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FAQs

Apply For and Renew Your Child's Scholarship with EMA

Note: A scholarship student may only be associated with one parent or guardian profile and families should never create a secondary EMA account. 

If you are having trouble logging in to your EMA account after using the "Forgot Username" and/or "Forgot Password" functions, OR if your student's guardianship has changed, please contact us for support.

Hi, I’m EMA
your Education Market Assistant.

I’m here to help you manage your child’s education.

Within my portal, you can apply for a scholarship, use your scholarship dollars directly without having to pay out of pocket, explore schools and providers and much more. 

Season Close 24-25 App Support Form

To find your username:

  1. Click on “Forgot Username?” located on the EMA login page.
  2. Insert the email address used to create your EMA account
  3. Follow the instructions emailed to you to recover your username

If you no longer have access to the email address associated with your EMA account, we’ll need to verify your identity and update your account information. Please complete the form below so our team can assist you with regaining access.

To find your password:

  1. Click on “Forgot Password?” located on the EMA login page.
  2. Insert the email address used to create your EMA account
  3. Follow the instructions emailed to you to recover your password

If your EMA account is locked, we’ll need additional information to help you regain access. Please complete the form below so our team can review your request and unlock your account as quickly as possible.

If you’re having trouble completing the two-step verification process, we can help. Please fill out the form below so our team can verify your identity and assist you with restoring access to your EMA account.

Information about the scholarships we offer can be found here. Additional resources for parents/guardians can be found here.

You can find additional information regarding required documentation for each scholarship (for both new and renewal students) in the Application Checklist.

You can find additional information regarding required documentation for each scholarship (for both new and renewal students) in the Application Checklist.

When adding documents to EMA:

  • Ensure your file is under 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, PNG, or PDF format.
  • Upload one document per assessment (multiple pages are acceptable).
  • If needed, merge multiple files into a single PDF or compress the file to meet size requirements.
  • Verify that the document is not password-protected before uploading

Please note the 2025-26 application deadline is November 15, 2025, at 11:59p.m. EST.

Information about the scholarships we offer can be found here. Additional resources for parents/guardians can be found here. You can find additional information regarding required documentation for each scholarship (for both new and renewal students) in the Application Checklist.

If you need additional assistance the Step Up For Students Customer Engagement Center is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to support families with any questions or concerns.

PEP applications for the 2025-26 school year are closed. To be among the first to be notified when applications become available, sign up here.

The following students are excluded from the standard application deadline and can apply for a scholarship any time during the school year:

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

Parents and guardians with these exceptions applying for a scholarship outside of application season will need to call Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 to have an application opened for their student. The Customer Engagement Center is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.

Scholarship program statutes prohibit a student from applying for more than one scholarship for the same student at the same time.

If a parent or guardian has applied for one scholarship for their student and would like their student to participate in a different scholarship program, they must decline the first scholarship before applying for a different one. More information on how to decline a scholarship can be found here.

Scholarship program statutes prohibit a student from applying for more than one scholarship for the same student at the same time.

A scholarship for a student cannot be declined while an application is in a “Submitted” or “On Hold” status.

Scholarship program statutes prohibit a student from applying for more than one scholarship for the same student at the same time.

A scholarship for a student cannot be declined while an application is in a “Submitted” or “On Hold” status.

Only jpg, jpeg, gif, png, and bmp files allowed to be uploaded.

This technical issues form is intended for reporting problems encountered during the application submission process before the deadline. If you have already submitted your application, please log in to your EMA account for details regarding your application status.

Please use the instructions provided above to find your username.

Maximizing Your Experience in EMA

We want to ensure you have the best possible experience using EMA. If you encounter any difficulties, this guide offers helpful tips and actions you can take to resolve common issues.

Setting Yourself Up For Success

1

Choose the right environment

  • Use a desktop or laptop computer for optimal performance.
  • Google Chrome is recommended for the best user experience.
2

Ensure a stable connection

  • A reliable internet connection helps prevent interruptions.
  • If possible, use a wired connection for increased stability.
3

Use a compatible email address

  • Our system works best with .com email addresses for smoother processing and communication.
  • Use widely accepted .com email providers like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.
  • Avoid email extensions such as .es, .mx, .uk, .de, and .in, as they may cause account access and notification issues.

Troubleshooting Tips

Accessing Your Account

If you're having trouble logging in:

Double-check that you're entering the correct email and password.

Use the "Forgot Password" option in EMA if you need to reset your credentials.

If two-step verification is giving you trouble, our support team can assist during business hours.

Password Reset
Please use the "Forgot Password" option in EMA to reset your password.  If you are not able to complete Two-Step Verification, also known as Multi Factor Authentication, you will need a Step Up For Students representative to assist you with resetting your password.

Optimizing Your Browser

To ensure smooth navigation:

1

Refresh your browser data

  • Clear your cache and cookies
  • Log out of EMA
  • Close and reopen your browser before trying again
2

Explore alternative options

  • Try using a different browser if issues persist.
  • If available, attempt to access EMA from another computer.

Uploading Documents Successfully

When adding documents to EMA:

Ensure your file is under 5MB and in JPEG, JPG, PNG, or PDF format.

Upload one document per assessment (multiple pages are acceptable).

If needed, merge multiple files into a single PDF or compress the file to meet size requirements.

Verify that the document is not password-protected before uploading.

Handling Unexpected Messages

If you see an unfamiliar message or code:

1

Capture a screenshot for reference.

2

Note any specific numbers or codes displayed.

3

Reach out to our support team with:

Email subject: "EMA IT ASSISTANCE"

The screenshot you took

Any relevant numbers or error codes

Information about your device and browser

Streamlining Your Order Process

If you encounter difficulties while ordering:

1

Start fresh by emptying your cart

2

Add items one at a time

3

Proceed with submitting your order

Additional Tips for a Smooth Experience

Stay updated: Keep your browser and operating system current.

Simplify your setup: Temporarily disable browser extensions to rule out conflicts.

Try a fresh start: Use your browser's incognito or private browsing mode.

We're Here to Help

If you've tried these steps and still need assistance:

1

Gather all relevant details about your experience.

2

Take screenshots of anything unusual you've noticed.

3

Reach out to our support team with this information.

Security Reminder:
Step Up For Students (SUFS) will never ask for your SUFS account credentials or banking information by phone, text or email. Using third-party services to access your account violates our user agreement and may expose your data.

Questions? Call 1 (877) 735-7837 or email [email protected].

Visit our Security Center to learn more.
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