities, tax-credit scholarships, and 732 charter schools serving over 406,000 students. Most scholarship programs are open to all K-12 students regardless of income. The federal tax credit scholarship program launches January 1, 2027 This federal program will allow donors to receive up to $1,700 federal tax credits for donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which will fund scholarships for families earning up to 300% of area median income.
Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) empowers families to make personalized education decisions for their children. This school choice program provides funding for K-12 students to cover private school tuition, fees, approved educational materials, and services. Recent enhancements have expanded eligibility criteria, removed financial restrictions, and increased flexibility in fund usage.
Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) empowers families of children with disabilities to access additional education options. The Florida school choice program allows parents to use Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for various educational expenses. These expenses include private school tuition, homeschooling options, therapies, and tutoring.
The Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship Program is a school choice program which offers students who attended or who were assigned to attend failing public schools the option to choose a higher performing public school.
Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) / Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarships provides two options for private education scholarships. These options rely on business donations incentivized by tax credits, rather than automatic public funding and are managed by a non-profit Scholarship-Funding Organization (SFO). Students can attend private schools or receive transportation to public schools outside their district through Florida Tax Credit Scholarships (FTC), or families who wish to homeschool or provide customized education to their children can use the Personalized Education Program (PEP).
Hope Scholarship
The Hope Scholarship is for Florida public school students in grades K-12 who are bullied or are a victim of violence. The scholarship allows the student to transfer to another public school with capacity. Alternatively, it allows the student to receive a scholarship to enroll in an approved private school by applying for a Family Empowerment or Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. Families are encouraged to apply to these programs after reporting the incident through their student’s public school.
Charter Schools
Florida charter schools are public schools of choice that offer diverse education programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), arts-integrated, language immersion, career-focused academies, and other specialized educational approaches. They operate independently of school districts while remaining tuition-free.
Choosing the Right Program for Your Family
Florida’s extensive school choice ecosystem offers options for nearly every family situation:
Families Seeking Private School Tuition Assistance
Best Options: FTC (tax-credit funded ESA) or FES-EO (state-funded ESA). Both offer universal eligibility with average support of $8,000–$8,100 per year. FTC may fund more flexible expenses through an ESA format. Priority given to lower-income families but all families eligible.
Families with a Child Who Has a Documented Disability
Best Option: FES-UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities). Covers students ages 3–22 with qualifying disabilities. Provides higher average awards (~$10,000) and broad flexibility including therapies, private school, online programs, or customized services. Can fund postsecondary education at eligible Florida institutions.
Families Transitioning from Public School (Bullying or Safety Concerns)
Best Option: Hope Scholarship or FES-EO. Hope Scholarship is designed specifically for students who experienced bullying, harassment, or violence. Offers rapid access once the incident is reported and documented by the school (must apply within 15 days of reporting).
Families Interested in Homeschooling with Financial Support
Best Option: Personalized Education Program (PEP) via FTC. PEP is an ESA designed for families directing their own education. Parents choose curriculum and learning pathway; must submit annual learning plan and assessment results. Supports curriculum purchases, tutoring, part-time school enrollment, and online programs (~$8,100 annually).
Families Seeking Free Public Alternatives
Best Options: Charter schools (732 schools statewide, diverse academic models, 77% rated A or B) or district magnet/choice programs. Tuition-free with no application fees. Offer diverse academic and vocational pathways.
K–5 Students Struggling with Reading or Math
Best Option: New Worlds Reading Scholarship Accounts. Specifically designed for early intervention. $1,200 per year for tutoring, summer programs, and instructional materials for students with substantial reading/math deficiencies or dyslexia/dyscalculia characteristics.
Students from Lowest-Performing Public Schools
Best Option: Opportunity Scholarship Program. Offers transfer to higher-performing public schools or private school vouchers for students from “failing” schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a “scholarship” and an “education savings account” (ESA)?
A scholarship is the award itself; an ESA is the account vehicle. In Florida, most modern scholarships deposit funds into parent-controlled ESAs, allowing flexibility in how funds are spent (private school, tutoring, curriculum, online programs, etc.) rather than direct tuition payments only.
Do I have to be a Florida resident to use school choice programs?
Yes. All programs require that the student be a resident of Florida and eligible to enroll in a Florida public school.
If my family’s income is above the 185% poverty threshold, are we still eligible?
Yes, for most programs. As of March 2023, income restrictions were eliminated for FTC, FES-EO, and PEP. Your family receives lower priority than lower-income families, but you are eligible to apply.
Can I use a scholarship to homeschool my child?
Yes, through the Personalized Education Program (PEP), which is an ESA-funded option. Parents direct the education and receive funds (~$8,100) for curriculum, tutoring, and approved services. Annual submission of a student learning plan and assessment results is required.
Can scholarship funds be used for online school or virtual programs?
Yes, if the program is approved by the Florida Department of Education. Both FES-EO and FTC/PEP allow online tuition payments and related educational expenses.
What counts as an “approved educational expense”?
Approved expenses typically include: private school tuition and fees, tutoring by certified educators, curriculum and instructional materials, online education programs, educational therapy, standardized testing and college prep exams, part-time public or private school enrollment, and extracurricular activities that support academics. Some programs allow college tuition.
What expenses are NOT covered by scholarships?
Generally not covered: basic household goods, transportation (except for public school transfers under Hope), meals, school uniforms, extracurricular sports, and services provided free by public schools.
Can I move my child between schools while using a scholarship?
Yes, with limitations. If your child is using a private school scholarship, you have 30 days to enroll in a new private school. For public school transfers, contact your school district directly.
What happens if I don’t use all my scholarship funds?
Unused funds typically remain in the account for the following year (subject to program rules and account caps). Some programs, like New Worlds, require spending activity to maintain the account.
How long does the scholarship application process take?
Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks, depending on the program and completeness of your documentation. Renewing students may receive funding more quickly.
What documents do I need to apply?
Most programs require proof of Florida residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or government-issued ID) and, for some programs, income documentation. Requirements vary by program; visit your SFO’s website for specifics.
Are charter schools free?
Yes. Charter schools are public schools and do not charge tuition. They are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) the same as traditional public schools.
Is my child eligible for the Hope Scholarship if a bullying incident occurred last year?
Generally, Hope Scholarship applications must be initiated within 15 days of reporting an incident to school personnel. Consult with your school district or Step Up For Students about your specific circumstances.
Can my child with a disability use FES-UA if they are currently in public school?
Yes, but your child must leave public school full-time to receive FES-UA funds (with rare exceptions for specific contracted services). Consult with Step Up For Students about your situation.
If I apply for a scholarship and am not awarded, can I apply again next year?
Yes. Annual applications are required for renewal. New applicants can reapply in subsequent years.