When families relocating from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts start running the numbers on a move to Florida, they focus on the obvious: lower taxes, better weather, more space.
But there's one benefit most Northeast families completely miss — and for households with school-age children, it can be worth $7,500 per child, per year.
Florida's school choice program is one of the most expansive in the United States. And in 2026, nearly every family in the state qualifies for it.
Here's what it is, how it works, and why it matters for families considering a move to St. Johns County.
What Is Florida's School Choice Program?
In 2023, Florida expanded its school choice legislation under the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) program — making Florida one of the first states in the country to offer universal school choice regardless of household income.
That means this is not a program just for low-income families. It is not means-tested. Any Florida K–12 student is eligible — including families relocating from out of state the moment their child enrolls in Florida.
The program is administered by Step Up For Students, Florida's largest nonprofit scholarship funding organization.
How Much Is the Scholarship Worth?
For the 2025–2026 school year, the FES-EO scholarship is valued at approximately $7,380 per student — often rounded up to $7,500 in most planning conversations.
This funding follows the child — not the school district — meaning families can direct it toward:
- Private school tuition at a participating accredited school
- Homeschooling expenses including curriculum, tutoring, and materials
- Microschool or learning pod programs
- Therapeutic or specialized educational services for students with learning differences
- Dual enrollment college courses for eligible high school students
- Online learning programs approved under the scholarship
The scholarship is deposited into a Scholarship Funding Account (SFA) — essentially an education savings account that families manage directly through the Step Up For Students portal.
Who Qualifies?
As of 2025–2026, eligibility is broad:
Any Florida K–12 student who is not currently enrolled in a Florida public school — or who is transferring out of a public school — qualifies. New residents enrolling their children for the first time in Florida qualify immediately upon establishing residency.
There is no income cap. There is no academic performance requirement. There is no application lottery for most students.
The main requirement: your child must be a Florida resident and must not be simultaneously enrolled in a Florida public school receiving per-pupil funding.
What This Means for a Family of Three Kids
Run the math on a family relocating from New Jersey with three school-age children:
$7,380 × 3 children = $22,140 per year in education scholarship funding
That is money that can cover:
- Full or partial private school tuition at a quality participating school
- A fully customized homeschool curriculum with tutoring and enrichment
- A combination of private schooling and supplemental programs
For families who were already paying private school tuition in New Jersey — where private K–12 tuition commonly runs $15,000–$35,000 per child per year — this scholarship significantly changes the cost equation.
For families whose children attended public school in NJ and plan to continue in Florida's public system, the scholarship provides an optional alternative worth knowing about if their assigned school isn't the right fit.
But Wait — St. Johns County's Public Schools Are Already Exceptional
Here's what makes St. Johns County's school choice picture uniquely strong: families aren't choosing between a great school choice program and a great public school district. They have both.
St. Johns County School District is ranked #1 in Florida by the Florida Department of Education — a streak it has maintained for multiple consecutive years. Approximately 95% of schools hold an A or B rating. Graduation rates exceed 94%. Top high schools like Ponte Vedra High School and Allen D. Nease High School regularly send graduates to Ivy League and top-tier universities.
This means St. Johns County families have a genuinely rare combination:
Option A: Enroll in one of the best public school districts in the entire state of Florida — at no additional cost — in a district that rivals top-performing schools in NJ, NY, CT, and MA.
Option B: Use the FES-EO scholarship to attend a participating private school, microschool, or homeschool program — funded at up to $7,380 per child per year by the state.
Most families in St. Johns County choose Option A and are extremely satisfied. But the existence of Option B — funded, accessible, and universal — gives families a flexibility that no Northeast state currently offers at this scale.
How Does This Compare to New Jersey and New York?
Let's be direct.
New Jersey has no universal school choice program. NJ does have a limited Opportunity Scholarship Act that has faced ongoing legislative battles and remains far more restricted than Florida's program. New Jersey families who want private school pay full tuition — with no state scholarship offset — while also paying some of the highest property taxes in the country to fund a public school system they may or may not use.
New York similarly has no universal school choice program. New York City has a tax credit program for low-income families, but nothing approaching Florida's universal, per-pupil scholarship model.
Connecticut and Massachusetts have no equivalent universal school choice programs.
The contrast is stark: in Florida, the state sends education funding directly to families and lets them decide how to use it. In most Northeast states, education funding is locked inside the public system — and if the assigned school isn't the right fit, families pay again out of pocket for an alternative.
Participating Private Schools in the St. Johns County Area
St. Johns County and the surrounding Jacksonville metro area have a strong network of private schools participating in the FES-EO scholarship program. A partial list of participating school types in the area includes:
- Faith-based schools (Catholic, Christian, Jewish day school options)
- Classical and liberal arts academies
- Montessori programs
- College preparatory independents
- Specialized learning difference schools
- STEM-focused private academies
A full, searchable directory of participating schools is available at stepupforstudents.org — filterable by location, grade level, and school type.
How to Apply: The Short Version
The application process is straightforward:
- Step 1: Visit stepupforstudents.org and create a family account.
- Step 2: Complete the FES-EO application for your child. You will need proof of Florida residency — a utility bill, lease, or closing statement works.
- Step 3: Once approved, select a participating school or approved education provider.
- Step 4: Scholarship funds are deposited into your child's Scholarship Funding Account and disbursed directly to the approved provider.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. There is no single deadline, but applying early in the school year — or before you move — is recommended to ensure placement before the academic year begins.
For families buying a home in St. Johns County and planning a summer move, applying for the scholarship in the spring before your closing date is entirely feasible.
The Bigger Picture for Relocating Families
Florida's school choice program is not a replacement for a strong public school system. In St. Johns County, it doesn't need to be — the public schools are genuinely excellent.
What it is, instead, is one more layer of family financial benefit that doesn't exist in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts.
Add it to the full picture:
No state income tax — saving a $150K household $7,500–$11,000/year Property taxes 50–60% lower than NJ — saving $6,000–$9,000/year No inheritance or estate tax — protecting family wealth at death Lower healthcare premiums — saving a retired couple $2,000–$3,000/year And now: up to $7,380 per child per year in education scholarship funding for families who choose to use it
For a family with two school-age children earning $150,000 per year and owning a $600,000 home, the combined annual financial advantage of Florida versus New Jersey can reach $35,000–$40,000 per year — before touching the school choice benefit.
Add two scholarship-eligible children and that number climbs by another $14,760 per year.
That is a number worth taking seriously.
Questions About Schools, Scholarships, and St. Johns County Communities?
School zoning, scholarship eligibility, and the right community for your family's needs are all part of the relocation conversation I have with buyers every week. I know which St. Johns County communities put children in the strongest school zones — and how the school choice landscape intersects with your housing decision.
Call or text Gail DeMarco: 904-640-8000 St. Johns County Relocation and Family Specialist Serving Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, RiverTown, Palencia, St. Augustine, and all of St. Johns County, FL
Scholarship amounts are based on 2025–2026 FES-EO award levels as administered by Step Up For Students. Eligibility requirements and award amounts are subject to annual legislative review and may change. Always verify current program details at stepupforstudents.org before making enrollment decisions. This article is for informational purposes only.