Scholarships for
Personalized Education
Program Students
Supporting Florida's Students Through Personalized Education
Florida students who are not full-time private nor full-time public school students now have access to the Personalized Education Program (PEP) through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program. Eligible students are provided an education savings account (ESA) that can be used to fund their educational needs.
For the 2023-24 school year, the program will serve 20,000 students and will grow by 40,000 PEP students annually.
For the 2023-24 school year, the program will serve 20,000 students and will grow by 40,000 PEP students annually.
Personalizing Education for Florida Students
Who Is Eligible?
Scholarships are available to all K-12 students who are residents of Florida and do not wish to enroll in full-time private or public school, regardless of household income. Students must be at least age 5 by September 1st of the school year in which they wish to enroll. An example of who may be interested in a PEP scholarship would be Florida’s home education students who are willing to satisfy the PEP requirements that include reporting to Step Up For Students instead of their home district.
First priority will be given to families whose household income is 185% of poverty or below as outlined in the income priority guidelines or who meet the following criteria:
- Renewing students of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and/or Family Empowerment Scholarship
- Children in foster care or out-of-home care
Second priority is extended to households whose income is 400% of poverty or less.
Find Resources
Search for a School Choice Navigator or get help with your Student Learning Plan
Search Available Resources
How Does It Work?
PEP Scholarships provide access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a bank account from which you direct funds to pay for:
Instructional Material
Curriculum
A virtual program approved by the FLDOE
Fees for services provided by a Choice Navigator*
Contracted services provided by a public school or school district, including classes
Tuition for a full-time or part-time enrollment in a home education instructional program
Fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced tests and other assessments
Tuition and fees for private tutoring programs
Tuition as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School
Education at an eligible postsecondary educational institution or approved apprenticeship program
What is Required?
There are three main requirements for PEP students.
- Student Learning Plans: PEP students must submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) annually. An SLP is simply a customized learning plan developed by parents to guide instruction for their students and to address the services needed to fulfill the academic needs of their student.
• Norm-Referenced Test: PEP students must take a Florida Department of Education approved national norm-referenced test and submit results to Step Up For Students annually.
- PEP Students must either:
- Withdraw from full-time public or private education and register with Step Up For Students as a PEP student OR
- Notify their school district of their intention to terminate their home education program and then enroll as a PEP student with Step Up For Students.
2023-2024 | ||
| Persons in family/household | Priority 1 up to 185% | Priority 2 185%-400% |
| 1 | Up to $26,973 | Up to $58,320 |
| 2 | $36,482 | $78,880 |
| 3 | $45,991 | $99,440 |
| 4 | $55,500 | $120,000 |
| 5 | $65,009 | $140,560 |
| 6 | $74,518 | $161,120 |
| 7 | $84,027 | $181,680 |
| 8 | $93,536 | $202,240 |
| 9 | $103,045 | $222,800 |
| 10 | $112,554 | $243,360 |
| 11 | $122,063 | $263,920 |
| Each additional member +$9,509 | Each additional member +20,560 | |
| Based on guidelines published by the Department of Health & Human Services in National Registry on January 2023 | ||
*A School Choice Navigator is an optional service provider intended to help guide parents through the myriad of choices that will become available to them through an ESA. A Choice Navigator is a educational professional who holds a valid Florida teacher certification, adjunct teacher certification, a bachelor or graduate degree in the subject area where any instruction is given, demonstrated mastery of subject area knowledge, or is certified through training from an internationally recognized research-based training program approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).)
Choice Navigator Frequently Asked Questions
- How does a person become a Choice Navigator (what are the requirements)?
- A Choice Navigator holds a valid Florida teacher certification, adjunct teacher certification, a bachelor or graduate degree in the subject area where any instruction is given, demonstrated mastery of subject area knowledge, or is certified through an internationally recognized research-based training program approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
- How much does it cost to pay for a Choice Navigator?
- The cost of the service will be determined by each Choice Navigator.
- Are Choice Navigators required?
- No, they are optional for all scholarship students. They are intended to help guide parents and guardians through the many educational choices available to them.
- What authority does the Choice Navigator have over the PEP student?
- None. The Choice Navigator is merely a guide to help you.
- Is the choice navigator required to meet with the student?
- No.
- Does the Choice Navigator have to meet with the parents in the student’s home?
- No.
- Is there a list of teachers qualified to be a Choice Navigator if I can’t find one on my own?
- Step Up will create a list of approved Choice Navigators once we have collected their information.
- How do I find a Choice Navigator?
- Choice Navigators will sign up and be listed in EMA as service providers, like part-time tutors.
Norm-Referenced Tests Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the testing requirement for PEP students?
- Students will be required to take a state-approved national norm-referenced test. Parents will send test results to the SFO.
- Which nationally norm-referenced tests are approved by the Department of Education for the PEP end of the year evaluation?
- The list of approved nationally norm-referenced tests can be found on the FLDOE website here.
- Can a PEP parent use any other type of evaluation for the end of the year evaluation?
- PEP parents must agree in the sworn compliance statement they sign with the SFO to require their student to take either a nationally norm-referenced test identified by the FL Department of Education or a statewide assessment under s. 1008.22, F.S. and provide assessment results to their SFO before the student’s program renewal each year.
- Does the nationally norm-referenced test serve as the end of the year evaluation?
- There is no end of the year evaluation requirement.
- Does the test score determine if the student is eligible for a scholarship renewal?
- No.
- Is there a minimum test score required for renewal of the PEP scholarship?
- No.
- Where does the parent send the test score?
- To the SFO with which their student is registered to participate in PEP.
- What happens to my child’s test score?
- It will be collected by their SFO and sent to the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University for aggregated test score reporting.
- Will my child’s name and other personally identifiable information be made public?
- No.
- Can my child take a norm-referenced test online?
- Students will have to abide by the rules of the norm-referenced test that their parents select for them to take.
General PEP Frequently Asked Questions
- What age is a student eligible for a PEP scholarship?
- Students must be age 5 by Sept. 1 in the school year in which they wish to enroll.
- Are PEP students required to register with the superintendent in the school district in which they live for attendance purposes?
- No, registering with an SFO as a PEP student satisfies the school attendance requirement. They will sign a sworn compliance statement with their SFO as required by statute.
- What is the Student Learning Plan and how will it affect my child’s education?
- A Student Learning Plan (SLP) is a customized learning plan developed by parents at least annually to guide instruction for their students and to address the services needed to fulfill their academic needs.
- SLPs are required only for students on the Personalized Education Program.
- Will the student learning plan determine what a parent can purchase with the scholarship funds?
- No, the SLP is designed to help parents meet their student's individual educational needs.
- Will the PEP students be required to declare a grade level?
- Yes. Student eligibility and scholarship values are dependent on the student’s grade level.
- Are PEP parents required to keep a record of the number of instructional hours/days each year as required of public and private schools?
- No. There are no specific hourly requirements for students in the PEP program.
- Can a parent transfer to a public or private school if they decide mid-year that they no longer wish to direct the education of their child?
- Yes.
- What if I want to change from PEP to private school?
- You would have to withdraw from the PEP program and apply for the private school scholarship program.
- Are parents required to submit their income tax return to apply for the PEP scholarship?
- If a parent wants their student to receive funding priority because their household income is below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, then yes, they will have to submit proof of income. If a parent does not want their student to receive funding priority, then no, they are not required to submit proof of income. They can submit Form 1070 instead of income documents. Parents will still be asked for their income on the scholarship application regardless, but they won’t be required to submit proof documentation.
- Will I have to officially terminate my home education program with my school district?
- Yes, you will need to notify your school district of your intention and enroll as a PEP student through an SFO.
- Can a student be enrolled full-time in a private school while receiving the PEP scholarship if scholarship funds are not used to pay tuition or fees?
- No, statute prohibits students from being both enrolled in a private school on a full-time basis and participating in the PEP program
- Can I use PEP for one child and the private school or transportation scholarship for the others?
- Yes. There is no restriction on what scholarships you may have for your children except that individual students may only have one scholarship at a time.
- Can I buy a laptop with my scholarship dollars?
- No, statute states “digital materials” not “digital devices”.
- Can my child attend Florida Virtual School and receive the PEP scholarship?
- Yes, but only if the PEP scholarship is used to pay tuition and fees as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School.
- Can I use PEP funds to pay for online courses and programs?
- Yes, you may use PEP funds to pay for FLDOE-approved online courses and programs. Those approved courses may be found at the FLDOE website here.
- What is the difference between Application ID, Student ID and Award ID in EMA?
- Your Application ID is the number assigned to your application in EMA, while the Student ID is the number assigned to your student (it will remain with them through all applications). The Award ID is the number given to your awarded scholarship to be used by schools to locate your student for enrollment under that scholarship. All IDs are automatically selected by EMA.
- I selected Reading (or Math or any item) on my child’s SLP. How do I find items to use in MyScholarShop to help my child?
- Visit the MyScholarShop Marketplace through the SAS portal (your account dashboard, select Go to MyScholarShop on the left rail menu), or through EMA using the Marketplace tab on your dashboard (left side). Search for items in any of the 5 categories available.
General PEP Frequently Asked Questions
- What age is a student eligible for a PEP scholarship?
- Students must be age 5 by Sept. 1 in the school year in which they wish to enroll.
- Are PEP students required to register with the superintendent in the school district in which they live for attendance purposes?
- No, registering with an SFO as a PEP student satisfies the school attendance requirement. They will sign a sworn compliance statement with their SFO as required by statute.
- What is the Student Learning Plan and how will it affect my child’s education?
- A Student Learning Plan (SLP) is a customized learning plan developed by parents at least annually to guide instruction for their students and to address the services needed to fulfill their academic needs.
- SLPs are required only for students on the Personalized Education Program.
- Will the student learning plan determine what a parent can purchase with the scholarship funds?
- No, the SLP is designed to help parents meet their student's individual educational needs.
- Will the PEP students be required to declare a grade level?
- Yes. Student eligibility and scholarship values are dependent on the student’s grade level.
- Are PEP parents required to keep a record of the number of instructional hours/days each year as required of public and private schools?
- No. There are no specific hourly requirements for students in the PEP program.
- Can a parent transfer to a public or private school if they decide mid-year that they no longer wish to direct the education of their child?
- Yes.
- What if I want to change from PEP to private school?
- You would have to withdraw from the PEP program and apply for the private school scholarship program.
- Are parents required to submit their income tax return to apply for the PEP scholarship?
- If a parent wants their student to receive funding priority because their household income is below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines, then yes, they will have to submit proof of income. If a parent does not want their student to receive funding priority, then no, they are not required to submit proof of income. They can submit Form 1070 instead of income documents. Parents will still be asked for their income on the scholarship application regardless, but they won’t be required to submit proof documentation.
- Will I have to officially terminate my home education program with my school district?
- Yes, you will need to notify your school district of your intention and enroll as a PEP student through an SFO.
- Can a student be enrolled full-time in a private school while receiving the PEP scholarship if scholarship funds are not used to pay tuition or fees?
- No, statute prohibits students from being both enrolled in a private school on a full-time basis and participating in the PEP program
- Can I use PEP for one child and the private school or transportation scholarship for the others?
- Yes. There is no restriction on what scholarships you may have for your children except that individual students may only have one scholarship at a time.
- Can I buy a laptop with my scholarship dollars?
- No, statute states “digital materials” not “digital devices”.
- Can my child attend Florida Virtual School and receive the PEP scholarship?
- Yes, but only if the PEP scholarship is used to pay tuition and fees as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School.
- Can I use PEP funds to pay for online courses and programs?
- Yes, you may use PEP funds to pay for FLDOE-approved online courses and programs. Those approved courses may be found at the FLDOE website here.
- What is the difference between Application ID, Student ID and Award ID in EMA?
- Your Application ID is the number assigned to your application in EMA, while the Student ID is the number assigned to your student (it will remain with them through all applications). The Award ID is the number given to your awarded scholarship to be used by schools to locate your student for enrollment under that scholarship. All IDs are automatically selected by EMA.
- I selected Reading (or Math or any item) on my child’s SLP. How do I find items to use in MyScholarShop to help my child?
- Visit the MyScholarShop Marketplace through the SAS portal (your account dashboard, select Go to MyScholarShop on the left rail menu), or through EMA using the Marketplace tab on your dashboard (left side). Search for items in any of the 5 categories available.
Choice Navigator Frequently Asked Questions
- How does a person become a Choice Navigator (what are the requirements)?
- A Choice Navigator holds a valid Florida teacher certification, adjunct teacher certification, a bachelor or graduate degree in the subject area where any instruction is given, demonstrated mastery of subject area knowledge, or is certified through an internationally recognized research-based training program approved by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
- How much does it cost to pay for a Choice Navigator?
- The cost of the service will be determined by each Choice Navigator.
- Are Choice Navigators required?
- No, they are optional for all scholarship students. They are intended to help guide parents and guardians through the many educational choices available to them.
- What authority does the Choice Navigator have over the PEP student?
- None. The Choice Navigator is merely a guide to help you.
- Is the choice navigator required to meet with the student?
- No.
- Does the Choice Navigator have to meet with the parents in the student’s home?
- No.
- Is there a list of teachers qualified to be a Choice Navigator if I can’t find one on my own?
- Step Up will create a list of approved Choice Navigators once we have collected their information.
- How do I find a Choice Navigator?
- Choice Navigators will sign up and be listed in EMA as service providers, like part-time tutors.
Norm-Referenced Tests Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the testing requirement for PEP students?
- Students will be required to take a state-approved national norm-referenced test. Parents will send test results to the SFO.
- Which nationally norm-referenced tests are approved by the Department of Education for the PEP end of the year evaluation?
- The list of approved nationally norm-referenced tests can be found on the FLDOE website here.
- Can a PEP parent use any other type of evaluation for the end of the year evaluation?
- PEP parents must agree in the sworn compliance statement they sign with the SFO to require their student to take either a nationally norm-referenced test identified by the FL Department of Education or a statewide assessment under s. 1008.22, F.S. and provide assessment results to their SFO before the student’s program renewal each year.
- Does the nationally norm-referenced test serve as the end of the year evaluation?
- There is no end of the year evaluation requirement.
- Does the test score determine if the student is eligible for a scholarship renewal?
- No.
- Is there a minimum test score required for renewal of the PEP scholarship?
- No.
- Where does the parent send the test score?
- To the SFO with which their student is registered to participate in PEP.
- What happens to my child’s test score?
- It will be collected by their SFO and sent to the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University for aggregated test score reporting.
- Will my child’s name and other personally identifiable information be made public?
- No.
- Can my child take a norm-referenced test online?
- Students will have to abide by the rules of the norm-referenced test that their parents select for them to take.