Military Families

K-12 Scholarship Programs

If you are a member of the United States Armed Forces living in Florida, your child may be eligible for either of the two branches of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.

The Education Options branch of the program (FES EO) provides the option for K-12 students to attend a participating private school. Military dependents are exempt from the income qualification and cap on student participation for the program.

The Unique Abilities branch (FES UA) provides families of the students with disabilities as young as 3 years old with access to a personal education savings account (ESA) for their student. An ESA can be used to fund items such as private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring, community college costs, higher education expenses and other approved customized learning services and materials. Eligible military dependents are not subject to the cap on student participation for the program.

To apply for either branch of the program, contact one of the approved Scholarship Funding Organizations directly.

Special Academic Programs

• Dependent children of active duty military personnel are given first preference for admission to special academic programs such as magnet schools, advanced studies programs, advanced placement, dual enrollment, Advanced International Certificate of Education, and International Baccalaureate programs, even if the program is being offered through a public school other than the school to which the student would generally be assigned. (Section 1003.05, Florida Statutes)
• The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment. See the list of schools that have received the designation here: Purple Star School of Distinction Designation
• Student Support Services for Military Families