Last verified: October 2026. Checked against Step Up For Students' 2026-27 award tables, handbooks and purchasing guides.
How do I get free VPK in Lee County?
Download a VPK Certificate of Eligibility from the state's Family Portal, then sign up with a participating provider: private schools, church preschools and centers. The school-year program is 540 hours; summer VPK is 300.
Who qualifies for School Readiness in Fort Myers?
Working or in-school parents who meet the income test, plus priority groups. The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida takes applications and pays participating providers.
Can my child stay at the same school after VPK?
Yes. A child finishing VPK at a private school can enter kindergarten there on the $8,779 Lee K-3 award if the school participates.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| Private School Scholarship: $8,001-$8,779, paid to a school | Not paid to parents, and not for computers |
| FES-UA: from $10,567, parent-directed | Not combinable with the standard award |
| PEP: county award for learning outside full-time school | Not a full-time online school or a computer budget |