Scholarships for 
Personalized Education 
Program Students

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Personalized Education Program (PEP)?
PEP, funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, is an education savings account program that allows parents to customize the education of students who are not attending public or private schools full-time. PEP will allow parents to purchase instructional materials, pay for part-time tuition at public or private schools and even tuition and fees in home education instructional programs.

What are the requirements for a PEP student?

• Must be registered with a Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approved scholarship-funding organization (SFO)
• Must not be enrolled full-time in a public school, charter school, school for the deaf and blind, college preparatory academy, developmental research school, or juvenile justice school.
• Be at least age 5 by Sept 1, of the school year in which they wish to enroll.
• Must annually submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) to the SFO.
• Must take an FLDOE-approved national norm-referenced test and submit results to the SFO.
• Must complete a sworn compliance statement through the SFO.

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 the academic needs of their students.
• SLPs are only required for students in the Personalized Education Program.

What will this education savings account pay for?
Instructional material (including digital materials and internet resources), curriculum, tuition for full-time or part-time enrollment in a home education instructional program, education at an eligible postsecondary educational institution or approved apprenticeship program, fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced tests and other assessments, contracted services provided by a public school or school district, tuition and fees for part-time tutoring services, an approved virtual course, tuition as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School, and fees for a “Choice Navigator.”

How do I apply for a PEP scholarship if my student will not be in full-time private school?
Parents apply for the scholarship through a scholarship-funding organization like Step Up For Students

When can PEP students begin to apply?
Applications are now available. To apply, please click here.

How many PEP students can receive a scholarship?
The law limits the program to 20,000 students for the 2023-24 school year. The program will grow by 40,000 students per year thereafter.

Why do I have to apply through the Income-based scholarships (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship/FTC) to apply for PEP?
HB1 requires PEP students to be funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC). FTC and PEP students are both using the same funding source.

Will I have to officially terminate my home education program?
Yes, a student cannot be both registered in the PEP program and as a home education program student with the district. You will need to notify your school district of your intention to terminate your home education program and enroll as a PEP student through an SFO.

Is a PEP student permitted to take classes at a career and technical program or school?
Yes, you may pay for part-time enrollment through PEP.

Will the SFO issue a diploma if we are registered as a PEP student?
PEP students are treated the same as home education students in Florida for the purposes of graduating and earning a diploma. There is no diploma issued by the public school system or SFO in Florida for the completion of a home education program. A signed affidavit of completion (notarized letter, see here) submitted by the student’s parent attesting that the student has completed a home education program, pursuant to the requirements of s.1002.41, F.S. is the legal document of completion. As stated in s.1007 263(2)(a), F.S. it is equivalent to a high school diploma and is regularly accepted by state colleges and universities as proof of high school completion. This statement can be included on a student’s academic transcript or parent-issued diploma. While not required, some students elect to culminate their home education program by taking the General Educational Development (GED) test. A student is issued a diploma from the Department of Education upon passage of the GED. The toll-free number for information pertaining to the GED is 1-800-237-5113

Can PEP students be enrolled in Florida Unschoolers?
There would be no need since you are meeting the FL mandatory attendance requirements through the PEP program requirements.

Dual Enrollment and Extracurricular Activities

Will PEP enrollment cause me to lose access to Dual Enrollment programs?
No, PEP students are still eligible for free dual enrollment programs. You will not be required to pay for these courses with your PEP account.

Are PEP students eligible to participate in extracurricular activities with a public, private or charter school?
Yes. PEP students are offered the same flexibility as home education students.

Are PEP students eligible to participate in any interscholastic or intrascholastic activity at a public, private or charter school, or just athletics?
Yes. PEP students are offered the same flexibility as home education students.

Are PEP students allowed to participate in FHSAA athletic programs?
Yes. PEP students are allowed to participate in athletics like other non-traditional students. Read more on the FHSAA website here.

Who will verify the student is enrolled in the PEP for extracurricular activities?
The public school district where the student lives will maintain this responsibility.

 Will PEP students be required to follow all the by-laws and rules of the FHSAA??
 Any student participating in an FHSAA-sanctioned program must abide by their by-laws and rules.

Bright Futures Scholarships

Are PEP students eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship?
Yes. Students who were in 11th grade in home ed last year and switch to PEP this year will also retain eligibility.

How does a PEP student submit their volunteer hours?
Students will continue reporting volunteer hours to their local public school district.

How does Bright Futures enrollment work for a PEP student?
Students will be able to select “PEP” in a dropdown menu when apply for Bright Futures.

Does the SFO need to certify a PEP student’s enrollment in Bright Futures?
Your local school district will work with FLDOE to certify the student’s enrollment.

Testing

Is testing required?
PEP students are required to take a state-approved norm-referenced test and submit the results to their SFO before renewing the PEP scholarship. A list of approved tests can be found here.

Where can PEP students take the state-approved norm-referenced tests?
Test accommodations and location requirements vary by test. Some tests will require a test proctor in a school setting, but others may allow for tests to be taken at alternative locations. Click here for a list of state-approved tests.

What happens to my child’s test score?
It will be collected by their SFO and sent to the Learning Institute at Flordia State University for score reporting.

Scholarship Spending and Reimbursement

How do I use the scholarship funds?
Guardians may purchase goods and services directly and be reimbursed or may pay for goods and services with approved vendors through EMA and MyScholarShop.

Is the Reimbursement Card optional and can families still get reimbursed directly to their bank account?
Starting in 2023-24, reimbursement funds for new families will be deposited to the Reimbursement Card.

Is the Reimbursement Card preloaded with scholarship funds?
A Reimbursement Card is sent when you begin your first submission of a reimbursement request in EMA. The card will arrive within 5-7days and will not have funds preloaded. Once the reimbursement request is approved, the funds for that reimbursement will be loaded onto the card.

Do Parents/Guardians receive a different card for each student on scholarship?
Parents/Guardians will receive one (1) card for all of their students, regardless of program(s).

Will receiving reimbursements through the card take longer than before?
There will be no additional delay. The Reimbursement Card will take the same amount of time to process
as before.

What methods can be used to move funds from the card?
Resources such as Zelle®, Venmo® and PayPal® may be utilized to move funds from the card.

Why was the former reimbursement process/system replaced?
To optimize personal data security for our families, we are utilizing Reimbursement Cards for all
reimbursements which eliminates the need for Parents/Guardians to share their banking information.

How can families utilize the Reimbursement Card to pay their credit card bill off?
Families can use their Reimbursement Card to pay for goods, or they can transfer the balance to their personal account via Zelle®, PayPal®, or Venmo® or withdraw using an in-network ATM.

What are the fees associated with the Reimbursement Cards?
There are only a few fees associated with this card:
A $2 per month fee after 12 months of non-usage.
A fee for utilizing an ATM for withdrawal outside of the network.
A fee if the card is lost or needs to be replaced more than once in a 12-month period.

These fees are associated with the Reimbursement Card. Step Up does not earn any revenue from the use of these cards.

If there is an issue with the card, who do Parents/Guardians contact for help?
There is a dedicated customer service hotline for SUFS Reimbursement Card users. Call 888-863-0681.

Will Parents/Guardians be notified when Reimbursements are being processed?
Families will be notified by email once their reimbursement has been processed and funds have been added to your card. Reimbursement requests will be processed as they are received.

Does Zelle® report payments I receive over $600 to the IRS?
Zelle® does not report any transactions made on the Zelle Network® to the IRS, even if the total is more than $600. If payments you receive on the Zelle Network® are taxable, it is your responsibility to report them to the IRS. If you have any questions about your tax obligations, please consult with a tax professional.

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.