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Public schools receive money from state government aid, as well as local contributions (primarily property taxes). Private schools can also receive federal and state funding. Private schools in Tampa FL primarily receive funding through state scholarships awarded to students that enroll in their programs. Schools have to do things such as report student test scores to the state in order to receive money from the scholarships they decide to accept.

Can every private school receive funding?

All private schools have the ability to receive federal or state funding. What money they receive depends on if the school wants to receive funding or not. Funding primarily comes from state scholarships tied to students that enroll into their programs. Families can apply for scholarships that are the best fit for them and their child. If they are given the scholarship (they can only receive one), they will be given an official award letter, which can be taken to any school that accepts funds from that scholarship.

Some common scholarships that private schools receive funding from include:

1. The Federal Tax Credit Scholarship: Companies in Florida can donate money to nonprofit Scholarship-Funding Organizations (SFOs). These companies get a tax write-off, and the donations give low-income families access to financial assistance if they would like their child to attend a school other than a public school.
2. The Hope Scholarship: Students that have been bullied, harassed, or victims of other violent acts in public school are eligible for this scholarship so that they can transfer to another public school, or enroll in private school.
3. Disability scholarships: Students with special needs, as well as siblings of students with special needs, are eligible for these types of scholarships.
4. Scholarships for reading programs
5. Scholarships for transportation
6. Scholarships for military families

Each private school determines what scholarships they will take and what scholarships they will not accept, as well as decide which students they will admit into their program that have those scholarships. Different schools in Tampa FL take different scholarships, so it is important to research which schools accept the scholarship your child has been awarded before applying for enrollment.
 

What do schools have to do to get funding?

Receiving state or federal funds typically comes with “red tape.” There may be reporting or testing that has to be done by the schools in order to receive funds. For example, within the Florida Administrative Code, it is required from schools to provide student standardized testing information in order to receive funds from state scholarships. Once a year, Bayshore Christian School is required to send test scores for grades 3 to 10 as a marker of their performance. This shows the state that the students are getting a legitimate education from their funds. 

Does receiving state and federal funds prohibit schools from teaching certain topics? 

As of right now, receiving funds from these scholarships does not affect what can and cannot be taught at private schools. If this were to change, independent schools, especially Christian and other religious schools, would not take the scholarships that affect what could be taught.

Private High Schools in Tampa

Bayshore Christian school is a Pre-K through 12 school that accepts certain scholarships from our students. If you are looking for a private high school in Tampa, we may be the school for you!

Contact us, today, if you have any additional questions about state or federal funding, or if you would like information on the scholarships that we accept.