Financial Assistance

Financial Aid Policy

An education from The Discovery School is an investment in your child’s future. We realize that education costs are a significant financial commitment and may be a challenge for some families. Discovery provides partial scholarships based on need.

Financial aid is available to current students and new applicants. All admission decisions are made without regard to financial aid. In order for your financial aid application to be considered, an application for admission must be on file at TDS. Discovery utilizes the SmartAid financial aid program. SmartAid provides an objective financial needs assessment directly to our administration. The application fee is $25.

Applications can be submitted online beginning in December. Partial scholarships are awarded, based on need, beginning in February/March and will be offered as part of the annual student contract process. Applications for financial aid submitted after the January 31 deadline may be considered if scholarship funds remain available.

How do I apply for financial aid?

All financial aid applicants must have a complete admissions application on file to be considered for financial aid. You may access the SmartAid application on line through our website. You must submit all financial documentation, including tax returns, to receive a final financial aid determination. All submissions are confidential and only reviewed by Discovery’s financial aid committee. Tax returns must be submitted and scholarships awards are contingent on tax returns submitted to SmartAid. 

Apply here

The Discovery School's SmartAid code is 14242.

Florida School Choice Scholarships

Discovery accepts Florida School Choice Scholarships through Step Up for Students, a state-approved, nonprofit scholarship funding organization that empowers families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children. For more information and how to apply, please visit StepUpForStudents.org.

Below are the scholarships Discovery welcomes.

Florida Tax Credit Scholarship & Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FTC & FES-EO) 

Available to Florida residents, regardless of household income, who are eligible to attend a K-12 public school.

• The scholarship will first pay for the cost of private school tuition and related fees or public school transportation.

• $7,800 average amount awarded for private school scholarships for the 2023-24 school year

Family Empowerment Scholarships for Unique Abilities (FES-UA; formerly Gardiner) 

• Available to students age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first, who have a specific diagnosis.

• This scholarship is delivered as an education savings account (ESA) that parents can direct toward a combination of programs and approved providers.

• $9,000 average award for an FES-UA scholarship.

• Funds may be used for tuition and fees for a private school (Kindergarten-8th grade only at Discovery), homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring and more.

Notice to parents enrolling students under the FES-UA scholarship: Please note that our school accommodates students with disabilities in accordance with the requirements under federal and local law. However, your child may not necessarily receive the types of accommodations or related services that your child may be entitled to receive at a public school, as public schools have different obligations under the IDEA. The IDEA does not apply to private schools. We are happy to have a conversation with you about the accommodations that your child may need and be entitled to at our school.

Please note that Step Up for Students funding is contingent upon State availability and legislation. Should the State modify the Step Up for Students program, Discovery is not responsible for making up the difference in educational costs. Families are welcome to apply for need-based financial assistance directly through the School. 

Wynne Scholarship

At The Discovery School, we value and celebrate people from all cultures and backgrounds. The Wynne Scholarship focuses on broadening the number of traditionally underrepresented groups at The Discovery School. Students who identify as minorities and are interested in attending the Discovery School may
qualify for this scholarship.

Wynne Scholarship Application

Financial Aid FAQ's