If you're unable to access the phone number linked to your EMA account or you're not receiving your MFA code, you may request an MFA reset. Please note: only the Primary Parent listed on the account can request this reset. For security reasons, we’re unable to process MFA resets for secondary contacts or other family members.
If you're the Primary Parent and need help, feel free to call us directly so we can assist you. Reach us at 1 (877) 735-7837, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
There are a few common reasons why an order might not be approved. Here are the most frequent ones:
- Previously Purchased or Reimbursed Items
- iPad/Tablet or laptop already reimbursed within the past 24 months
- Item Restrictions or Limitations
- Multiple tablets listed (only one allowed every 24 months)
- Sales Tax Issues
- Items missing sales tax
- Additional sales tax charged incorrectly
- Documentation or Justification Required
- Incorrect Student ID submitted
- Items ordered more than 2 weeks ago may no longer be available
- Ineligible Expenses
- Dual DVD players
- Cotton thermal blankets
Here is how to invoice in EMA for your services. You can only invoice after a parent reserves funds for your services in their EMA account under Marketplace.
Step-by-Step Provider Invoice Guide
- Log in to EMA and go to the Billing section
- Click the Service Orders tab to view reserved orders
- After services are provided:
• Click the blue pen icon to enter service dates and provider info
• Click the green check to save
• If you can’t provide the service, click the red “X” to remove it - Saved orders move to the Service Invoicing tab
- Review details and click Invoice
• Confirm accuracy in the pop-up
• Click Yes to submit, or No to make changes - Go to the Reporting tab to track invoice status and export reports
Need more help? Watch our 3-minute video
Invoice Status and What It Means
Pending — Funds reserved; waiting for service to be rendered
In Process — Service completed; invoice submitted
Approved — Invoice accepted; payment pending
Paid — Payment issued
Deleted — Order removed before payment
Creating Invoice — Temporary status after submission — usually resolves in a few business days
How to Find a Provider in EMA
- Log in to your EMA account
- Click Marketplace on the left menu
- Choose Find Providers
- Select the student you’re shopping for
- Use filters or search by name, email, website, or location to find services. Just click on a provider’s name to see their services and locations. You’re welcome to reach out to them directly to make sure they’re the right fit for your student.
- Once ready, select the service, choose quantity, and click Add to Cart
- Go to your cart and click Reserve Funds
- You are all set! Now you can call the provider to schedule services
Watch this video to follow along in a few easy steps.
Here’s what each status in EMA means for your student’s application:
• Draft – Not yet submitted. Complete all sections, upload documents, and submit.
• Submitted – Received but not yet reviewed. Check back soon.
• Pending – Under review. No action needed — just check back later.
• On Hold – More information or documents are needed.
• Complete – Review is finished.
To check your student’s scholarship status:
Go to My Students in the left menu → Find your student → Find their tile where their status is displayed to the right of their chosen scholarship program.
To verify Florida residency, documents must:
- Be current (dated within two months of submission)
- Match the primary or secondary parent/guardian’s full name and physical street address on the application
Note: Renewal students (received funds in 2024–25) still need valid documentation
Submitting documentation
Submit 1 document from Column A or 2 different documents from Column B as shown on this page.
What “Current” Means
Documents must be:
- Dated within 30 days before or 30 days after the application submission date
- Exceptions: Annual or semi-annual documents (e.g., SSI, VA, insurance) must still reflect a valid timeframe
- “Submission date” = when you clicked Submit and your application entered Document Attached status
If You Don’t Have Standard Documents
You may submit a letter explaining your situation. The processing team will review and determine:
- If your document can be accepted
- Which column it qualifies under
Military Families
Active-Duty PCS to Florida (Unique Abilities, Private School, and PEP Eligible)
- Upload PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section
- Use the Florida unit address in your parent/guardian profile
Relocating out of Florida (Unique Abilities and PEP Renewal Only)
- Use the Florida base address from which you were relieved
- Upload PCS orders
- Upload either:
- Leave and Earnings Statement, or
- IRS Form 2058 (Domicile Declaration)
- Home of record or legal residence must still be Florida
Visit our Military Families page for more details.
Not Eligible
First-time applicants stationed outside Florida with Florida as legal domicile are not eligible. Military families must qualify for the scholarship as new families while living in Florida and can only relocate out of Florida in subsequent years.
If you had a Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), or PEP Scholarship and enrolled in a public school, your scholarship will end and the remaining funds will be returned to the state.
As a public-school student, you may be eligible for a Transportation Stipend.
You may withdraw from PEP at any time by logging into EMA and selecting “Decline.”
• If you already withdrew from Home Education after accepting PEP: you will need to reestablish your Home Education Program by sending a new Letter of Intent to your school district.
• If you did not withdraw from Home Education: declining PEP will simply end your PEP enrollment, and your Home Education Program with the district will remain in place.
No. Florida law allows only one active scholarship application per student at a time. If your child is denied, or if you decline an awarded scholarship, you may then submit an application for a different scholarship.
For more information, you can view program handbooks on the “Resources” tab of our website.
Yes. If you are an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida, you will be eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) and the PEP Scholarship before you make your move. You can apply with your newly assigned base address or new Florida residential address (if you have one) and upload your permanent change of station paperwork with your application.
Scholarships for VPK and Public Elementary School Students Needing Academic Support
Information for Current Scholarship Recipients
Important Update: Account Inactivity Policy (Effective July 1, 2025)
Action Required for Current Accounts: Starting July 1, 2025, all New Worlds Scholarship Accounts will begin a one-year period to track activity.
It is essential to have spending activity on your account between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. Accounts with no spending activity during this time will be closed, and any remaining funds will be returned to the state. Please ensure you use your scholarship funds for approved educational resources within this timeframe to avoid account closure.

Understanding the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts (Program Overview)
The New Worlds Scholarship Accounts program, managed by Step Up For Students, previously offered education savings accounts (ESAs) to VPK and K-5 public school students in Florida needing academic support in reading and math. The scholarship aimed to provide early intervention for students struggling with these foundational skills.
- Scholarship Value: For the 2024-25 school year, the scholarship was worth $1,200 per student.
- Previous Eligibility: Eligibility, expanded as of July 1, 2024, included students with substantial deficiencies in reading or math, those exhibiting characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia, or those who scored below a Level 3 on recent statewide English Language Arts or Mathematics assessments. VPK students could also qualify based on progress monitoring results in early literacy skills. English Language Learners received priority.
- Approved Uses: ESA funds can be used for various educational resources to improve reading or math skills, such as part-time tutoring, summer or after-school programs, and instructional materials, including books and technology.
- Accessing Services: Families can access pre-approved services and products through Step Up For Students' Education Market Assistant (EMA) marketplace, which allows direct payments to providers.
Application Process
No New Applications: Due to the lack of new funding for the 2025-26 school year, we are not currently accepting new applications for the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts.
Delivering a New World To You
New Worlds Reading is Florida’s FREE home reading program that mails eligible children a free book and activities each month during the school year through fifth grade. Families can choose what books they will receive when they apply, growing their home library based on their child’s interests to encourage a lifelong love of reading. The accompanying literacy resources and activities help children strengthen their skills and build reading confidence.
New Worlds Reading is administered by the UF Lastinger Center for Learning. Book titles are selected in partnership with Scholastic and approved by the Florida Department of Education. Books and materials are available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and braille.
To be eligible, students must be either in a VPK program and not making age-appropriate progress according to state assessments or in K-5 in a public or charter school and not yet reading on grade level.
Resources
We encourage you to reach out to the Department of Education or your local school district for other opportunities for your students. Step Up for Students does provide other scholarship options which can be found here.
Yes – you can pay the difference out of pocket.
If you would like to share about how the New Worlds Scholarship has positively impacted your child you can find and contact your legislator at https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/Find
The scholarship is worth $1,200 and can be used for the following:
- Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring provided by a person who holds a valid Florida educator’s certificate, a baccalaureate or graduate degree in Reading, Math, Elementary Education, English Education, or Math Education, an adjunct teaching certificate, or has demonstrated mastery of the subject area knowledge.
- Fees for summer education programs designed to improve reading or math skills.
- Fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading or math skills.
- Instructional materials, including desktop and laptop computers and tablets and curriculum related to reading or math.
Pre-approved services and products are available through Step Up For Students’ Education Market Assistant (EMA) marketplace where families can use their scholarship dollars directly without having to pay out of pocket.
Please Note: Starting in the '24-25 school year, families will no longer have to submit a reimbursement claim for educational expenses in compliance with Florida Statute.
Please refer to the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Handbook for more information.
The scholarship funds can be used for:
- Tuition and fees for part-time tutoring by qualified individuals.
- Fees for summer education programs designed to improve reading or math skills.
- Fees for after-school education programs designed to improve reading or math skills.
- Instructional materials, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets and curriculum related to reading or math.
*Preapproved services and products are available through Step Up For Students’ Education Market Assistant (EMA) marketplace.
No, due to the lack of new funding for the 2025-26 school year, new applications for the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts are not currently being accepted.
Please click here for the current New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Parent Handbook.
