Tuition Assistance
We believe enrollment in our school should not be limited to families who are able to pay full tuition. Our tuition assistance program enables us to assist deserving students in grades 1-12 who could not otherwise afford to attend. The tuition assistance program helps to achieve social and economic diversity within our school community. This goal is an integral and respected part of our school’s philosophy, operating budget, and fundraising objectives. The First Academy may not be able to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for each applicant, and frequently, the number of qualified applicants exceeds the tuition assistance resources of the school. Therefore, there is no guarantee that every qualified applicant will receive tuition assistance.
Tuition assistance is offered as a reduction of full tuition, which is determined through an analysis of family financial need. Student employment, academic merit scholarships, and athletic awards are not offered.
Tuition Assistance is limited for the 2026-2027 school year. Your online student application must be completed before applying for Financial Assistance. If you are a new family inquiring about tuition assistance, please contact admissions at 407-206-8602.
The First Academy uses a third-party company, FACTS Grant & Aid, to assess need. The Application cost is $40. Families who pay by credit card will incur a convenience fee charge from FACTS.
The FACTS Application can be started by either logging in with your current Family Portal account or creating an account for new families.
All tuition assistance applicants must apply for a Florida Department of Education Scholarship through Step Up for Students. Scholarship awards will be considered during the tuition assistance grant process. If a scholarship is received after the initial tuition assistance award is granted, the tuition assistance award will be reevaluated and adjusted. Please call the Business Office at 407-206-8758 if you have any questions.
The First Academy accepts several Florida Department of Education Scholarships, as outlined below.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Opportunities (FES-EO) and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) – Administered by Step Up For Students
The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program is designed to give more families access to private school education. According to the Step-Up for Students Website, scholarships are available to Florida resident students, regardless of household income, who are eligible to enroll in a TK-12 public school. This scholarship is accepted for students in TK-12th grade who are enrolled in The First Academy day program. To find out more information about the application process, please click this link. If you are currently receiving a scholarship, you will receive an email reminder from Step Up for your students when the application opens. If you are new to Step Up, you can go to their site and be added to their interest list, and will be notified when the application opens.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship is a scholarship administered through the Step Up for Students Organization. This scholarship is accepted for students in The First Academy day program. To find out more information about the Florida Tax Credit scholarship (FTC), please click this link.
The Family Empowerment Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) – Administered by Step Up For Students
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is different than other state scholarships in that it allows parents to personalize the education of their children with unique abilities by directing money toward a combination of programs and approved providers. These include schools, therapists, specialists, curriculum, technology – even a college savings account. For information about qualification requirements and to apply for this scholarship, click this link.
The Personalized Education Program (PEP) – Administered by Step Up For Students
The Personalized Education Program (PEP) is an education savings account (ESA) funded by the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. This scholarship is available to Florida residents who are not enrolled full-time in a public or private school, allowing them to access a portion of the per-pupil funding. At The First Academy, this scholarship is accepted for students enrolled in our Hybrid Home+School program who meet the state’s PEP requirements. To find out more information about the Personalized Education Program, please click this link.
Are you a current or past service member or a first responder? You may be eligible for additional scholarship opportunities through Folds of Honor. Please visit their website for more information on applying or contact the Business Office with additional questions.
Additional information on affordability options are outlined below.
529 Plan
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December of 2017, qualified distributions are now allowed of up to $10,000 per year for K-12 tuition at any private school. These plans were designed as a vehicle to fund a college education, and now but there are educational situations where using these funds can be beneficial. For example, perhaps your funding is running ahead of projections for college financing needs and won’t be needed for college or you may have a 529 plan intended for an older sibling that wasn’t used. K-12 private school tuition can be a great use of these funds!
Roth IRA
ROTH IRA contributions (not investment returns) can be distributed at any age without penalty. This can be a great way to fund private school tuition as the investment earnings keep growing after withdrawing the original contributions. You should never compromise your future financial security. If you determine that you don’t need to rely on these funds for retirement and you enact proper investment strategies, a Roth IRA can be a great way to help fund your private school education.
Coverdell Education Savings Account
Parents who meet certain income guidelines are eligible to contribute up to $2,000 per year to a Coverdell ESA. Contributions are made from your after-tax income and earnings on those contributions grow tax-free. Distributions from these accounts aren’t taxed if they are used for qualified education expenses such as private school tuition and fees, books, supplies, uniforms, and tutoring.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
If your employer offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, funds you deposit can be used toward eligible dependent care expenses. Since contributions to a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account are pre-tax, it can be a great way to save on your overall expenses. Eligible dependent care expenses include afterschool programs, nursery school, K-Prep 3 or 4 tuition, and even summer camps for dependent children under the age of 13. To find out how this might impact your personal situation, make sure to talk to your accountant or financial advisor.
Other Family Assistance
Grandparents and other family members may be willing to help support your student with the gift of tuition. Whether they contribute by directly paying a portion of your student’s tuition or by investing in one of the options outlined above, this can be an invaluable resource for the education of your student.
Tuition Payment Plans
Please review the following payment plans for specific deadlines, relatable service fees, and options. We have added the option in FACTS to make your tuition payments by credit card. Families who choose to pay tuition, incidentals, or lunch payments by credit card will incur a convenience fee charge from FACTS. Those who chose to pay through ACH from their bank account will continue to have no additional fee.
FACTS Tuition will bill the full tuition by invoice to be due by April 5. The invoiced amount will include a 1% discount. Payments can be made to FACTS by check, checking account or credit card. Credit card payments will have an additional convenience fee assessed. Payments are considered late on April 6 and the 1% discount will be removed.
Monthly payments will be withdrawn by FACTS Tuition from a bank account. The pay date is the 5th of each month. There is an annual service charge of $300 per student. Credit card payments will have an additional convenience fee assessed.
Tuition Refund Program
The purpose of the Tuition Refund Program is to allow partial refund/waiver of tuition owed under the annual tuition contract in the event of a student’s withdrawal. The program is available to students attending The First Academy at $350 per student, Hybrid Home+School (formerly The Classical School) at $200 per student, and Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) at $500 per student annually.
Tuition will be refunded for the reasons and at the amounts listed below:
Withdrawal for Medical Reasons……………..100% of unused tuition
Withdrawal for Non-Medical reasons…………60% of unused tuition
Dismissal from School………………………………50% of unused tuition
If the Tuition Refund Program for 2026-2027 is selected during the Enrollment Status Change Period (February 15 – February 25, 2026):
- Families who withdraw between February 26 – May 31 will be required to pay 25% of their tuition amount.
- Families who withdraw after June 1 will be required to pay 40% of their tuition amount.
- Families who withdraw on August 7 and thereafter owe through the academic quarter for time enrolled and the applicable percentage of unused tuition.
Medical
Includes disability or mental disorder certified by a licensed doctor that prevents enrollment at any school for the remainder of the current school year. Request for medical withdrawal must be received before any other withdrawal reason. A letter from a physician must be presented for approval.
Non-Medical
Voluntary withdrawal
Dismissal
Student dismissed from the school for academic or disciplinary reasons.
Election of the Tuition Refund Program can only be made during the enrollment change period. Families who choose not to participate in this program and then withdraw will be responsible for tuition. The enrollment deposit is never refundable.