Private School Family Handbook

Last Modified: July 1, 2026

2026-27 Private School Family Handbook

Scholarship Overview

The Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), and Family Empowerment Scholarship For Unique Abilities (FES-UA) are scholarships that help parents and guardians customize their student’s education.

Since 2023, any Florida students who are eligible to enroll in a public school for kindergarten through 12^th grade are eligible for FTC or FES-EO. Students who also have qualifying disabilities are eligible for FES-UA. For more information on qualifying for an FES-UA Scholarship, see the FES-UA Parent & Guardian Handbook.

The FTC, FES-EO, and FES-UA Scholarships allow families to pay tuition and fees at an eligible private school. Families may use remaining funds for other education-related expenses allowed by law.

EMA, the Education Market Assistant, is the system Step Up For Students created to help parents and guardians manage every aspect of their student’s scholarship, starting with the online scholarship application.

This handbook helps parents and guardians understand the rules governing the scholarship programs and guides them through the process of applying for and using their scholarships.

About Step Up For Students

Our Work

Step Up For Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida to administer the FTC, FES, 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 how we put our mission into action, please visit our website.

Qualifying & Applying For A Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for FTC or FES-EO, your child must meet all of the following requirements:

Be a Florida resident, OR:
- A dependent of an active-duty U.S. military member with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Florida
Be eligible to enroll in grades K-12 in a Florida public school, OR:
- Received a Hope Scholarship in the 2023-2024 school year
If entering Kindergarten, be five (5) years old on or before September 1^st of the school year of 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 as of September 1^st of the year the application is submitted

⚠️ Note: Misrepresenting any information provided to Step Up For Students in a scholarship application could result in the revocation of the student’s scholarship and may be punishable as a crime.

Applying For A Scholarship

Step Up For Students requires parents and guardians to submit a complete scholarship application each year through their EMA account, which can be accessed at StepUpForStudents.org.

Application Deadlines

For students renewing their Private School 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 (i.e. new students) for the 2026-2027 school year:

By November 15, 2026: new students must submit their initial scholarship application.
By December 15, 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.

Timeline

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

Type of Student	Application Period
Renewal Student	February 1 - April 30, 2026
New Student	February 1 - November 15, 2026

⚠️ Important: Renewal applications submitted after the April 30, 2026, deadline will be considered a new application.

Application Deadline Exceptions

The following students are excluded from the standard application deadlines:

Dependents of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces
Students in foster care or out-of-home care
Students who experience a bullying or harassment incident at their public school

The following documents are requested for the applicable deadline exclusions:

Dependents of an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces: Leave and Earnings Statement dated within two (2) months of the application submission date (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 child or a child in Out-Of-Home Care: A copy of the Foster Placement documentation, care placement, or other similar legal documentation
Students who experience bullying in a public school: A completed Hope Scholarship Notification Form

Parents and guardians of students who qualify for a deadline exception must:

Apply no later than April 15, 2027;
Submit required documentation no later than April 22, 2027; and
Accept the scholarship award and enroll in an EPS through EMA no later than May 15, 2026

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

The student is awarded and enrolled in an eligible private school by March 17, 2027, for Q3 and Q4, and May 15, 2027, for Q4 only funding
Enrollment will be satisfied when the Student Enrollment Form is completed in EMA (approved by the parent or guardian regardless of start date)
The Student must attend school for ten (10) days during the quarter to be eligible for payment, as indicated by the student start date in the Student Enrollment Form

⚠️ 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.

How To Accept The Scholarship

Upon receiving notification from Step Up For Students that the student is eligible, Florida law requires that parents and guardians accept or decline the scholarship by specific dates.

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 Applicant	Decision Required By
Renewal Applicants	May 31, 2026
New Applicants	December 15, 2026

Process

Upon receiving notification from Step Up For Students that the student is eligible, parents and guardians must log into their EMA account to accept or deny the scholarship.

Creating Your EMA Account

Before you can apply, you’ll 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
Review school enrollment and quarterly payments

How to get started

Go to the Step Up For Students website and click the “Appy/Login” (Chrome or Firefox browser recommended)
Select “Log In”
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 your own phone number, physical address, and email address. Using someone else’s contact information is not allowed and may delay your application.

Entering Your Information

Every year, you’ll 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 into their existing EMA account to submit a renewal application.

👉 What you’ll need to do in EMA

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

⚠️ Important:

When applying for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) or Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), please keep the following rules in mind:

One Program at a Time: You cannot apply for FES-EO/FTC and another Scholarship program for the same student at the same time, including the Personalized Education Program, Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities, and Transportation Stipend.
Confirm School Participation: If your student attends a private school, confirm with the school which Scholarships it accepts before switching programs. If you plan to leave the school, withdraw your student before applying for a new Scholarship.
One Parent or Guardian Account: Each student can only be linked to one parent or guardian account. 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 may not apply for a parent or guardian, submit documentation, or request your EMA login information
- Doing so may result in revocation of the provider’s participation in the program or the student’s Scholarship eligibility and funding and may carry a financial or criminal penalty.
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’ll 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. You will only be considered for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. 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.

If you’re unsure what’s required or how to upload a file, watch this video for practical tips on required documentation.

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're applying for the first time or renewing—you’ll need to provide proof of residency using documents 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 Private School (FTC/FES-EO) 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 FL unit address on the PCS orders they submit.
Once residency in Florida is established, update the physical and mailing addresses in the guardian profile and provide new FL Proof of Residency documents.

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

Students will not receive funds until an updated Proof of Residency is received, and the physical address is updated in the guardian profile in EMA.

Award Prioritization

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

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.
Students from households with incomes above 185% but not exceeding 400% of the FPL.
Students from households with incomes above 400% of the FPL.

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.
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.

PERSONS IN FAMILY/HOUSEHOLD	PRIORITY 1 ≤ 185%	PRIORITY 2 186%-400%
1	$28,952.50	$62,600.00
2	$39,127.50	$84,600.00
3	$49,302.50	$106,600.00
4	$59,477.50	$128,600.00
5	$69,652.50	$150,600.00
6	$79,827.50	$172,600.00
7	$90,002.50	$194,600.00
8	$100,177.50	$216,600.00
9	$110,352.50	$238,600.00
10	$120,527.50	$260,600.00
Each Additional Household Member + $10,175		Each Additional Household Member + $22,000
Based on guidelines published by the Department of Health & Human Services in National Registry on January 2025

Household Members

To calculate the correct household size and establish application priority, all household members must be included on an application. The application will prompt parents or 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 18, they must be a dependent of the parent or guardian 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 eighteen (18) years or older.

Sources of income include:

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

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.

Uploading Required Documentation for Special Application Statuses

Adoption Status

To provide proof of adoption status, you must upload a copy of an Adoption Decree or other similar legal documentation under the Additional Documents section of the application.

Active-Duty Military Status

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 dated within two (2) months of when the application was submitted and Permanent Change of Station orders (if applicable) under the Additional Documents section of the application.

Law Enforcement Officer Status

To provide proof of the law enforcement officer status of the parent or guardian, you must upload a photocopy of the law enforcement officer’s badge under the Additional Documents section of the application.

Foster Status

To provide proof of foster status, you must upload a copy of placement documentation, care placement, or other similar legal documentation dated within the last two (2) calendar years under the Additional Documents section of the application.

Scholarship Participation Requirements

Once awarded a scholarship, the parent or guardian can access their student’s Award ID by logging in to EMA, as outlined in this video.

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 a more information, visit our crosscheck information page.

If the crosscheck shows the 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, an Action Needed message will display in EMA. Documentation must be uploaded to verify that the student is not enrolled in public school. Once the documentation is verified, the 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.

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, so 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:

Your child cannot be enrolled in a public school on a full-time basisand receive an FTC or FES-EO Scholarship at the same time. This would count as “double funding” under state law.
You can still use public 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 uses public school services, be sure the school reports them as privately paying. If the school incorrectly reports your child as a public-school enrollee, you could lose the 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
Public School VPK
VPK Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS)
Any other Florida public school

Students may not receive multiple K-12 scholarships under FES-UA, FES-EO, FTC, PEP, or the Transportation Stipend at the same time.

More information for students who want to leave their current scholarship program for another option is available in the Leaving the Scholarship Program section.

Full-Time Private School Enrollment Requirements

Private school scholarship students must be educated full-time at the physical location of an eligible private school. Step-by-step instructions for parents or guardians whose student has been awarded a scholarship are available from Step Up For Students here.

Once a student is awarded a scholarship:

The parent or guardian must select an eligible, participating private school. This tool can help families find participating schools in their area.
The parent or guardian must then provide the student’s Award ID to their chosen school. The Award ID is available under the My Students tab in EMA. This video provides a step-by-step guide.
The school will use the Award ID to enroll the student in EMA.
The parent or guardian must confirm enrollment in EMA.

After a student enrolls in an eligible private school, the school and parent or guardian must both certify the agreed-upon tuition and fee rate for the student. The agreed-upon tuition and fee rate may include discounts or other considerations. It may be less, but not more, than the school’s published tuition and fee rate for the student’s grade level.

The agreed-upon amount of tuition and fees in EMA should not exceed any amount the parent or guardian has agreed to pay the eligible private school. Schools participating in the scholarship program cannot charge a different rate for scholarship students and non-scholarship students. The same published tuition schedule must apply to all students, whether on scholarship or paying privately.

For example: If a school and a parent agree to a tuition and fee rate of $8,000, the amount charged in EMA should be $8,000, or less.

Many participating private schools charge more than the value of the scholarship. In some cases, they may decide to provide scholarship students with supplemental financial assistance. The parent or guardian should work with the school but may be required to pay the difference between the value of the scholarship and the full tuition and fees.

If a student is enrolled at a school on a full-time basisbefore a scholarship has been awarded, the parent or guardian will be responsible for paying any tuition and fees due to the school.

Once funding has begun, if a full-time student unenrolls from their private school at any time during the school year, the student will be unable to access any funds for other expenses until they have enrolled again in a participating private school.

Transferring Among Participating Private Schools

Students using the private school scholarship option may transfer their scholarship among participating private schools. If a parent or guardian is not satisfied with the private school they have chosen, they may find another one.

Before a parent or guardian withdraws their student from the private school, they should notify the school and understand the school’s transfer policy.

A student must withdraw from their school in EMA before they can enroll in another participating private school in EMA.

If a student’s scholarship requires full-time enrollment in an eligible private school, funding has been distributed to their account, and the student withdraws and does not re-enroll in an eligible private school within thirty (30) days, the student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds for that quarterly payment period must revert to the state.

The transfer process may include a final payment to the private school the student is leaving. If a payment is owed to that school, it must be approved by the parent or guardian. If the school has been overpaid, Step Up will invoice the school for the overpayment.

If a student transfers to a different participating school in the same quarter, the first school the student attended for ten (10) days or more during that quarter will receive the full quarter’s payment.

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

The parent or guardian and the two schools may negotiate any amount owed to the new school from the quarterly payment made to the first school. This is not required, but, in the spirit of partnership for the good of the student, is highly recommended.

Parents and guardians should allow five (5) business days for the current school to withdraw their student. If the student has not been withdrawn after five (5) business days, they should contact the Customer Engagement Center at Step Up For Students.

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, in any public school, including Florida Virtual School or another online school. Students may use their scholarships to pay for courses or other services provided by these institutions.
Intends to apply for a Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship or the Transportation Stipend.
Moves out of state
To decline a 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: Parents and guardians cannot decline the scholarship if the student is enrolled in an eligible private school. If the student is currently enrolled in an eligible private school, they must be withdrawn or unenrolled before the scholarship can be declined.

Failure to notify Step Up For Students could result in a loss of funding, loss of future eligibility, or financial or criminal penalties.

If state records show a student enrolled in a public school on a full-time basis 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 on a full-time basisor another scholarship program, their parent or guardian will be notified by email and should contact Step Up For Students immediately.

Grade Level Changes

Grade level changes may be initiated by a school during enrollment or by a guardian from within EMA when eligible. When a grade mismatch occurs between the grade entered by the school and the grade on the scholarship application, EMA will prompt the guardian to confirm the grade level and, in some cases, submit documentation for review.

Grade Level Change Funding Timeframe

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.

How To Get Your Scholarship Funds

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

Funding for FES-EO comes from the State of Florida.

Funding Amounts

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.

The amount of scholarship funding a student receives is determined by the Florida Department of Education and is based on multiple factors present at the time the student is submitted for funding consideration for the first time in the school year:

The student’s grade level
The student’s county of residence
(FOR FES-UA STUDENTS ONLY) The level of special education services they receive

After the Florida Department of Education assigns the funding award amount, any subsequent changes to grade level or county of residence will not result in any change to the funding award amount.

Scholarship Funding Requirements

To receive scholarship funding, parents and guardians must:

Select an eligible private school for their student
Request the scholarship by the dates listed in the Application Deadlines section
Accept or decline the scholarship by the dates listed in the Application Deadlines section
Provide the student’s Award ID to the school at time of enrollment
Confirm the student’s enrollment in EMA
Approve each quarterly payment before scholarship funds may be paid to an eligible private school

Funding Proration

Scholarship funding will be prorated based on the date the guardian has accepted the student's awarded scholarship.

Below is a breakdown of the proration:

Students with an awarded and accepted scholarship with a completed enrollment by September 30, 2026, will receive 100% of the total funding amount for that school year.
Students who miss the September 30, 2026, deadline but have an awarded and accepted scholarship with a completed enrollment by January 15, 2027, will receive 50% of the total funding amount for that school year.
If a student is not awarded and has not accepted the awarded scholarship and completed enrollment by January 15, 2027, they will not be funded for the 2026-2027 school year.
If an awarded and accepted scholarship with a completed enrollment has been declined but later accepted again, the Funding Proration would be based on the most recent acceptance date.

Scholarship Funding Schedule

Scholarship funds are deposited into student scholarship accounts quarterly.

A Scholarship Funding Organization must verify a student’s eligibility to participate in the program at least thirty (30) days before receiving funding from the state.

Once the Florida Department of Education receives a verified list of eligible students from Step Up For Students, they will distribute scholarship funds quarterly on the following dates:

Enrollment Deadlines

2026-2027 School Year Enrollment Deadlines	Funds Delivered To Step Up
June 15*	August 1*
July 15*	September 1*
September 30	November 1
December 15	February 1
February 15	April 1

* There are two funding dates for the first quarter.

Only students found eligible on or before the January 15, 2027, funding file sent to the Florida Department of Education can be considered for funding in the 2026-2027 school year.

For students enrolled full-time in an eligible private school, Step Up For Students will make quarterly payments for tuition and fees within seven (7) business days after both the school and the parent or guardian have approved the payment. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to approve any eligible invoices in EMA.

If a student attends their school for at least ten (10) days during a quarterly payment period, their school will receive the full distribution for that quarter.

Step Up For Students may sometimes provide supplemental funding to students who were not funded on the above schedule. Step Up For Students will communicate this with impacted families via email.

Once tuition and fees are paid to the private school, students may use any remaining funds for other eligible expenses. More information is available in Authorized Uses of Scholarship Program Funds or the program Purchasing Guide.

If Step Up For Students deposits excess funds in error to a student’s scholarship account, Step Up For Students will recover the excess funds by potentially adjusting future funding amounts. Parents and guardians should be aware of the amount of funds in the student’s scholarship account when making purchases and try to avoid spending any funds that may have been deposited into the student’s account by mistake. If a student switches scholarship programs mid-year, Step Up For Students may need to recover excess funds tied to their previous scholarship program.

For more information about the enrollment, funding, and payment schedule, please see this document.

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

Funding Continuation & Rollover

Once funds are deposited into the student’s account, parents or guardians may use the funds for items and services described in the sections below.

A student’s unspent scholarship funds may be rolled over from one school year to the next. However, under Florida law, Step Up For Students cannot transfer funds into a student’s FTC or FES-EO Scholarship account if it raises the account balance above $24,000. Step Up For Students cannot transfer funds into a student’s FES-UA Scholarship account if it would raise the account balance above $50,000.

If a student enrolls in a public school, graduates from high school, or reaches twenty-one (21) years of age on or before September 1^st (whichever comes first), the student will not be eligible for additional scholarship funding. However, any remaining funds may still be used for eligible expenses until the account balance is fully spent.

Please note that certain statutory conditions require student accounts to be closed and any remaining funds to be reverted to the state. To avoid this, families are encouraged to spend available funds in a timely manner. For more information about the conditions that may trigger account closure, please refer to the Funding Revocation section.

Accrued Interest

Florida law requires Step Up For Students to establish separate scholarship accounts for each scholarship student. It also requires Step Up For Students to record interest on each student’s account and ensure any interest is reserved for that student’s benefit and added to their account balance. Step Up For Students does not earn profit from this interest, nor does it use these funds for any other purpose.

Timeline

The table below outlines when interest accrued on scholarship funds will be deposited into the students’ account, according to the quarter in which it was earned:

Interest Accrual Period	Deposit to Student Account by
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 scholarship 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 in error.

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

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

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 on a full-time basis.
The student either graduates from high school or turns twenty-one (21) years old on or before September 1^st of the school year for which they are submitting a scholarship application, whichever occurs first.

Funding Revocation

A student’s scholarship account will be closed and any remaining funds (including rollover funds from previous years) will be returned to the state if any of the following occurs:

The Commissioner of Education deems the student ineligible due to fraud or abuse
Two (2) consecutive fiscal years (July 1^st-June 30^th) with no spending activity from the student’s account
A student remains unenrolled in an eligible private school for thirty (30) days while receiving a scholarship that requires full-time enrollment
For FES-UA students ONLY: Three (3) consecutive years after high school graduation without enrollment in an eligible postsecondary program

Invoice Approval Requirement

Parents and guardians must approve private school tuition and fee invoices in EMA within thirty (30) calendar days of the school submitting them.

If the invoice is not approved within this time frame, it will be deleted.
For FTC students, the funds are returned to the funding source.
For FES-EO, the funds are returned to the Florida Department of Education.
For FES-UA students, the funds are returned to the student’s scholarship account.

⚠️ Important: If a parent or guardian does not approve an invoice that is required for school enrollment, the student will not be eligible for funding for the remainder of that scholarship year.

Funding Transfers Between 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 transfer from one SFO to another.

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.

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

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.

If a student completes a transfer, please note that the transfer of funds may take several weeks.

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.

Private School and Unique Abilities families whose students have already been awarded should confirm their student’s initial scholarship program or decline their initial scholarship to apply for and accept a different scholarship for the 2026-2027 school year by June 15, 2026, for renewal students and July 15, 2026, for new students. Students who have confirmed before this deadline may remain eligible for funding consideration for Quarters 1-4 through the program they have accepted. This means up to 100% of the student’s scholarship award may come from the new program, pending funding approval from the Florida Department of Education and all applicable deadlines being met.

The final deadline to accept a 2026-2027 scholarship through the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) and Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) is December 15^th for new students. However, renewal students must accept by May 31^st to maintain renewal priority. Even if your student was funded in Quarter 4 of the previous year on their current scholarship, if you accept their scholarship after May 31^st, they will be considered a new student.

Deferral Note: Guardians who want to decline their student’s scholarship for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 and may want to reaccept their scholarship for Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 must decline their scholarship by June 15, 2026, for renewal students and July 15, 2026, for new students.

⚠️ Important: Parents and guardians should only accept the scholarship if they are sure that their student will use the scholarship at the start of the year. If a student accepts the scholarship, is presented for funding consideration, and is found by the Florida Department of Education to be enrolled full-time in a Florida public school, their scholarship will be forfeited for the entire year. Parents and guardians who are unsure of their students’ plans should not accept the scholarship at this time. It may be accepted later when the student’s plans are confirmed.

Switching Process: Guardians wishing to switch scholarship programs after June 15^th (for renewal students) or July 15^th (for new students) may do so only between October 2^nd and the last business day of October of the application year. Changes made during this period may allow students to remain eligible for Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 funding (50%) under the new program. Program switchers must comply with relevant application and acceptance deadlines for the new scholarship program for which they are applying.

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.

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

Out-of-State Expenses

Some expenses outside of Florida may be eligible but have special requirements.

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 events
Museum admission and memberships
State and National Park admission
Ticketed 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.

Other Out-of-State Rules

Service Providers: With the exception of 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.
- 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.
- MyScholarShop orders may not be shipped outside of Florida.

See our YouTube page for videos about reimbursements and other useful topics.

How to Spend Your Scholarship Funds

Eligible Expenses

Scholarship program funds must be used for eligible expenses that meet the individual educational needs of the scholarship student. Step Up For Students will first commit the total amount of tuition and fees, up to the amount of funding a student was awarded that school year, to the selected school.

Step Up For Students bills the student’s account quarterly for tuition and fees before a parent or guardian can access any remaining scholarship funds. Once the tuition and fee amount is paid to the private school, students with additional funds available in their accounts may use them for other eligible expenses.

Please see the appendix at the end of this handbook for a chart outlining the Authorized Uses of Funds and payment types (direct pay or reimbursement) for each program. Eligible expenses are detailed in the program Purchasing Guide.

The following categories of items and services are approved uses for the scholarship funds:

Instructional materials
Curriculum and curriculum materials
Tuition and fees:
- At an eligible private school for full-time, in-person learners
- At an eligible postsecondary institution, including those participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
- For dual enrollment
- For an approved pre-apprenticeship program
- At an approved online or virtual provider
- As a private-pay student for Florida Virtual School
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

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 below under Pre-Authorization.

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 ways to use scholarship funds:

Direct billing for full-time private school through EMA
Direct billing for services such as tutoring or therapy (through Find Providers on EMA Marketplace)
Shopping in MyScholarShop for pre-approved instructional materials and curriculum
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 gives you an easy way to buy approved instructional materials and curriculum.
Find Providers helps you connect with pre-approved vendors for services like tutoring and therapy.

MyScholarShop will become accessible within a few days after funds are deposited into a student’s account. Parents or guardians can log in to EMA to access MyScholarShop.

⚠️ Before you spend the funds, check these things:

Eligibility of the expense
- Look at the Purchasing Guide or Appendix A to confirm the item or service is allowed. Keep in mind that something approved in the past, may not be approved now.
Available Balance
- Check your student’s account in EMA to confirm you have enough 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. Every request is reviewed to ensure it meets these requirements before approval.

⚠️ Note: Any scholarship funds that are not spent during a school year will roll over to the next year and become part of the student’s available balance. These funds remain accessible and can be used for eligible expenses in future years, as long as the student continues to meet scholarship requirements.

If a parent purchases an item out of pocket that is identical to one within MyScholarShop for a lesser amount, the parent must be reimbursed for that item if it is eligible for their scholarship program.

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

More information on how to use MyScholarShop can be found here.

MyScholarShop Guidelines

The parent or guardian should ensure they have 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 the order. The approved pre-authorization number must be included in the appropriate field to avoid a delay or denial of order.
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. Parents and guardians should confirm their listed mailing address before completing an order.
Step Up For Students reserves the right to deny requests.

MyScholarShop Returns

Returns are completed through the vendor they were purchased from and not through Step Up For Students. Items may not be returned to a store.

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.

Before making purchases out-of-pocket, submitting reimbursement requests, or ordering through MyScholarShop, parents and guardians should check to ensure:

The purchase is an eligible use of scholarship funds; and
The student has sufficient funds in their account to cover the purchase.

If a purchase was previously approved due to error, under another program, or under a previous year’s rules, that does not mean it will be approved in the future.

The parent or guardian may view the student’s account balance on the online statement provided in EMA. A family cannot receive reimbursements for amounts that exceed the available balance in the student’s account.

Step Up For Students approves purchases and reimbursement requests in accordance with Florida statutes related to the scholarship program, rules set by the Florida Department of Education, and internal policies and procedures.

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 and guardians who are active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces and received permanent change of station orders to this state or, at the time of renewal, whose home of record or state of legal residence is Florida are exempt from this and may have items shipped outside of Florida.

Fee 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 the 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.

Additional Purchasing Guidelines

Receiving Payments, Refunds, or Rebates

Parents or 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.

Frequency of Purchase Limits

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

If a device is purchased using scholarship funds prior to a frequency of purchase rule being implemented, that purchase will still count toward the rule. For example, a camera purchased on June 1, 2026, will still count toward the two-year rule for cameras that was implemented on July 1, 2025, and an additional camera will not be able to be purchased with scholarship funds until June 2, 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.

Frequency of purchase rules apply to all scholarship programs, even if a student changes programs. For example, if a parent or guardian purchased a camera with FES-EO/FTC funds on November 10, 2025, the student would not be eligible to purchase a camera using any other scholarship until November 11, 2027.

More details are available in the program 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.

Replacement of lost devices will not be approved.

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

Direct Payment To Eligible Private Schools

Full-Time Eligible Private School Students

Students with a private school scholarship (all FES-EO and FTC students) must enroll in a participating private school through EMA. A list of schools eligible to serve scholarship students can be found in the Florida Private Schools Directory.

Once a student’s enrollment is confirmed, the school can receive payment of scholarship funds by submitting an invoice for tuition and fees and the parent or guardian has approved payment to the school.

Step Up For Students commits eligible private school tuition and fees from student’s account quarterly before a parent or guardian can access any remaining scholarship funds.

Note: If a school charges more than a student’s scholarship amount for tuition and fees, families may pay for the difference using rollover funds in their account.

⚠️ Important:

If a student attends the school for at least ten (10) days during a quarterly payment period, the school will receive the full distribution for that quarter.
The agreed-upon tuition rate between the private school and the parent or guardian may not exceed the school’s published rate for the student’s grade level.
Some private schools may offer financial assistance, so the agreed-upon rate may include discounts or other considerations.
If the school’s tuition exceeds the scholarship award amount, the parent or guardian is responsible for paying the difference, either by working directly with the school or by using available rollover funds in the scholarship account.

The student’s scholarship award is allocated for the private school’s tuition and fees and applied to the quarterly payments before any remaining funds can be used for other eligible expenses.

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

Students enrolled full-time at an eligible private school may use any scholarship funds remaining after paying for full-time tuition and fees to take individual classes or participate in extracurricular activities at a different eligible private school.

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

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

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

Payments made to a private school that is not approved by the Florida Department of Education to participate in a student’s scholarship program cannot be reimbursed.

How To Use Direct Billing

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.

More information on how to use the EMA marketplace can be found here.

How To Request Reimbursement

Parents and 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.

Step Up For Students approves reimbursement of items within the guidance of Florida statutes related to the scholarship programs, as well as Florida Department of Education rules and Step Up For Students policies and procedures.

Step-by-step instructions for submitting a reimbursement request in EMA are available here.

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 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by July 31, 2026. 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 once the requested information is received.

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 Advance Services	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 of 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 July 31, 2027, but the proof of purchase may be dated July 1, 2026, 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.

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 Statuses

As a reimbursement is processed in EMA, it will progress through three 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.

Once the reimbursement is completed, it will be flagged as either:

Approved: The reimbursement request will be fulfilled for the identified purchase, and payment is on the way.
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 Appeals.
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 thirty (30) days, it will automatically be denied, and the parent or guardian will need to submit a new reimbursement request.

Advance Reimbursement

Parents and 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 September 1^st for reimbursement of tutoring fees paid through the end of December.

Requests submitted for services more than four months in advance may be approved through the remainder of the school year, up to one year, if the provider attests that the services paid in advance are non-refundable. Reimbursements for services that will take place in the following school year should not be submitted until July 1^st of that school year.

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.

Submitting Reimbursement Supporting Documentation

For a reimbursement request to be approved, the parent or guardian will need to show proof of payment and that the purchase is a qualified use of scholarship funds.

Invoices and receipts must include a clear breakdown of all costs, such as the base cost, taxes, fees, coupons, discounts, 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.

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.

Proof of Payment

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

Receipt showing the full 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.
PayPal receipt showing the full transaction date (MM/DD/YY), provider name, amount paid, and funding source.
Check showing the front and back of the cleared check, full payment date (MM/DD/YY), provider name, and amount paid. (Please black out the routing and full account numbers.)

Demonstration that an invoice has been paid in full includes a “paid in full” stamp, the display of the invoice amount and payment amount, or a zero balance.

If the provider’s name on the proof of payment does not match the provider listed on the invoice or receipt, supporting documentation from the provider will be required to explain the difference (this can be in the form of a letter).

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 but not limited to 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.

Cash, Checks, & Private Sellers

Cash payments to a provider require a signed, dated letter from the provideron their letterhead that includes:

Provider’s name
Scholarship student’s first and last name
Description of service (tuition, registration, etc.)
Date of full payment (mm/dd/yy)
Amount of purchase
Method of payment (cash/check)

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) will be denied.

When making purchases from private sellers, payment in the form of a personal or cashier’s check, money order, PayPal, Venmo or other electronic payment method is required. This form of payment provides verification of the purchase, which is required for reimbursement.

When submitting a cashier’s check, a copy of the cashier’s check or a bank receipt confirming the purchase is required.

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.

Documenting Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds

Each purchase category has specific requirements for documentation demonstrating that it qualifies as an eligible use of scholarship funds.

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, 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:

All pages of the internet bill
Proof of payment that matches both the payment method and the service dates listed on the internet bill
Service address that matches the physical address listed in the guardian profile in EMA

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

Streaming Services

The invoice or receipt must include:

Provider or company name
Description of the item purchased (i.e. which streaming package)
Full date of purchase or service
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:

Provider’s company or league name, if applicable
Type of service rendered
Time period of service rendered (e.g. date range of services, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.), including the year
Service rate
Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section).

⚠️ Important: The scholarship student’s first and last name are required for classes, instructional services, and lessons. They are not required for purchased goods, rentals, or general admission tickets.

Electives & Enrichment

Reimbursement requests for elective classes, enrichment classes, 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 (3) years of experience in the relevant subject area as demonstrated by a full LinkedIn profile or resume
Currently enrolled 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

Additionally, 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, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.)
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 listed under Electives & Enrichment.

Florida Department of Education Approved Pre-Apprenticeship Program

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

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

More information about FLDOE approved pre-apprenticeship programs can be found here.

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, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.)
Tutor’s hourly rate (not required for Choice Navigator services)
Total amount due for the service
Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

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

Documentation of Credentials

To qualify as a part-time tutor or a Choice Navigator, a provider needs to document their credentials in English.

If the provider of these services has not already been approved in EMA, reimbursement requests for these services should include documentation of their credentials.

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, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.)
A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

Tuition & Fees At An Eligible Private School

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:

Tuition and fee rates
School’s published tuition and fee rates
Annual tuition rate for the scholarship student
Invoice that includes:
- School’s name and address
- Scholarship student's first name and last name as listed in EMA
- Date of invoice (mm/yy)
School year the payment is for
Proof of Payment (see Proof of Payment section)

️⚠ Important:

School lunch and before- and after-school care are not eligible expense. 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 reimbursement 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.

Description of each payment to be reimbursed, including tuition, registration fees, book fees, etc. The program Purchasing Guide lists prohibited and eligible fees. School lunch and before- and after-school care are not covered.

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.

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 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, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.)
A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

Tuition & Fees For An Eligible Postsecondary Institution 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, Semester 1, Winter 1 Session, Fall Semester, etc.)
Amount of tuition and fees
Proof of payment, on institutional letterhead, if appliable (see Proof of Payment section)

Dual Enrollment

Private school scholarship 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.

👉 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 or FES-EO scholarship eligibility, provided the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the Private School Family Handbook.

Fees For Annual Testing and Academic Services, Including Test Proctoring & Administration

Reimbursement requests must include:

Scholarship student’s first and last name
Date of the evaluation or test, including year
Description of the services provided
Amount of fees for the evaluation or test
Documentation of the teacher’s Florida Department of Education certification number or psychologist’s Florida Department of Health license number or a proctor approved by the Florida Department of Education to administer annual assessments
Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)

Reimbursement Process

As a reimbursement is processed in EMA, it will progress through different 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 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 Appeals.
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 thirty (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

Here, you can update the initial reimbursement request and provide additional documentation. After the appeal decision is made, additional appeals for the same item will not be reviewed.

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.

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:

SFO determines the student is not eligible for program renewal.
The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of funds.
Misrepresenting or withholding information on the scholarship application or reimbursement documentation.
Failure to satisfy compulsory state attendance requirements.
Failure of the parent or guardian to approve quarterly scholarship payments.
Failure of the student to take a required nationally norm-referenced test or the statewide assessment.
Moving or residing outside of the State 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. However, 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.
Fraudulent activity, including taking possession of any scholarship funds by refund, resale, rebate, or credit from a provider or direct good purchase.
Student graduates high school or reaches twenty-one (21) years of age, whichever occurs first.
Allowing another party, including a provider or school representative, to access or manage a student’s scholarship account.

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.

Parent & Guardian Rights & Responsibilities

Parents and guardians of scholarship students are subject to all scholarship program rules and responsibilities, including the annual Sworn Compliance Statement, Terms & Conditions in EMA, relevant statutes, and rules set by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).

Parents or guardians of students receiving and using scholarship funds may not take possession of scholarship funds at any time and are prohibited from being paid from scholarship funds for services provided to their own scholarship student.

The terms outlined in this handbook are subject to change.

Access To School District Courses & Services

Parents and guardians may use their student’s scholarship to pay for classes or services provided by public schools if they have any leftover funds after paying for their private school tuition and fees. Public schools may not report the student to the state for funding. If a public school reports a scholarship student for public funding, that student may lose their scholarship, even if they only attend the public school on a part-time basis.

A scholarship student who pays for services from a public school or district is considered to be attending a public school part time as authorized under Florida Statute 1002.44. Please see the Scholarship Participation Requirements section for more information on public school enrollment.

Data Confidentiality

The information available behind the parent or guardian login in EMA is personal and confidential.

A parent or guardian may not assign the responsibility for submitting any application or reimbursement documentation to another user and must not provide anyone, including service providers or personnel at a private school, access to a student’s scholarship account by providing a username and password.

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.

Doing so may result in a loss of scholarship eligibility and funding, or financial or criminal penalties. Step Up For Students will not be responsible for changes or purchases made by anyone other than the account owner if the login information has been shared.

This policy is intended to prevent misuse of scholarship funds and protect the confidentiality of sensitive financial and educational information that belongs to students and their parents or guardians.

Data Security

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

Full account password or any part of it
Full social security number
- SSN is not required for participation in the FTC scholarship program, but it is required for participation in the FES-EO scholarship program
- Step Up may ask for the last 4 digits for account verification purposes
Credit card number or banking details
Any personal identification numbers other than the PIN provided on the scholarship application

Parents and guardians who receive any communication requesting this type of information or have received a suspicious email should not respond or click on any links. Instead, they should 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 asking for 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.

Maintaining Up-To-Date Contact Information

Parents and guardians should keep contact information current, especially their primary email address. This is the primary way Step Up For Students will communicate important information related to a student’s scholarship.

Parents and guardians should update email filters to accept messages from Step Up For Students so emails are not sent to spam or junk folders.

If there is a change of physical or mailing address, telephone number, cell phone number or email address, the information must be updated in EMA. Parents and guardians should contact Step Up For Students to update their Proof of Residency.

Annual Assessment Requirement

Students in grades 3-10 attending an eligible private school using an FTC or FES-EO scholarship are required to take a nationally norm-referenced test identified by the Florida Department of Education or the statewide assessments pursuant to Florida Statute 1008.22.

More information, including a list of approved assessments, is available at the Florida Department of Education. The student’s private school will submit their scores to Step Up For Students

Students with disabilities for whom standardized testing is not appropriate are exempt from this requirement. These students must submit the Standardized Testing Exemption Form to Step Up For Students.

Continuing Program Eligibility

Once a student’s scholarship has been funded, a parent or guardian may submit a renewal application each year to continue with the scholarship 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.

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

If a student turns twenty-one (21) years old, graduates high school, or enrolls full-time in public school, 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 after two (2) years without any spending activity.

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 the program includes a private school that is approved by the Florida Department of Education, the student’s scholarship funds may be available to cover the cost of tuition and fees.

For More Information

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.

Scholarships

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Ways To Give

Research & Reports

About

Resources

NextSteps

Private School Family Handbook

Table of Contents

2026-27 Private School Family Handbook

Scholarship Overview

About Step Up For Students

Our Work

Our Mission

Qualifying & Applying For A Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements

Applying For A Scholarship

Application Deadlines

Timeline

Application Deadline Exceptions

How To Accept The Scholarship

Timeline

Process

Creating Your EMA Account

Entering Your Information

Uploading Required Documentation

Proof of Residency For Active-Duty Military Families

Award Prioritization

Household Members

Proof of Income

No Priority

Uploading Required Documentation for Special Application Statuses

Adoption Status

Active-Duty Military Status

Law Enforcement Officer Status

Foster Status

Scholarship Participation Requirements

Full-Time Equivalent Crosscheck

Public School Enrollment Prohibition

Full-Time Private School Enrollment Requirements

Transferring Among Participating Private Schools

Leaving The Scholarship Program

Grade Level Changes

Grade Level Change Funding Timeframe

Submitting Required Documentation for Grade Level Change

How To Get Your Scholarship Funds

Funding Amounts

Scholarship Funding Requirements

Funding Proration

Scholarship Funding Schedule

Enrollment Deadlines

Funding Continuation & Rollover

Accrued Interest

Timeline

Funding Errors and Adjustments

Funding Discontinuation

Funding Revocation

Invoice Approval Requirement

Funding Transfers Between Scholarship Funding Organizations

Student Applied with Another SFO and Has Not Been Funded

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

Switching Between Scholarship Programs

Out-of-State Expenses

Activities and Field Trips

Other Out-of-State Rules

How to Spend Your Scholarship Funds

Eligible Expenses

Making Successful Purchases

What is the EMA Marketplace?

MyScholarShop Guidelines

MyScholarShop Returns

Shipping Guidelines

Fee Guidelines

Pre-Authorization Requests

Additional Purchasing Guidelines

Receiving Payments, Refunds, or Rebates

Subscriptions or Online Programs

Conferences

Uniform Purchases under Eligible Private School Fees

Frequency of Purchase Limits