Apply for a PEP Scholarship
The PEP Scholarship application for the 2026-27 school year was available February 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026.
Families who meet certain criteria may qualify for a deadline exception. See if you qualify.
Active-Duty Military: Dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces are exempt from the scholarship application deadline. They will be asked to provide proof of the active-duty military status of the parent or guardian by uploading the Service Member’s Leave and Earnings Statement for the month the application was submitted.
Foster or Out-of-Home: Children in foster or out-of-home care are exempt from the scholarship deadline can provide proof of foster status, by uploading a copy of the Foster Placement Documentation, or other similar legal documentation dated within the last two calendar years under the "Additional Documents" section of the application.
Please note: Students who previously applied for one program during the school year cannot use their deadline exception status to re-accept that program if they did not use it or to switch to a different program later in the year.
Parents and guardians with these exceptions who are applying for a scholarship outside of the application season will need to call Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 to have an application opened for their student.
We’re honored to support the families who serve our nation.
If you’re a military family, Step Up For Students can help you access education scholarships designed for flexibility and choice.
Find out what’s available to your family and take the first step toward applying today.
Ready to Apply?
Step 1
Gather Your Documents
To help you complete your application, our checklist outlines the documents you’ll need to verify the following:
1) Child's Age
2) Proof of Florida Residency
PROOF OF RESIDENCY ACCEPTED DOCUMENTS
Proof of Residency must be established with two (2) different document types and provided by the primary or secondary guardian.
For more support, please see our checklist.
All submitted documents must be valid and current:
A utility bill must have been dated within the past two months of the date you submit your application.
List the full names of the primary parent or guardian, as well as any additional parents or guardians.
Match the home address listed on the student’s application.
Both proof of residency documents must be in the name of the same guardian.
An expired driver’s license or ID card will not be accepted.
Step 2
Create Your EMA Account
Start by watching this quick video or if it's easier, you can follow the step-by-step guide—once you are ready, create your parent or guardian profile to begin your journey.
Step 3
Apply for Your Child’s Scholarship
Once your EMA account is ready, you can begin your application with confidence.
Use our application guide for helpful tips and a smooth experience.
From your dashboard, head to the "Available Scholarships" section to apply for the FTC-PEP Scholarship. You will be prompted to make sure all children you wish to apply for are added—remember, you can only submit one application per scholarship program.
Quick Reminder:
If you're applying for the FTC-PEP Scholarship, be sure to select “Florida Home School” or “Hybrid eligible private school” as your expected school type.