PEP Family Handbook

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2026-27 PEP Family Handbook

Scholarship Overview

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, including the Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP), is a scholarship program that offers families the opportunity to customize their student’s learning via an education savings account.

An education savings account (ESA) allows public funds to be deposited into a government-authorized savings account for authorized uses. A parent or guardian may then use the funds to pay for allowable education-related expenses, such as tuition for an eligible home education instructional program, online learning programs, private tutoring, post-secondary expenses, and other approved services and materials.

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How Does the FTC-PEP Program Compare to Home Education?

FTC-PEP students are registered with a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO), while home education students are registered with their school district. Because FTC-PEP families are registered with an SFO, they do not need to submit a letter of intent to establish a home education program with their school district. If your student is awarded an FTC-PEP Scholarship and was previously in a home education program, you must end the home education status with the school district. If your student is currently enrolled full-time in a public or private school, you must withdraw your student before participating in the FTC-PEP Scholarship. For more information, please see the Scholarship Participation Requirements section of the handbook. 

Parents or guardians of FTC-PEP students must prepare and submit a student learning plan to their SFO each year. The student learning plan is a customized learning plan developed by a parent to guide instruction for his or her student and to identify the goods and services needed to address the academic needs of his or her student. For more information, please see the Student Learning Plan section of the handbook. 

FTC-PEP students must take a norm-referenced test annually, and the results must be submitted to the SFO. Home education students must be evaluated annually using one of five approved methods, and the results are submitted to their school district. For more information, please see Annual Assessment Requirement section of the handbook.

Florida law provides that FTC-PEP students have the same flexibility and opportunities afforded to home education program students under F.S. 1002.41(3)-(12), including:

• Participation in interscholastic extracurricular student activities
• Participation in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program
• Participation in dual enrollment programs
• Eligibility for admission to Florida College System institutions and state universities

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About Step Up For Students

Our Work

Step Up For Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) approved by the state of Florida to administer the FTC-PEP Scholarship program and other education choice programs. To explore the various programs administered by Step Up For Students and determine which one is the best fit for your family, we invite you to watch these helpful videos. 

Our Mission

Beyond administering scholarship programs, our mission is to empower families to access the best possible learning options for their children. Since 2002, we have worked to be deeply integrated in the community, highlighting innovation in education and sharing inspiring family stories. To learn more about our work, please visit our website.

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Eligibility Requirements for the FTC-PEP Scholarship

To qualify for the Florida Tax Credit Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP) Scholarship, your child must meet all the following requirements:

• Be age five (5) or older on or before September 1^st of the school year of the scholarship application
  • Students applying for the first time who are age five (5) on September 1^st of the application year must upload a valid birth certificate or non-expired passport confirming their age.
• Be younger than twenty-one (21) years old on or before  September 1^st of the year the application is submitted
• Be eligible to enroll in grades K-12 in a Florida public school.
• Be a Florida resident
  • Military exception: Your child may also qualify if they are a dependent of an active-duty U.S. military member with PCS orders to Florida.
  • Military exception: A renewing FTC-PEP student may also qualify if their parent or guardian is stationed outside of Florida but maintains Florida as their home of record.

Applying For a Scholarship Timeline

The table below outlines when new and renewal applicants must submit their applications:

Type of Student	Application Period
Renewal Student	February 1 to April 30, 2026
New Student	February 1 to April 30, 2026

Application Deadline Exceptions

Florida law allows certain categories of students to be excluded from the standard application deadline.

Please note that exceptions from the application deadline do not automatically guarantee an award and the application may go into a pending review status. Parents and guardians with these exceptions who are applying for a scholarship outside of the application season will need to call Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 to have an application opened for their student.

Eligible application deadline exceptions include:  

• Dependents of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces 
• Students in foster care or out-of-home care 

The following documents are requested for the applicable deadline exceptions:  

• Active-Duty Military Status: Dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces are exempt from the scholarship application deadline and can apply for a scholarship at any time. To provide proof of the active-duty military status of the parent or guardian, you must upload the Service Member’s Leave and Earnings Statement  for the  month the application was submitted. (Military families with PCS orders into Florida will also be asked for their Permanent Change of Station orders. Please see Proof of Residency for Active-Duty Military Families section for more information.) 
• Foster or Out-of-Home Status: Children in foster or out-of-home care are exempt from the scholarship deadline and can apply for a scholarship at any time. To provide proof of foster status, you must upload a copy of the Foster Placement Documentation, or other similar legal documentation dated within the last two calendar years under the Additional Documents section of the application.

Parents and guardians of students who qualify for a deadline exception and are applying for the 2026-2027 school year after the April 30, 2026 regular PEP deadline must:  

• Apply no later than April 15, 2027;  
• Submit required documentation no later than April 22, 2027; and  
• Accept award/submit SLP (and prior year test scores, if applicable) no later than May 14, 2027

For a student with a deadline exception to be eligible for scholarship payment, the following requirements must be met:  

• The student is awarded, has accepted, and completed all scholarship participation requirements by March 17, 2027, for Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 funding, and May 14, 2027, for Q4 only funding. Scholarship participation requirements are satisfied when the student's current year Student Learning Plan (SLP) and prior year test scores, if applicable, are submitted in EMA 

⚠️ Important: Students whose scholarship has been confirmed on one program during the school year cannot use their deadline exception status to switch to a different program later in the year when switching deadlines have passed. Deadline exceptions are only for first-time applicants to that program. To switch to another scholarship program once a student has already been funded for a scholarship program, please refer to the "Switching Between Scholarship Programs" section of this handbook. 

Creating Your EMA Account

Before you can apply, you will need to set up an account in EMA (Education Market Assistant). This is Step Up For Students’ secure online platform where you can manage everything related to your child’s scholarship.

With EMA, you can:

• Apply for the scholarship
• Upload required documents
• Track scholarship funds
• Make purchases through MyScholarShop
• Submit reimbursement requests
• Find service providers

How to Get Started

• Go to www.stepupforstudents.org and click the “Appy/Login” (Chrome or Firefox browser recommended)
• Select “Log In to EMA”
• You will be directed to the EMA (Education Market Assistant) home page
• Select “Sign Up” and follow prompts
• Watch this video tutorial or follow this step-by-step guide

⚠️ Important: When creating your account, you must use the phone number, physical address, and email address either the primary or secondary parent or guardian listed on the student’s account. Only these individuals may access your account, using someone else’s contact information is not allowed and may delay your application.

Entering Your Information

Every year, you will need to complete an application for your student through EMA.

• First-time applicants to Step Up For Students must create an EMA account.
• If you already have an EMA account (for example, because another child in your household has applied for the same or a different scholarship) do not create a new account. Instead, log in to your existing account,
• Renewal applicants must log in to their existing EMA account to submit a renewal application.

👉 What you will need to do in EMA

1. Log in to your EMA account
2. Fill out the application form.
3. Upload required documentation (proof of age, Florida residency)
4. Review and sign the Sworn Compliance Statement and Terms & Conditions.
5. Submit the application.

⚠️ Important:

When applying for the FTC-PEP Scholarship, please keep the following rules in mind:

• School Type Selection: On your scholarship application, choose “Florida Home School” or “PEP Hybrid Private School” as your expected school type.
• One Program at a Time: You cannot apply for FTC-PEP and another scholarship program (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, or Transportation Stipend) for the same student at the same time.
• One Parent or Guardian Account: Each student can only be linked to a single parent or guardian account.
  • If a student appears on multiple accounts, it may delay application processing or funding.
  • If guardianship changes or a parent passes away, please contact the Customer Engagement Center to make necessary changes.
• Schools and Providers Cannot Apply on your behalf: Schools and providers cannot request or use your EMA login credentials. Allowing another party, including a provider or school representative, to access or manage your EMA account is prohibited and doing so could result in the loss of the scholarship. 
• Use Your Own Information: Parents or guardians must use their own phone number, physical address, and email address in their guardian profile.

Uploading Required Documentation

To complete your application, you’ll need to upload documents that confirm your child’s eligibility.

👉 What you will need:

• Proof of Age
• Proof of Florida residency
• Social Security Number

If you or your student do not have a Social Security number, leave this field blank. Please note that FES-EO and FES-UA scholarships require a Social Security number.

This checklist gives you the full list of documents for new and renewal applications so you can be sure nothing is missing.

Please refer to this video for questions on requirements or how to upload files as well as practical tips regarding documentation

⚠️ Important: You must submit any extra or missing documents needed for your application by May 20, 2026.

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Proof of Residency for Active-Duty Military Families

Students who are dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces may have different documentation needs for Proof of Residency.

Military Living in Florida

If your military family currently resides in Florida—whether you areapplying for the first time or renewing, you will need to provide proof of residency documentation from the Proof of Florida Residency chart on our Scholarship Application Checklist.

Military Moving into Florida

Students who are dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to move into Florida can apply for a FTC-PEP scholarship as new students.

If a new student is moving to Florida, but has not yet established residency, the parent or guardian must:

• Upload the Leave and Earnings Statement dated within two months of when the application was submitted and PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section of the scholarship application.
• Be sure the physical address in their guardian profile matches the newly assigned Florida unit address on the PCS orders they submit.

After you have established residency in Florida, update both your physical and mailing addresses in the guardian profile and submit the new Florida Proof of Residency documents.

Military Moving out of or Living outside of Florida

Students who are dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to move out of Florida after living in Florida during their first year on the FTC-PEP scholarship can apply for a FTC-PEP scholarship as renewal students.

These families must:

• Upload the Leave and Earnings Statement dated within two months of when the application was submitted demonstrating that Florida is their legal residence and PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section of the scholarship application.
• Complete a PCS Order Verification Request in EMA.
• After your PCS Order Verification Request is approved, you can list your out-of-state address as a Military Address. This lets you get reimbursed for items shipped there.

You can also visit our dedicated military family webpage for more information.

⚠️ Important: A parent or guardian with a legal domicile in Florida but who is currently on orders to another state is not eligible to apply for the scholarship for the first time.  Previous ties to Florida, such as having lived in the state or holding a past Florida identification card, are not sufficient for eligibility. Applicants must demonstrate current Florida residency at the time of application.

Submitting Your Application

Before submitting the application, parents and guardians should carefully review all the information they have entered for accuracy. Providing false or misleading information may result in a revocation of the scholarship and may be punishable as a crime.

To complete the submission, the parent or guardian must agree to the Terms and Conditions and sign the Sworn Compliance Statement, acknowledging you will follow all applicable Florida statutes, rules established by the Florida Department of Education, and Step Up For Students’ guidelines.

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Eligibility Notification

After the application has been submitted, Step Up For Students will notify the parent or guardian by email and on a rolling basis whether the student is eligible for the scholarship.

There may be instances when the student may need additional documentation to determine eligibility for the FTC-PEP scholarship. In this case, , Step Up For Students will place the application on hold and notify the parent or guardian by email. If the student is determined ineligible, the reason will be available on your EMA account.

Award Prioritization

Scholarship applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships will be awarded in this order of priority:

1. Students from households with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), or students in foster care or out-of-home care
2. Students from households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
3. Students from households with incomes above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level

Within each of the above income priority groups, scholarships are reviewed in the following order:

• Renewal Applicants: A renewing student is one who was funded for Quarter 4 for the same scholarship they are applying to in the current school year and whose award was not revoked in the prior school year. To maintain renewal status, PEP students must complete and submit their scholarship participation requirements, including the Student Learning Plan (SLP) and annual assessment. For more information, please see the Scholarship Participation Requirements section of the handbook.
• New Applicants: A new student is one who did not receive funding for Quarter 4 in the prior school year for the same scholarship they are applying to in the current school year or who did not meet the application and acceptance deadlines for renewal students.

No Priority

A parent or guardian may choose to decline to provide income documentation. To do so, the parent or guardian must select “YES” to opt out of providing income documentation within the scholarship application. The application will be processed without priority. For record-keeping purposes, the household will be reported as having an income greater than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Persons in family/household	100%	Priority 1 (<185%)	Priority 2 (186%–400%)
1	$15,960	$29,526	$63,840
2	$21,640	$40,034	$86,560
3	$27,320	$50,542	$109,280
4	$33,000	$61,050	$132,000
5	$38,680	$71,558	$154,720
6	$44,360	$82,066	$177,440
7	$50,040	$92,574	$200,160
8	$55,720	$103,082	$222,880
9	$61,400	$113,590	$245,600
10	$67,080	$124,098	$268,320
Each additional member	—	+$10,508	+$22,720

Household Members

To calculate the correct household size and establish application priority, all household members must be included in an application.

The application will prompt parents and guardians to add additional household members, if applicable. An additional household member is anyone residing at the same address who is not listed on the scholarship application as a student, parent, or guardian.

• If a household member is under the age of eighteen (18), they must be a dependent to be included as a household member on the application.
• If the household member is eighteen (18) years or older, employment information must be provided for this person if they share expenses or income.

Proof of Income

To be considered for application priority, the scholarship application must list all income sources for all household members 18 years or older.

Sources of income include:

• Paychecks
• Cash wages
• Self-employment or business income
• Unemployment benefits
• Social Security payments
• Income/disability for every household member (including children)
• Child support
• Interest or investment income

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Application Deadlines

For students renewing their FTC-PEP scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year

• By April 30, 2026: renewal students must have submitted their scholarship renewal application.
• By May 31, 2026: Parents and guardians of renewal students must have accepted or declined the scholarship

For students applying for a scholarship for the first time (new students) for the 2026-2027 school year:

• By April 30, 2026: new students must submit their initial scholarship application
• By May 31, 2026: parents and guardians of new students must accept or decline the scholarship.

All applications submitted or accepted after the renewal application deadline will have the same priority as new applications. 

If applications close, you may register here to receive updates about the 2027-2028 school year. 

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How To Accept the Scholarship

Upon receiving notification from Step Up For Students that the student is eligible, Florida law requires the parent or guardian to accept or decline the scholarship by a certain date.

For a step-by-step visual guide on how to accept or decline the scholarship, click here.

Timeline

The table below outlines when new and renewal applicants must accept or deny the scholarship by:

Type of Student	Decision Required By
Renewal Student	May 31, 2026
New Student	May 31, 2026

Process

The parent or guardian must log into their EMA account to accept the scholarship.

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Award Notification

After the scholarship has been accepted, Step Up For Students will notify the parent or guardian by email and on a rolling basis whether their student has been awarded a scholarship or if the scholarship program has reached capacity.

The table below outlines the dates for award notifications and acceptance decisions:

Award Notification	Ongoing basis
Required Award Acceptance or Denial for New and Renewal Applicants	May 31, 2026

For an overview of the award process, please watch this video.

Capacity Limitation

Each year, Florida law sets a maximum number of FTC–PEP scholarships that can be awarded. For the 2025–2026 school year, up to 100,000 students may receive the scholarship. The number of scholarships may grow by 40,000 each year until the cap is removed in the 2027–2028 school year.

What does this mean for families:

• Submit your application and required documents as early as possible.
• Applications may close before the published deadline if the program reaches capacity.

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Scholarship Participation Requirements

To participate in FTC-PEP and receive scholarship funding, all FTC-PEP families must:

AT TIME OF APPLICATION:

• Declare a grade level, which is used to determine eligibility and scholarship funding amounts.

BY MAY 31, 2026:

• Submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) annually in EMA. More information can be found under Student Learning Plans (SLPs)
• If enrolled in an approved FTC-PEP hybrid eligible private school option, detail in the student’s SLP how their learning time will be spent when they are not present on the school’s physical campus.
• Complete an annual assessment as a renewal student by taking a nationally norm-referenced assessment or statewide assessment under Florida Statute 1008.22 and provide those results to Step Up For Students before renewal for the next school year
  • More information can be found under Annual Assessment Requirement.

Student Learning Plans (SLPs)

A Student Learning Plan is a customized plan developed by parents or guardians and updated annually to guide instruction and address a student’s academic needs, including any remaining instructional time. Step Up For Students has created a Student Learning Plan template within the EMA platform.

Parents and guardians can choose various academic and personal learning priorities from the template, then rate the student’s progress. The SLP acts as a guide for educational planning, and it does not determine or limit what the parent or guardian can purchase with scholarship funds.

The Student Learning Plan can be located through the My Students tab in EMA or from the Parent and Guardian Dashboard through View Student and clicking the SLP Section. The SLP must be submitted in order to receive scholarship funding. The parent or guardian must develop this customized learning plan to guide instruction for their student and address the services needed to fulfill their child’s academic needs. It does not determine or limit what the parent or guardian can purchase with scholarship funds.

To be eligible for funding for the 2026-27 school year, a student's SLP must be submitted in EMA by May 31, 2026.

For a step-by-step tutorial on how to create and update your Student Learning Plan, please watch this video.

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Enrollment Requirements After Being Awarded

Once awarded a scholarship, parents and guardians should print the notice for their records.  FTC–PEP students may:

• Enroll part-time at an eligible private school
• Enroll full-time only if attending a Hybrid eligible private school

⚠️ Note: More details are available under Part-Time FTC-PEP Students and PEP Hybrid Eligible Private School Students.

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Full-Time Equivalent Crosscheck

A student cannot be enrolled  on a full-time basis in a public school while receiving scholarship funds.

Florida law requires the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) to verify that a scholarship student is not also enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis. This process is  called the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Crosscheck.

What is “FTE”?

FTE stands for Full Time Equivalent. It is the term public schools use to measure student attendance for state funding. The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Crosscheck is a process the state uses to confirm your student is eligible to receive the scholarship.

Where does the Crosscheck apply?

The crosscheck simply verifies that your student is not being counted for funding at any of the following:

• Florida public schools
• Charter schools
• Florida Virtual School (unless you are paying for the enrollment privately)

For more information, please visit our crosscheck information page.

If the crosscheck shows your student is still listed as being enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis, the student’s scholarship account cannot be funded. When this happens, you will see an Action Needed message in EMA. You will be required to upload documentation to verify your student is not enrolled in public school. Once the documentation is verified, your student’s account may be considered for funding.

Submitting Required Documentation for FTE Crosscheck

Approved documentation includes:

• The Standard Withdrawal Form
• A letter or email from the student's assigned school district stating the student is not enrolled as a full‑time public school student.
• A letter or email from the student's assigned public school or selected charter school stating the student is not enrolled as a full‑time public school student.

If your student was never enrolled in a public school, please use the second or third option mentioned above.  

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Public School Enrollment Prohibition

A student cannot be enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis at the same time they are receiving and using scholarship funds. Parents and guardians should ensure proper public school withdrawal. To do this, you may request that the district or charter school complete the Standard Withdrawal Form for Students Entering K-12 Scholarships (Form IEPC-SWF) in accordance with Fla. Admin. Code R. 6A-6.0952.

⚠️ Important: Public School Enrollment Rules

• Your child cannot be enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis and receive FTC-PEP funds at the same time. This would count as “double funding” under state law.
• You can still usepublic school services (such as individual classes or activities), but you must contract with the school for those services and pay either out of pocket or with scholarship funds.
• If your child utilizes public school classes or services, be sure the school reports them as privately paying. If the school incorrectly reports your child as a full-time public-school enrollee, they could lose their scholarship.

Florida public schools include:

• A charter school
• A College-Preparatory Boarding Academy
• A developmental research or laboratory school
• Early Steps Extended Option
• Florida Virtual School or any other online public school as a non-private-pay student
• The SEED School of Miami
• The Florida Scholars Academy
• The Florida School For The Deaf and The Blind
• Any other Florida public school

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Grade Level Changes

A parent or guardian may submit a grade level change request at any time; however, after the Department of Education assigns the funding award, any subsequent changes to grade level or county of residence will not result in any change to the funding award.

Submitting Required Documentation for Grade Level Change

Approved documentation includes:

• A report card
• School enrollment information
• Assessment results
• Portfolio review documentation

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Receiving Your Scholarship Funds

Funding for FTC-PEP Scholarships comes from tax credit funds raised from corporate donors by Step Up For Students.

How Scholarship Funding Is Determined

Scholarship funding amounts are determined by the Florida Legislature annually. Families can refer to the 2026-2027 funding chart for an overview of scholarship amounts by county and grade level. To understand how the scholarship funding amount is determined, please see the information below. 

A student’s scholarship funding amount is based on two factors:

• The student’s grade level
• The student’s county of residence

The funding amount, based on the student’s grade level and county of residence will be determined by Quarter 1 funding, and any grade level or county changes made after Quarter 1 funding will not impact funding for that school year.

Funding Schedule

After Step Up For Students confirms the student's eligibility, the FTC-PEP Scholarship funds will be divided into four equal quarterly amounts and distributed according to the schedule outlined below. The funds will be credited to students' scholarship accounts within two weeks.

Quarter	Type of Scholarship Student	Step Up For Students Receives Funds
Quarter 1	Renewal	August 1*
Quarter 1	New	September 1*
Quarter 2	All	November 1
Quarter 3	All	February 1
Quarter 4	All	April 1

* There are two funding dates for the first quarter.

If a regularly scheduled deposit is delayed, supplemental funding may be provided at a later date.

⚠️ Important: The Student Learning Plan must be submitted by May 31, 2026, and remain complete for each funding cycle.

If the initial SLP is submitted after May 31, 2026, the student will be ineligible for funding for the school year.

Quarterly Calendar

Quarter	Dates
Quarter 1	July 1 — September 30
Quarter 2	October 1 — December 31
Quarter 3	January 1 — March 31
Quarter 4	April 1 — June 30

Scholarship Funding Requirements

To receive scholarship funding:

• Parents and guardians must accept or decline the scholarship by May 31,2026
• All FTC-PEP Scholarship students must annually update, complete, and submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) in EMA.
• FTC-PEP students must submit their annual assessment results in EMA before being renewed and receiving scholarship funding for the following school year.

Funding & Rollover & Balance Limits

Unspent scholarship funds may be rolled over from one school year to the next. These funds remain accessible and can be used for eligible expenses in future years, as long as the student continues to meet scholarship requirements.

 However, under Florida law, Step Up For Students cannot deposit additional funds into a student’s FTC-PEP Scholarship account if the scholarship account balance exceeds $24,000.

Accrued Interest

Florida law requires Step Up For Students to track and apply any interest accrued on that account toward the student’s scholarship balance. Interest will be added to a student’s account based on the quarter in which it was earned. Step Up For Students does not earn profit from this interest, nor does it use these funds for any other reason.

The table below shows the interest deposit schedule:

Interest Accrual Period	Deposit Date
July - September	October 31
October - December	January 31
January - March	April 30
April - June	July 31

Funding Errors and Adjustments

If excess funds are mistakenly deposited into a student’s account, Step Up For Students will recover the excess funds. Parents and guardians should monitor their student’s account carefully and should avoid spending funds that may have been deposited into the student’s account in error.

If a student switches scholarship programs mid-year, Step Up For Students may also recover excess funds associated with their previous scholarship program.

When a student or guardian account has an error that prevents funding, Step Up For Students will make three (3) attempts to contact the guardian to assist in the correction of the issue. After the third unsuccessful attempt, the student scholarship application will be actioned to a declined or withdrawn status for the school year at issue.

Funding Transfers Among Scholarship Funding Organizations

Students may only receive scholarship funding from one Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) at a time.

 A parent or guardian may choose to apply to a different SFO, but please note that FTC-PEP funds cannot be transferred to other SFOs.

If a student transfers to another scholarship program, any unused funds from their previous scholarship account will remain accessible and may continue to be spent on eligible expenses until the balance is exhausted. Funds from the scholarship account the student transferred from must be used in accordance with the rules of that scholarship program.

Students participating in the FTC scholarship may transfer between SFOs, but their scholarship funds will not transfer with them. FTC funds are privately raised by each SFO. 

The steps required to transfer depend on your situation, so please refer to the section below that applies to your student.

Student Applied with Another SFO and Has Not Been Funded

If the parent or guardian applied with a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) other than Step Up For Students, and the student has not yet been awarded a scholarship or received any funds, they must first decline the pending scholarship with the current SFO before applying through Step Up For Students.

Student Applied with Another SFO, Has Been Funded and Wants to Transfer

If the student has already been awarded a scholarship and received funds through another SFO, the parent or guardian must first submit a new application through Step Up For Students and receive eligibility confirmation. Once eligibility has been confirmed, the parent or guardian should then contact the current SFO to request a scholarship transfer to Step Up For Students.

Switching Between Scholarship Programs

Families may request to switch from one scholarship program to another once per school year.

Switching from a Private School scholarship (FTC/FESEO) or Unique Abilities scholarship (FES-UA) to the PEP scholarship must be completed by the April 30 application deadline for the Personalized Education Program.

⚠️ Important: If your student is presented for funding consideration and is found by the Florida Department of Education to be enrolled full-time in a Florida public school, you will forfeit your student’s scholarship for the entire year.

All switches are subject to Florida Department of Education approval, and total funding may not exceed the annual award amount for the new scholarship program.

Families should contact Step Up For Students before requesting a program switch to confirm eligibility, funding impact, and timing requirements.

Funding Discontinuation

No additional funds will be deposited into a student’s scholarship account if the student becomes ineligible. A student becomes ineligible if any of the following apply:

• The student is found to be enrolled in a public school.
• The student either graduates from high school
• The student turns 21 years old on or before September 1^st of the upcoming school year

 Funding Revocation

A student’s scholarship account will be closed and any remaining funds returned to the state if any of the following occurs:

• The Florida Department of Education Commissioner deems the student ineligible due to fraud or abuse
• Two consecutive fiscal years (July 1 – June 30) pass with no spending activity from the student’s account.

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How to Spend Your Scholarship Funds

Making Successful Purchases

Your child’s scholarship funds are flexible and can be used in a few different ways. The goal is to give you options to match your student’s needs.

There are several methods a parent or guardian can use to spend scholarship funds:

• Direct billing for services such as tutoring through Find Providers on EMA Marketplace
• Purchasing products directly through MyScholarShop on the EMA Marketplace
• Paying out of pocket for eligible expenses and requesting reimbursement

What is the EMA Marketplace?

Think of it as an online store and service finder. There are two options in the EMA Marketplace:

• MyScholarShop allows you to purchase eligible instructional materials and curriculum.
• Find Providers allows you to purchase services, such as tutoring, from pre-approved vendors.

⚠️ Before you spend the funds, check these two things:

• Eligibility of the expense
  • Look at the Purchasing Guide or Appendix A to confirm the item or service is allowed.
  • It is important to note that items or services approved in the past may not be approved currently.
• Available Balance
  • Check your student’s account in EMA to confirm they have sufficient funds. Reimbursements cannot be approved for amounts that are higher than your available balance.

⚠️ Important: All purchases and reimbursements must follow Florida law, Florida Department of Education rules, and Step Up For Students’ internal policies and procedures. Step Up For Students reviews every request to make sure it meets those requirements.

Eligible Expenses

Scholarship funds must be used for eligible expenses that meet the individual educational needs of the scholarship student.

For a comprehensive list and detailed guidance on eligible expenses, please consult the Purchasing Guide. For a summary chart of eligible expenses and payment types, please refer to Appendix A of this handbook.

The following categories of items and services are eligible expenses:

• Instructional materials
• Curriculum and curriculum materials
• Tuition and fees at an eligible private school
  • For part-time enrollment
  • For a hybrid eligible private school
• Home education instructional program
• At an eligible postsecondary institution, including those participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
  • For dual enrollment
  • For a full-time private tutoring program
  • At an approved online or virtual provider
  • As a private-pay student for Florida Virtual School
  • At an FLDOE approved pre-apprenticeship program
• Standardized testing fees, including test proctoring and administration
• Contracted services provided by a public school or school district
• Part-time tutoring and Choice Navigator services

⚠️ Note: For purposes of the scholarship program, a home education instructional program as an authorized use of funds is different than a home education program as defined in Florida Statute 1002.01(1).

Out-of-State Expenses

Some expenses outside of Florida may must me specific criteria.

Activities and Field Trips

• Physical Education (P.E.) activities outside of Florida, including:
  • Dance lessons
  • Gym and fitness memberships, class passes, or on-demand fitness classes
  • Sports lessons, team participation fees, or stand-alone athletic event fees
• Field trips outside of Florida, including:
  • Cultural programming eventsMuseum admission and membershipsMuseum or library membershipsState and National Park admissionTicketed events (such as plays, musicals, or orchestral performances)
  • Zoo and aquarium admission, memberships and programs

These activities and field trips require pre-authorization before reimbursement.

Exception for Military Families

Approved military families living outside of Florida do not need pre-authorization for out-of-state activities and field trips. They may submit reimbursement requests directly with the required documentation.

⚠️ Important:

Military families living outside of Florida may not use scholarship funds for tuition and fees at private schools located outside of Florida. Only private schools located in Florida are eligible to participate in the scholarship program. Eligible private schools are listed in the Florida Private Schools Directory.

Other Out-of-State Rules

• Service Providers: Services must be delivered in Florida with the only exception being credentialed providers who can work virtually (e.g., tutors, Choice Navigators), services must be delivered in Florida.
• Internet Services: In-home internet (including mobile hot-spots and streaming services) must be provided to the Florida residential address listed on the student’s scholarship application.

Purchases and Shipping

Purchases through MyScholarShop must be shipped to the mailing address on file for the scholarship account.

• MyScholarShop orders may not be shipped outside of Florida.
• Reimbursement purchases can be made out-of-state but must be shipped to a Florida address, including P.O. Boxes. Please note: the billing address is not the same as the shipping address.

Exception: Approved military families living out of state may be reimbursed for authorized purchases shipped out of state.

Shipping Guidelines

• MyScholarShop Purchases: All purchases made through MyScholarShop must be shipped to the Florida mailing address listed on the student’s scholarship account.
• Reimbursed Purchases: For purchases submitted for reimbursement, items must be shipped to either a Florida address or a Florida P.O. Box. Please note: the billing address is not the same as the shipping address.
• Shipping fees: All shipping types, including import/export duty, expedited, and overnight fees are eligible uses of scholarship funds and are reimbursable.
• Parents/guardians who are active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces and received permanent change of station orders to Florida or, at the time of renewal, whose home of record or state of legal residence is Florida may be reimbursed for authorized purchases shipped out of state.

Fees Guidelines

• Shipping fees: All shipping types, including import/export duty, expedited, and overnight fees are eligible uses of scholarship funds and are reimbursable.
• Credit card fees: Credit card fees are reimbursable with the exception of credit card fees added to a private school tuition and fees invoice.

Pre-Authorization Requests

Pre-authorization requests can be submitted for expenses planned in the future. Once a request is approved, it can be used to submit a reimbursement or to make a MyScholarShop purchase.

Payment method information must be kept up to date in EMA to complete a pre-authorization.

Include detailed information about the item or service requested for pre-authorization, along with any supporting documents for the purchase.

If a pre-authorization request is approved, the item or service on the proof of purchase must match the approved pre-authorization; otherwise, the request may be denied.

If the pre-authorization request is put on hold, log into EMA to see the reason why it was put on hold, provide the required information or documentation, and re-submit the pre-authorization request.

If the pre-authorization request is denied, the reason for the denial will be listed in EMA. Denied pre-authorization requests may not be appealed, so no further action may be taken.

Parents and guardians should allow up to sixty (60) days for pre-authorization requests to be reviewed and processed after all required documentation has been submitted. The status of pre-authorization requests can be monitored in EMA. Pre-authorization requests, like reimbursement requests, are year specific. Pre-authorization requests for items or services must be purchased using 2026-2027 scholarship funds between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

The deadline to submit pre-authorization requests for 2026-2027 is May 28, 2027.

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Additional Purchasing Guidelines

Receiving Payments, Refunds, or Rebates

Parents and guardians may not receive a payment, refund, or rebate of scholarship funds from a provider.

Subscriptions or Online Programs

Families with more than one scholarship student may choose to purchase a family or multi-user subscription plan when it is more cost-effective than buying individual student plans.

• Each Scholarship student is eligible for reimbursement of their portion of the plan, up to the cost of an individual plan.
• Parents must submit a separate reimbursement request for each scholarship student’s share.

If the plan also covers non-scholarship family members, only the scholarship students’ prorated portion can be reimbursed.

Conferences

Training and conferences intended for parents or teachers are not considered eligible uses of scholarship funds. However, conferences that feature student-focused instruction and activities designed to enhance the curriculum are eligible. 

Uniform Purchases under Eligible Private School Fees

Uniform purchases that are not made directly through the private school (for example, those bought from a retail store) are considered reimbursement expenses rather than school invoices.

For these purchases:

• Only the retailer’s name, date of purchase, item description, and total amount paid are required for the receipt or invoice.
• The school’s address and school year do not need to be listed for retail uniform purchases.
• A copy of the school’s uniform policy must be submitted with the reimbursement request or publicly available for review on the school’s website to verify that the clothing items meet the school dress code requirements.

⚠️ Note: Reimbursements for uniform purchases may be placed on hold if the school’s uniform policy is not provided.

Digital Device Restriction

Under Florida law, FTC-PEP students cannot use scholarship funds to purchase digital devices, such as laptops, computers, and other digital periphery. These items cannot be reimbursed or purchased through MSS for FTC-PEP students. For more information on eligible and prohibited items, please see the PEP Purchasing Guide.

General Household Expenses Are Not Covered

Supplies that are considered general household expenses or improvements are not eligible for reimbursement (e.g., underground irrigation systems, large appliances, chicken coops). 

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Frequency of Purchase Limitations

Scholarship program rules limit the frequency with which families can purchase certain items using scholarship funds.

These rules apply by calendar year. For example, a desk may have a two-year purchasing frequency, meaning a student who purchased a desk on November 10, 2028, will be eligible to purchase another desk using scholarship funds on or after November 11, 2028.

Frequency of purchase rules allow for one of each item under a specific category/type/description within two (2) years. For example, a student may use scholarship funds to purchase an art easel (Instructional Materials/Elective Equipment/Art Equipment). The student may also then purchase a kiln (Instructional Materials/Elective Equipment/Art Equipment) without violating the frequency of purchase rule for Art Equipment, but they may not purchase more than one easel.

If you purchased an item or device using scholarship funds prior to a frequency of purchase rule being implemented, that purchase will still count toward the rule.Frequency of purchase rules apply to all scholarship programs, even if a student changes programs. For example, if a parent or guardian purchased a desk with FTC-PEP funds on November 10, 2026, the student would not be eligible to purchase a desk using any other scholarship until November 11, 2028.

Information on the categories that the frequency of purchase rule applies to can be found in the Purchasing Guide.

Items That Are Lost, Stolen, or Broken Beyond Repair

If an item purchased with scholarship funds is broken beyond repair, it may be replaced with a similar item of equal or lesser value.

A parent or guardian must submit a pre-authorization request and documentation from a repair shop or service technician showing the item is beyond repair. Photos of the damaged item do not qualify as sufficient documentation.

If the item can be repaired, scholarship funds may be used to cover the cost of repair, but they cannot be used to cover the cost of a replacement.

If an item was stolen, a parent or guardian must submit a pre-authorization request and police report for review.

If a replacement item is authorized, the two (2) calendar-year period will reset. For example, a student who purchased a television on July 10, 2025, but then makes an authorized replacement purchase on October 10, 2026, will not be eligible to purchase another television using scholarship funds until after October 11, 2028.

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Direct Payment To Eligible Private Schools

Individual Classes, Extracurricular Activities, or Services At An Eligible Private School

FTC-PEP students may use scholarship funds to take individual classes or participate in extracurricular activities at an eligible private school.

Students who wish to do so must not enroll in a private school as a full-time student.

Each class or activity must be paid through the school’s EMA marketplace account or by reimbursement.

Eligible expenses include academic services, athletics/clubs/activities participation, individual classes, and testing.

Payments made to a private school that is not approved by the Florida Department of Education to participate in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program cannot be reimbursed.

Part-Time Enrollment

FTC-PEP students may also enroll part-time in eligible private schools they attend in-person. Eligible private schools may choose to accept direct payment by creating service offerings in the EMA Marketplace.

The school must accept the FTC Scholarship to provide part-time enrollment to PEP students. A list of schools eligible to serve scholarship students can be found in the Florida Private Schools Directory. Please note that tuition and fees paid to an ineligible private school are not eligible for reimbursement.

FTC-PEP scholarship students may pay for part-time private school classes directly through the EMA Marketplace for participating schools. FTC-PEP scholarship students may not utilize the school enrollment function in EMA, which is for full-time, in-person learners only.

PEP Hybrid Eligible Private School Students

PEP students may also enroll in FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private schools they attend in-person at least two full school days per week, if their Student Learning Plan addresses the remaining instructional time. Eligible private schools may accept direct payment by creating service offerings in the EMA Marketplace.

FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private schools must meet state eligibility requirements and receive approval to participate in the program from the Florida Department of Education.

Not all eligible private schools are FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private schools. A list of PEP Hybrid private schools eligible to serve FTC-PEP students can be found in the Florida Private Schools Directory.

FTC-PEP scholarship students may pay for FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private school programs directly through the EMA Marketplace for participating schools. FTC-PEP scholarship students may not utilize the school enrollment function in EMA.

Note: Full-time enrollment in a FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private school is not the same as full-time enrollment in a traditional eligible private school, which is prohibited under FTC-PEP. FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private schools must be approved by the Florida Department of Education to participate.

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Direct Payment For Services

Step Up For Students allows parents and guardians to pay directly for some eligible educational services. Providers wishing to participate in direct payment for educational services from scholarship students must set up an account in EMA and submit a service catalog.

Requests for payment directly to a provider may only be approved after the service has been rendered. For more information about the EMA Marketplace, watch the video here.

How to Use MyScholarShop

MyScholarShop allows you to purchase eligible instructional materials and curriculum.

Parents and guardians can log in to EMA to access MyScholarShop, which becomes accessible within a few days after funds are deposited into a student’s account.

If an item is not in MyScholarShop or the program Purchasing Guide, it may still be an eligible expense. If an item is in MyScholarShop, it may not be an eligible item for all scholarship programs.

If a parent pays out of pocket for an item identical to one available through MyScholarShop, but pays for a lower amount, the parent must be reimbursed for that item if it is eligible for their scholarship program.

Parents and guardians should submit a pre-authorization form if they are unsure if an item is eligible.

To learn more about MyScholarShop, watch the video here.  

MyScholarShop Guidelines

• Parents and guardians should make sure there are enough available funds in the student’s scholarship account to cover the entire purchase.
• If an item requires pre-authorization, the pre-authorization request must be approved before a parent or guardian places an order. The approved pre-authorization number must be included in the appropriate field to avoid a delay or denial of the purchase.
• If an item has an associated purchasing rule, such as size, quantity, or frequency limitation, those same rules apply in MyScholarShop.
• MyScholarShop orders will ship to the mailing address listed in the guardian profile in EMA. Before completing a purchase, parents and guardians must confirm that their mailing address in EMA is correct. If an update is needed, please allow 2-3 business days for the new address to populate in MyScholarShop. Step Up For Students reserves the right to deny purchase requests.
• These policies do not apply to in-store purchases or purchases from vendor websites.

MyScholarShop Returns

Returns must be completed directly through the vendor from whom the item was purchased,  not through Step Up For Students. Items may not be returned to the store location.

Individual vendors list their return policies and instructions in MyScholarShop.

Once the vendor has received the item, it may take up to a few weeks for the funds to be credited to the student’s scholarship account.

How to Request Reimbursement

Parents or guardians who choose to pay for eligible tuition, fees, items, or services out of pocket may apply to have those expenditures reimbursed from their student’s scholarship account.

Parents and guardians will submit all reimbursement requests through EMA. Step-by-step instructions for submitting a reimbursement request in EMA are available here.

⚠️ Important: Step Up For Students approves reimbursement of items within the guidance of Florida statutes related to the scholarship program, as well as Florida Department of Education rules and Step Up For Students policies and procedures. Step Up For Students reserves the right to close or deny any reimbursement request submitted for payment.

Reimbursement Timeline

Reimbursement requests are year-specific. Items or services must be purchased using 2026-2027 scholarship funds between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Requests for reimbursements using scholarship funds from the 2026-2027 school year must be submitted by July 31, 2027.

Parents and guardians should anticipate that reimbursement requests may take up to sixty (60) days to be reviewed and processed after all necessary documentation has been received. To prevent delays in the review process, please verify that your invoice or receipt includes all necessary information regarding the category of the reimbursement request, proof of payment details, and any other documentation that may be required, such as credentials. If a reimbursement request is placed "on hold" pending additional documentation or revisions, including amount adjustments, the 60-day review period starts over when the requested information is received.

To avoid interruptions in the review process, please confirm that your invoice or receipt contains all necessary information related to the category for your reimbursement request, proof of payment, and any additional required documentation, such as credentials.

Reimbursement requests submitted for an item or service not listed as an eligible expense may result in delayed processing or denial of the reimbursement if the request does not include an approved pre-authorization. More information is available under Pre-Authorization.

The table below shows when eligible purchases can be made and when corresponding reimbursement requests must be submitted.

Reimbursement Type	Eligible Purchase Window	Reimbursement Request Window
Reimbursements	July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027	July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027
Eligible Reimbursements Before Scholarship Year Begins	Any time before July 1, 2026	July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027
Eligible Reimbursements for Services in Advance	Within four (4) months of the reimbursement request, or within one (1) year if the provider attests the service is nonrefundable	July 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027

Eligible Reimbursements Before Scholarship Year Begins

The categories listed below are eligible for advance purchase, meaning they can be purchased before July 1^st  of the year the student is awarded a scholarship. However, reimbursement requests must be submitted between July 1^st  and July 31^st  or the year the student is awarded a scholarship. This is intended to give families flexibility to plan ahead, while ensuring that the correct year’s scholarship funds are used.

• Eligible Private School Tuition and Fees, including individual classes or extracurricular activities at an eligible private school
• Home Education Instructional Program Tuition and Fees
• Public School Contracted Services
• Dual Enrollment Classes
• Full-Time Private Tutoring
• Postsecondary Institution Tuition and Fees
• State-Approved Virtual Instruction Provider
• State-Approved Online Course
• Curriculum

In these instances, reimbursements should be submitted during the school year in which the service is rendered (or curricula is used), but the proof of purchase may be from the immediately preceding fiscal year. The only exception to this process would be an eligible private school or Home Education Instructional Program (HEIP) fees which can be paid for and reimbursed in the previous school year if the parent has funds available to do so.

For example, if a student receives instruction from a home education instructional program during the 2026-2027 school year, a parent or guardian should apply for reimbursement between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, but the proof of purchase may be dated July 1, 2025, or later.

The only exception to this process would be an eligible private school or Home Education Instructional Program (HEIP) fees, which can be paid for and reimbursed in the previous school year once the Eligible Private School is marked compliant by the Florida Department of Education (usually in April) or the HEIP is approved by SUFS, if the parent has funds available to do so. Reimbursements submitted prior to annual school compliance will be denied.

Eligible Reimbursements for Advance Services

Parents or guardians can apply for reimbursement for services up to four months in advance. For example, if a tutor asks for payment in advance, a parent can apply on August 15^th  for reimbursement of tutoring fees paid through December 15^th . An invoice showing specific dates or a general term like “semester 1” may both be accepted, as long as the service period falls within the four-month limit.

Requests submitted for services more than four (4) months in advance may be approved through the remainder of the school year, up to one (1) year, if the provider attests that the services paid in advance are non-refundable.

Parents and guardians must submit a signed and dated letter from the provider stating the payment is non-refundable or submit published policies from the provider showing these requirements.

Reimbursement Process

After you submit a reimbursement, it will progress through these statuses:

• Submitted: Step Up For Students has received the reimbursement request for the identified purchase.
• In Review: Step Up For Students is reviewing the reimbursement request.
• Complete: Step up For Students has reviewed the reimbursement request, and a decision on the reimbursement request is pending.
• Approved: If a reimbursement request is approved, the payment will be issued to the parent or guardian from the student’s scholarship account via direct deposit (ACH) PayPal or by check.
  • Parents or guardians will be asked to submit personal banking information to receive ACH payments. If a payment is rejected by the banking institution, the funds will return to the student’s scholarship account after thirty (30) days.
  • Reimbursements for multiple scholarship students on multiple scholarship programs will be paid separately.
• Denied: The reimbursement request will not be fulfilled for the identified purchase. Step Up For Students will provide the denial reason via email to the email address in EMA. Common denial reasons include incorrect or insufficient documentation for the purchase, or the purchase was submitted using the wrong category. More information about appealing a denied reimbursement is available in the How to Appeal a Denied Reimbursement section of the handbook..
• On Hold: The reimbursement request needs further action, information, or documentation from the parent or guardian. Step Up For Students will provide information via email to the email address in EMA. If additional documents are requested for an On Hold reimbursement and none are submitted within 30 days, it will automatically be denied, and the parent or guardian will need to submit a new reimbursement request.

How To Appeal a Denied Reimbursement

If a reimbursement request is denied, parents or guardians may appeal the decision once through EMA. To do this, go to the Reimbursements tab on the left side of the dashboard. Find the denied reimbursement request and open it. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see a red APPEAL button. Click this button to start your appeal for the original reimbursement request. Here, you can update the initial reimbursement request and provide additional documentation.

Appeals will only be reviewed through the established process. Step Up For Students is unable to review appeals or resubmission requests that are sent via email or through any other customer service channel.

Reimbursement requests placed on hold for longer than thirty (30) days after a request for additional documentation will be denied and require resubmission.

Submitting Reimbursement Supporting Documentation

For a reimbursement request to be approved, Step Up For Students requires specific documentation outlined in the following sections, “Supporting Documents for Proof of Payment” and “Supporting Documentation for Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds.”

Step Up For Students may request additional documentation or clarification when the reimbursement request is reviewed. The parent or guardian will be notified via email to the email address in EMA.

Invoices and receipts must include a clear breakdown of all costs, such as the base cost, taxes, fees, and the total amount paid. The provider’s name on the invoice or receipt must match their submitted credentials. Handwritten notes, or unofficial documents cannot be accepted. Please make sure your provider’s invoice or receipt reflects the total amount charged to your payment method.

Supporting Documentation for Proof of Payment

The following documents can serve as proof that the parent or guardian paid for the purchase:

• A receipt including the complete transaction date (MM/DD/YY), and the amount paid.
• An invoice including the complete transaction date (MM/DD/YY) and demonstrating that it has been paid in full. Demonstration that it has been paid in full includes a “paid in full” stamp, the display of the invoice amount and payment amount, or a zero balance.

Receipts and invoices must include a clear breakdown of all costs, such as the base cost, taxes, fees, and the total amount paid.

For purchases made with buy now and pay later services, parents and guardians will only be reimbursed for the amount paid at the time of reimbursement submission.

Requests for reimbursement of cash purchases from private sellers that are not affiliated with a company or institution (garage sale, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, private tutors, private therapists) will be denied. Handwritten notes or unofficial documents will also be denied.

Certain expenses require provider vetting by law. For these reimbursements, your receipt or invoice must include the provider's first and last name. For more information on which expenses require a provider/instructor/tutor name, please see the Supporting Documentation for Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds section of the handbook.

⚠️ Note: Parents or guardians utilizing a payment plan for Florida Theme Park admission must wait until the ticket or pass has been paid in full (or up to $299) before submitting their reimbursement request.

Proof of Payment For Private School Tuition Using Tuition Management Systems

A private school’s tuition management system (e.g., FACTS, Blackbaud, TADS) may include the information needed to provide proof of payment.

The billing statement should include:

• School’s name and address
• Scholarship student’s first and last name as listed in EMA
• Description of each payment to be reimbursed, including tuition, registration fee, book fees, etc.
• Date of full payment (MM/DD/YY)
• Amount of each transaction.

A tuition management system account may show activity related to multiple students and transactions. Each reimbursement request should include the specific scholarship student, and the specific transactions, for which the parent or guardian is seeking reimbursement.

If a private school’s tuition management system groups students by family and does not show spending for individual students, a parent or guardian can submit an invoice from the school with appropriate documentation as stated in Tuition and Fees at an Eligible Private School.

Proof of Payment With Credit Card Points, Gift Cards, & Cash Equivalents

Purchases made using reward or loyalty points, credits or gift cards may only be eligible for reimbursement if the proof of payment clearly shows the cash value of the payment method.

For example: A parent or guardian makes an eligible purchase for $40.48. They pay $30 with their credit card and $10.48 using reward points.

They can be reimbursed for the full purchase price of $40.48 if the receipt from their purchase clearly shows a full price of $40.48, and the full purchase was for eligible expenses.

If the receipt does not show the full purchase price, they can only be reimbursed for $30 – the portion paid with a credit card.

Supporting Documentation for Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds

Eligible items and services fall into different categories, and each category has its own documentation requirements. The sections below are organized by category and explain what types of documents are required to show that an item or service qualifies for scholarship funding.

Details on eligible uses of scholarship funds are available in the program Purchasing Guide.

Instructional Materials, Curriculum, or Curriculum Materials

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Item(s) purchased
• Full date of purchase, including year
• Amount of the purchase, including item price, subtotal, taxes, fees, discounts, and total
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

If there are several items listed on the receipt, please underline or highlight the item(s) the reimbursement request is for. If possible, purchase the item(s) in a different transaction.

Internet Resources, Including Mobile Hot Spots

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Service address that matches the physical address listed in the guardian profile in EMA
• Description of the item purchased (e.g., which internet package)Full date of purchase or service
• Amount of the purchase, including item price, subtotal, taxes, fees, discounts, and total.

Your proof of payment date will need to correspond with the due date on the invoice.  

Streaming Services

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Description of the item purchased (i.e. which streaming package)
• Full date of purchase or service, including year
• Amount of the purchase, including item price, subtotal, taxes, fees, discounts, and total
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

The service or billing address does not need to be included for Streaming Services.

Physical Education (P.E.)

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Type of service rendered
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester), including the year
• Service rate
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section).

Electives & Enrichment

Reimbursement requests for elective classes, enrichment or lessons must include documentation demonstrating the provider meets the requirements for part-time tutoring or Choice Navigator services, or has one of the following:

• A valid or expired Florida educator’s certificate
• Minimum of three years (3) of experience in the relevant subject area as demonstrated by a full LinkedIn profile or resume.
• Current enrollment in a postsecondary educational institution as a student of the relevant subject area
• Degree from a postsecondary educational institution in the relevant subject area
• Certification or national accreditation in the relevant subject area

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Instructor’s first and last name
• Provider’s company name, if applicable
• Type of service rendered
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• Service rate
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section).

Summer Programs & Day Camps

Summer day camps and seasonal enrichment programs may be eligible when they provide structured instruction in an academic, artistic, , or skill-based area and are led by providers who meet the Electives & Enrichment instructor qualifications listed above.

The invoice or receipt must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Instructor or provider’s name
• Provider or organization name (if applicable)
• Type of program or class offered
• Dates or session period of participation
• Service rate or tuition amount
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

If the summer program includes multiple activity types, only the instructional component is eligible for reimbursement

Sports-related camps can be submitted under Sports Lessons and do not require provider credentials. 

⚠️ Important:  Traditional overnight summer camps that provide general recreation, lodging, or non-instructional activity programming are not eligible for reimbursement. To submit a reimbursement request, families should follow the same documentation requirements

Florida Department of Education Approved Pre-Apprenticeship Program

The invoice or receipt on craftsperson/company letterhead must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of the Florida Department of Education approved pre-apprenticeship course
• Craftsperson name, and company name (if applicable) and license number or listed on Florida Department of Education website
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• Program rate
• Total amount due for the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

More information about Florida Department of Education approved pre-apprenticeship programs can be found here.

Full-Time Private Tutoring Program

Full-time private tutoring is an option for students to satisfy state attendance requirements outlined in Florida Statute 1002.43. Parents and guardians must select a credentialed provider and participate in a minimum number of instructional hours by grade level.

The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Tutor’s first and last name
• Tutor’s Department of Education certification number
• Tutor’s company name, if applicable
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• Tutor’s hourly rate
• Total amount due for the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

The invoice or receipt must also show that the reimbursement is for full-time tutoring, and the parent must ensure they are seeking reimbursement under the full-time tutoring category.

To ensure correct processing, each reimbursement request should include documentation in English of the service provider’s license number or credentials.

⚠️ Important:  

• Full-time tutors who have not previously received payment via scholarship funds will be required to submit a Step Up For Students Full-Time Tutor Participation Agreement and W-9.
• To ensure correct processing, each reimbursement request should include documentation in English of the service provider’s license number and/or credentials.

Part-Time Tutoring Services or Choice Navigator Services

The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Tutor’s or choice navigator’s first and last name
• Tutor’s company name, if applicable
• Type of service rendered
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• Tutor’s hourly rate (not required for Choice Navigator services)
• Total amount due for the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

⚠️ Important:

• To ensure correct processing, each reimbursement request should include documentation in English of the service provider’s license number or credentials.
• If the provider of these services has not already been approved in EMA, reimbursement requests for these services should include documentation of their credentials in English.
• Options for acceptable documentation are detailed in the program Purchasing Guide.

Contracted Services Provided By A Public School or District

The reimbursement request must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name and address of the school
• Services provided
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

Tuition & Fees At An Eligible Private School

FTC-PEP students may not enroll full-time in a private school, but they may enroll in classes on a part-time basis or FTC-PEP Hybrid eligible private school programs that are approved to participate in the FTC-PEP Scholarship Program.

Requests for reimbursement of tuition and fees at an eligible participating private school submitted by the parent or guardian must include a complete invoice and proof of payment containing the following information:

• School’s published tuition and fee rates
• Annual tuition rate for the scholarship student
• Name and address of the private school
• Scholarship student's first name and last name (The student’s name on the invoice must match Step Up For Student's records. Nicknames, middle names as first names, etc. are not accepted.)
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter Session, or Fall Semester)
• School year the payment is for
• Proof of Payment (see Proof of Payment section)
• Itemized charges for each tuition or fee payment

⚠️ Important:

• School lunch and before-and after-school care are not covered. You may review the Purchasing Guide to view all prohibited fees.
• If the private school uses a tuition management system (e.g., FACTS, Blackbaud, TADS), only the annual fee for use of the billing service will be eligible for reimbursement.
• If a student withdraws or transfers, refunds (if any) will be based on the school’s policy and must be paid back to Step Up For Students for credit to the student’s scholarship account. The parent or guardian may not accept refunds of scholarship dollars from the school.
• Tuition and/or fees paid to an ineligible private school that does not participate in the scholarship program are not eligible for reimbursement.
• If submitting a request for basic uniform pieces purchased from a school-required vendor
  • Only the retailer’s name, date of purchase, item description, and total amount paid are required for the receipt or invoice.
  • Documentation confirming that the vendor is required by the school, or other proof that the school designates the vendor for uniform purchases is required.
  • The school’s uniform policy, including school name, address, and school year is required.

The program Purchasing Guide lists prohibited and eligible fees.

Eligible fees include:

• Academic services fee
• Activity fee, including choir, band, etc.
• Application fee (payable in the fiscal year preceding the academic year)
• Athletics fee
• Club fee
• Book fee
• Enrollment fee
• Graduation fee
• Registration fee (payable in the fiscal year preceding the academic year)
• Security fee
• Technology fee
• Test fee
• Uniform fee (basic uniform pieces purchased from a school-required vendor including sports uniforms)

Prohibited fees:

• Annual funds
• Before- or after-school care
• Costs associated with scholarship management
• Food fees, including breakfast and lunch
• Fundraising fees, donation fees, giving fees, volunteer waiver fees
• Nursery or daycare fees
• Optional fees
• Shoes and accessories fees

If the private school uses a tuition management system (e.g., FACTS, Blackbaud, TADS), only the annual fee for use of the billing service will be eligible for reimbursement. Any fees charged for use of a credit card will not be reimbursed.

Tuition and/or fees paid to an ineligible private school that does not participate in the scholarship program are not eligible for reimbursement.

Tuition & Fees For Florida Virtual School (FLVS) As A Private-Pay Student

The reimbursement request must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of course paid for (or billed)
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

Tuition & Fees For An Eligible Postsecondary Institution, A Home Education Instructional Program, or An Approved Online or Virtual Provider

Reimbursement requests must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of the institution or course provider
• Course description
• Time period of service rendered (e.g., date range of services, or Semester 1, or Winter 1 Session, or Fall Semester)
• Amount of tuition and fees
• Proof of payment, on institutional letterhead, if appliable (see Proof of Payment section)

For first-time Home Education Instructional Program providers who have not previously been vetted, reimbursement requests must also include:

• Tuition and fees schedule
• Descriptions of courses or activities

Fees For Testing and Assessment Services, Including Test Proctoring & Administration

Reimbursement requests must include:

• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date of the evaluation/test, including year
• Description of the services provided
• Amount of fees for the evaluation/test
• Documentation of the teacher’s Florida Department of Education certification number
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section).

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Placement In Residential Programs

If a scholarship student is placed in any residential program, the parent or guardian must confirm how participating students meet the mandatory school attendance requirement.

If the program uses any Florida public school, including a full-time online school, the student may lose their scholarship eligibility if the online school reports them to the state for funding.

If a student enters a Department of Juvenile Justice detention center for a period of no more than twenty-one (21) days, the student is not considered to have returned to a public school on a full-time basis for that purpose.

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Dual Enrollment

FTC-PEP students may use scholarship funds for  eligible dual enrollment expenses if that program counts toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree under Florida Statute 1007.271. Students taking courses not creditable toward a high school diploma are not considered dual enrollment students.

Participation in an early admission dual enrollment program does not affect a student’s eligibility for the FTC-PEP scholarship.

Please see the requirements below for your FTC-PEP option to participate.

FTC-PEP Students Attending a PEP Hybrid Private School:

FTC-PEP students attending a PEP hybrid private school part-time may participate in the dual enrollment program if their private school has entered into an articulation agreement with the postsecondary institution where they will be taking courses.

The articulation agreement must be in place for dual enrollment courses to be offered at no cost to the student.

FTC-PEP Students as part of the Personalized Education Plan:

FTC-PEP students may participate in the dual enrollment program if the student and the student’s parent have entered into a home education articulation agreement with the postsecondary institution where they will be taking courses. The articulation agreement will outline the costs to be covered.

👉 For more information on articulation agreements, please refer to the Florida Department of Education’s Dual Enrollment webpage.

Please note, paying out of pocket for an out-of-state college summer program that awards college credit does not jeopardize FTC-PEP scholarship eligibility, provided the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the FTC-PEP Family Handbook.

Scholarship funds may only be used for eligible expenses. Tuition and fees for dual enrollment are eligible expenses when paid to an eligible postsecondary institution, including those participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

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Parent & Guardian Rights & Responsibilities

To make sure your child remains eligible for the FTC-PEP Scholarship, there are a few important responsibilities you’ll need to keep in mind.

⚠️ Quick Checklist:

• Annual Assessment – Your child must complete an annual educational evaluation
• Withdraw as a full-time public school student or terminate a home education program with your school district and enroll as a FTC-PEP student with Step Up For Students.
• Part-time at an eligible private school or eligible FTC-PEP hybrid private– Your child cannot be enrolled in public school on a full-time basis while receiving FTC-PEP funds.
• Keep Contact Information Current – Update your information in EMA if anything changes
• Use Funds Correctly – Spend scholarship funds only on eligible expenses
• Protect Your Child’s Privacy – Do not share your EMA login or password.

Annual Assessment Requirement

FTC-PEP students are required to annually take a nationally norm-referenced test identified by the Florida Department of Education or the statewide assessment described in Florida Statute 1008.22 and submit the results to Step Up For Students before receiving FTC-PEP scholarship funding in subsequent years or switching to a different scholarship program.

More information, including a list of approved assessments, is available at the Florida Department of Education.

Students with disabilities for whom a physician, psychologist, or IEP team determines that standardized testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. These students must submit the Standardized Testing Exemption Form to Step Up For Students.

For a step-by-step guide on how to upload your Annual Assessment, please watch this video.

⚠️ Important:

Renewal students must have their 2025-26 assessment results submitted in EMA by May 31, 2026, to be eligible for funding in the 2026-27 school year.

Determining Your Annual Assessment and Student Learning Plan Requirements

Student Status	Annual Assessment and Student Learning Plan Required Actions
Student was funded on FTC-PEP in 2026-2027 and will continue on FTC-PEP in 2027-2028	Submit annual assessment results and complete a  Student Learning Plan.
Student was funded on FTC-PEP in part of 2026-2027 but switched and was funded on a different scholarship for the rest of the year	No submission needed for FTC-PEP program. However, the student must meet any requirements of their funded scholarship for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year.
Student was funded on FTC-PEP in 2026-2027, but was awarded an FTC, FES-EO, or FES-UA scholarship for 2027-2028	Submit annual assessment results.

Maintaining Up-To-Date Contact Information

Parents and guardians must keep their contact information current in EMA, especially their primary email address, as this is how Step Up For Students will communicate important information.

To update proof of residency, parents or guardians should contact Step Up For Students.

To avoid important communications from going to spam or junk folders, parents and guardians should update their email filters to accept messages from Step Up For Students.

Use of Funds

Parents and guardians are required to keep scholarship funds in an account managed by the Scholarship Funding Organization. Parents and guardians can direct how funds are used, but it is prohibited for parents and guardians to personally access the funds,

Additionally, parents and guardians cannot be paid with scholarship funds for services provided to their own scholarship student.

Confidentiality

To protect the confidentiality of personal and financial information stored in EMA, only the parent or guardian listed on the account is permitted to access and manage it.

Parents and guardians must not share account login credentials with anyone, including school and service provider personnel, or other individuals. Sharing login information or allowing another person to access the account may result in loss of scholarship eligibility and funding, and financial or criminal penalties.

Step Up For Students is not responsible for changes to the account or unauthorized transactions made by someone other than the parent or guardian listed on the account.

Continuing Program Eligibility

Once a student’s scholarship has been funded, a parent or guardian may submit a renewal application each year as long as they meet residency requirements and remain eligible to enroll in a Florida public school. The student will remain eligible until they return to public school, graduate high school, or turn twenty-one (21) years old. If a student graduates high school before the end of the school year, the parent or guardian must contact Step Up For Students. Failure to do so may be considered fraud and may result in financial or criminal penalties.

A student will need to apply for the scholarship as a new student if they:

• Do not renew their scholarship and “sit out” a year
• Leave the program and later seek to resume participation

Remaining Funds After Eligibility Ends

If a student turns twenty-one (21) years old, graduates high school, or enrolls in a public school on a full-time basis but still has funds remaining in their scholarship account, the parent or guardian may continue to access and spend those funds on eligible expenses until no funds remain in the scholarship account.

Accounts will be closed if there is no spending activity within two (2) consecutive fiscal years (July 1 – June 30) and have their funds returned to the funding source.

Leaving The Scholarship Program

Parents and guardians must notify Step Up For Students immediately by declining the scholarship in their EMA account, if a scholarship student:

• Enrolls, and is reported to the state for public funding, any public school, including Florida Virtual School or another online school. (Students may use their scholarships to pay for individual courses or other services provided by these institutions);
• Intends to apply for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Education Options, or the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship to attend private school on a full-time basis,  the Transportation Stipend. or New Worlds Scholarship Accounts program. Moves out of state (except for renewing students of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces who receive permanent change of station orders out of state while maintaining legal residence in Florida).

How to decline the Scholarship:

• The parent or guardian must log in to their EMA account
• Go to the application where the scholarship was previously accepted
• Select the Decline Scholarship option
• Once declined, the status will update in EMA under the Application Details and a timestamp will show when the decline was made.

For a visual guide on how to decline a scholarship, click here.

⚠️ Important: Failure to notify Step Up For Students may result in:

• Loss of scholarship funding
• Loss of future eligibility or
• Financial or criminal penalties.

If state records show a student enrolled in a public school after receiving scholarship funds, the funds deposited into the student’s account for that school year will be returned to Step Up For Students or the state of Florida.

If a student is found enrolled in public school or another scholarship program, their parent or guardian will be notified by email and should contact Step Up For Students immediately.

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Actions That May Lead to Loss of the Scholarship

Actions that may lead to a loss of the scholarship include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to submit or annually update a Student Learning Plan for the student.
• Misrepresenting or withholding information on the scholarship application or reimbursement documentation.
• Failure to satisfy state compulsory attendance requirements.
• For renewal students—failure to annually take a required nationally norm-referenced test or the statewide assessment and submit the results to Step Up For Students before being renewed for the program.
• Moving or residing outside of the state of Florida. With the exception of renewal FTC-PEP scholarship students of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to move out of Florida.
• Enrolling in a public school, including the Florida Virtual School, the Florida School For The Deaf and Blind, the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy, the Florida Scholars Academy, a developmental research school, a charter school, or any other Florida public school, on a full-time basis.
• Utilizing another state scholarship.
• Fraudulent activity, including taking possession of any scholarship funds by refund, resale, rebate, or credit from a provider or purchase.
• Allowing another party, including a provider or school representative, to access or manage a student’s scholarship account.
• Step Up For Students  determines the student is not eligible for program renewal.
• The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of funds for fraud or abuse of the program.
• The student graduates high school or reaches twenty-one (21) years of age, whichever occurs first.

The above actions, or any violation of scholarship statutes, rules, policies, or procedures may result in the loss of the scholarship, loss of future scholarship eligibility, or financial or criminal penalties.

Students whose accounts have been closed may submit new applications and be considered for scholarship eligibility in subsequent years. The Commissioner of Education has the authority to determine whether to deny or withdraw a student's eligibility for any upcoming year.

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Account Security and Fraud Prevention

Data Security

Step Up For Students will never ask a parent or guardian for the following information via email, phone call, live chat, or text message:

• Password to their secure online account
• Full social security number (only the last four digits may be requested for verification)
• Credit card number or banking details
• Personal identification numbers (only the PIN provided on the scholarship application may be requested for verification)

Parents or guardians who receive any communication requesting this type of information or receive a suspicious email must not respond or click on any links. Instead, report the activity immediately on the Contact Us page on the Step Up For Students website.

Account Security

Parents may be asked to provide their student ID or award ID when enrolling through EMA or when verifying information during a customer service call. These IDs are also included in official award letters and communications. However, Step Up For Students staff will never disclose or share a student ID or award ID with parents or guardians over email, phone, live chat, or text message.

If you receive any communication offering to provide your student ID, award ID, or other sensitive information, do not respond or click any links. Instead, report the activity immediately on the Contact Us page on the Step Up For Students website.

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Additional Resources

• Document Library
• Resources Page
• FTC-PEP Scholarship Information
• FTC-PEP Purchasing Guide
• Florida Department of Education FTC-PEP Frequently Asked Questions
• Program Facts
• Find a School Tool

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Videos

• About the FTC-PEP scholarship
• How to complete an FTC-PEP Student Learning Plan
• How to upload an FTC-PEP assessment

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Handbook Disclaimer

Please note that the information and terms outlined in this handbook are subject to change as laws or rules are amended. To ensure you have the most current information, this handbook is updated regularly.

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Handbook Feedback Form

Step Up For Students welcomes feedback from parents and guardians to help improve this handbook. We encourage you to share your suggestions using the Parent Handbook Feedback Form.