Reimbursement
Reimbursements provide another way to maximize purchasing flexibility. If you pay out of pocket for an eligible expense, you can submit a reimbursement request through EMA to be repaid from your child’s account.
Eligible Expenses
Before submitting a reimbursement request, you can confirm that the expense is eligible by reviewing the PEP Purchasing Guide. Be sure your student has enough available scholarship funds to cover the expense, and remember that eligibility requirements can change from year to year, so it's always a good idea to review the current Purchasing Guide before submitting your request.
Reimbursement Deadlines
| Reimbursement Type | Eligible Purchase Window | Reimbursement Request Window |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Reimbursements | July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 | July 1, 2025 - October 31, 2026 |
| 2026-27 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 Services in Advance | 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 |
Category Quick Links
The categories below highlight the eligible expenses for reimbursement through the PEP Scholarship. Each category links to the PEP Family Handbook, where you'll find detailed eligibility requirements, documentation examples and important purchasing guidelines.
Reviewing the handbook before submitting your request can help ensure you include the correct documentation, avoid common issues and receive your reimbursement as quickly as possible.
Home education instructional program
At an eligible postsecondary institution, including those participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)
- For dual enrollment
- For a full-time private tutoring program
- At an approved online or virtual provider
- As a private-pay student for Florida Virtual School
- At an FLDOE approved pre-apprenticeship program
Standardized testing fees, including test proctoring and administration
Contracted services provided by a public school or school district
Looking for More Guidance?
The PEP Family Handbook provides detailed information on proof of payment for private school tuition through tuition management systems, payments made with credit card points, gift cards, or other cash equivalents, advance service reimbursements, and purchase limitations. You'll also find documentation requirements and helpful examples to make submitting your reimbursement request easier.
Out-of-State Expenses
Some out-of-state educational expenses are eligible for reimbursement. If you're planning to use your scholarship for physical education activities or educational field trips outside of Florida, must obtain pre-authorization before submitting your reimbursement request.
Exception for Military Families
If you're an approved military family residing outside of Florida, pre-authorization is not required. You can submit your reimbursement request directly with the required documentation.
For additional guidance on using your scholarship for eligible out-of-state expenses, including pre-authorization requirements and required documentation, please refer to the PEP Family Handbook.
Supporting Documentation for Proof of Payment
To make sure reimbursement requests are handled smoothly, families will need to provide documentation showing that the parent or guardian paid for the purchase.
The following documents can serve as proof that the parent or guardian paid for the purchase:
- A receipt including the complete 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. Demonstration that it has been paid in full includes a “paid in full” stamp, the display of the invoice amount and payment amount, or a zero balance.
Please note:
- An invoice that does not show payment in full, or that does not list how payment was made, will not be accepted.
- If the provider’s name on your proof of payment differs from the provider listed on the invoice or receipt, you’ll need to include supporting documentation from the provider, such as a letter, to explain the difference.
Get Started
Set Up Your Preferred Payment Method
You can choose to receive your funds by direct deposit (ACH), check or PayPal. Follow our Reimbursement Payment Methods Guide to make your selection.
Submit Your Reimbursement Request with Confidence
Follow our step-by-step Reimbursement Request Instructions to ensure your reimbursement request is submitted accurately and avoid any delays.
Congratulations!
Be sure to monitor your email and your EMA account for any updates or requests for additional documentation. Please allow up to 60 days for your reimbursement request to be fully reviewed once all required documents have been submitted.
As a reminder, reimbursements are tied to the school year in which purchases were made. For the 2025–26 school year, you may submit reimbursement requests by October 31, 2026, as long as the purchase occurred between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
If a reimbursement request is denied, parents or guardians may appeal the decision once through EMA. To do this, go to the Reimbursements tab on the left side of the dashboard. Find the denied reimbursement request and open it. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see a red APPEAL button. Click this button to start your appeal for the original reimbursement request. Here, you can update the initial reimbursement request and provide additional documentation.
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.
