Step Up For Students Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Florida Scholarships

Step Up For Students empowers Florida students and families to build a stronger future through tailored educational opportunities. This handbook provides essential information about the various scholarship programs available, including the Personalized Education Program (PEP), the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA).

Understanding the Personalized Education Program (PEP)

The Personalized Education Program (PEP), funded through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, is an education savings account program designed to allow parents to customize the education of students who are not attending public or private schools full-time. This program provides an education savings account (ESA) to fund the educational needs of eligible students. The program aims to serve up to 140,000 students in the 2026-27 school year.

How PEP Works

PEP Scholarships provide access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a bank account. These funds can be used for various educational expenses, including:

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
Digital materials exclusive of digital devices such as a laptop

PEP Eligibility

Scholarships are open to any K-12 Florida residents not enrolled 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 they wish to enroll.

First priority is given to families with a household income of 185% of poverty or below as outlined in the income priority guidelines, renewing students of the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and/or Family Empowerment Scholarship, and children in foster care or out-of-home care. Second priority is extended to families with a household income of 400% of poverty or below. Parents who want their students to receive priority funding because of household income must submit their income tax return to apply for a PEP Scholarship.

PEP Requirements

PEP families must adhere to several requirements to maintain their scholarship:

Declare a grade level: This is used to determine student eligibility and scholarship values.
Submit and maintain a Student Learning Plan (SLP) annually: Parents develop this customized learning plan to guide instruction for their students and address the services needed to fulfill their child’s academic needs. It does not determine what a parent can purchase with scholarship funds. A Student Learning Plan (SLP) is a personalized plan created by parents or guardians to guide their child’s instruction and identify the services needed to support their academic success.
Withdraw from full-time public school or terminate a home education program: Families must withdraw as a full-time public school student or terminate a home education program with their school district and enroll as a PEP student with Step Up For Students.
Take a norm-referenced test annually: Students must take a norm-referenced test annually and submit the results to Step Up. Parents/Guardians of PEP students may choose from the same list of assessments that are approved for other scholarship students attending participating private schools. Alternatively, parents/guardians may arrange with their school district of residence to have their student take Florida's statewide assessments given to public school students. These assessments must be taken at a scheduled date and time and at a school site designated by the district*. These results are required for grades K-12 and will need to be submitted to Step Up before funding is distributed. You must contact your school district’s assessment office by their local deadline to register for statewide testing.
Complete a sworn compliance statement through the SFO.

Applying for PEP

Parents apply for the scholarship through a scholarship-funding organization like Step Up For Students.

PEP and Home Education

By law, Home Education and the PEP Scholarship are two separate education options in Florida. PEP Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

Even if you do your evaluation early, and apply for PEP but you don't get awarded, you won’t miss your chance.

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New PEP students should complete the home education evaluation as a precaution. A home education evaluation is not required for new or renewal PEP applications. However, students who were awarded and funded with a PEP scholarship in the previous school year must take a Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approved norm-referenced test during the year they use PEP.

If a child is awarded and funded for PEP, but a parent decides they want to return to Home Education through their public school district, that is not allowed, because Florida law allows only one active scholarship application per student at a time.

If you are awarded and funded PEP, but are still unsure and want to go back to Home Education, you can decline a scholarship.

If you don't complete an evaluation and do not receive a funded PEP scholarship, your child could be found truant.

PEP and Graduation

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. There would be no need since you are meeting the FL mandatory attendance requirements through the PEP program requirements.

PEP and Dual Enrollment

PEP students are still eligible for free dual enrollment programs. You will not be required to pay for these courses with your PEP account.

PEP Eligible Expenses

The education savings account will 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
Fees for a “Choice Navigator.”

Choice Navigators

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 Navigators will sign up and be listed in EMA as service providers, like part-time tutors.

Choice navigators provide consultations to students and families on The selection of, application for, and enrollment in educational options addressing the academics needs of the student, curriculum selection, and advice on career and postsecondary education opportunities. They must meet the same requirements as private tutors under FES.

Choice navigators are not permitted to oversee or exercise control over the curricula or academic programs of a personalized education program.

Choice Navigator 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).

Choice Navigator Costs

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.

The Choice Navigator is merely a guide to help you.

The Choice Navigator is not required to meet with the student or the parents in the student’s home.

Step Up will create a list of approved Choice Navigators once we have collected their information.

Private School Scholarships (FTC/FES-EO)

Step Up For Students proudly offers the Private School Scholarship that covers tuition and fees at eligible private schools, and any remaining funds can be used to support your child’s education through expenses like registration, books, testing and other approved fees. These scholarships are available through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO).

The new legislation expands the eligibility of the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) programs to allow K-12 students who are Florida residents to gain access to a scholarship, regardless of household income. Renewing families will continue to receive first priority. The ESAs allow for more flexibility in how scholarship funds can be invested in their child’s education.

How Private School Scholarships Work

Apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students. If approved, you can use the scholarship to attend an eligible private school, and any remaining funds can be accessed through your education savings account to pay for:

Instructional material
Curriculum
Tuition for full-time or part-time 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 as a private pay student at Florida Virtual School
Fees for a “Choice Navigator,” which is an optional service provider intended to help guide parents through the myriad of choices that will become available to them through their ESA.

Private School Scholarships Eligibility

Scholarships are available to all students, regardless of household income, who are residents of Florida and eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school.

Scholarships are awarded in the following order of priority:

Students who are renewing their Private School Scholarship (FTC or FES-EO)
Students whose household income does not exceed 185% of federal poverty level as outlined in the income priority guidelines or who are in foster care or out-of-home care
Students whose household income is between 185% and 400% of the federal poverty level as outlined in the income priority guidelines.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Private School & Unique Abilities Scholarship Families: We want to make sure your child’s path continues without interruption. Please submit your renewal application by Thursday, April 30. PEP Scholarship Families: To give every student the opportunity they deserve, all renewal and new applications must be submitted by Thursday, April 30.

Additional Information

You have 30 days to enroll your student in a new private school.

If you applied for a Private School Scholarship, you may not apply for more than one scholarship at a time for an individual student, because Florida law prohibits it.

The Hope Scholarship

The Hope Scholarship, created to support families whose K-12 students have experienced a bullying incident, allows students to participate in the Private School Scholarship Program. Families may apply at any time throughout the year following an eligible incident by using the Hope Notification Form.

Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, students who have experienced a bullying incident as described in Florida statute may apply for a Private School Scholarship at any time in the school year, regardless of application deadlines by using the Hope Notification Form.

The Private School Scholarship allows you to spend any remaining funds after tuition and fees are paid on things like tutoring or after-school activities.

Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides educational opportunities for students with unique abilities.

Eligibility for FES-UA

Students may use the Unique Abilities Scholarship and the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program at an eligible private school at the same time.

FES-UA Award Amounts

The Unique Abilities Scholarships vary based on a student’s grade level, county of residence and level of need. On average, scholarships are about $10,000.

General Scholarship Information

EMA Account Assistance

If you're unable to access the phone number linked to your EMA account or you're not receiving your MFA code, you may request an MFA reset. Please note: only the Primary Parent listed on the account can request this reset. For security reasons, we’re unable to process MFA resets for secondary contacts or other family members. If you're the Primary Parent and need help, feel free to call us directly so we can assist you.

Application Status in EMA

Here’s what each status in EMA means for your student’s application:

Draft - Not yet submitted. Complete all sections, upload documents, and submit.
Submitted - Received but not yet reviewed. Check back soon.
Pending - Under review.

Invoicing in EMA

Here is how to invoice in EMA for your services.

Eligibility Requirements

Important: A parent or guardian with a legal domicile in Florida but who are currently on orders to another state is not eligible to apply for the scholarship for the first time. Previous ties to Florida, such as having lived in the state or holding a past Florida identification card, are not sufficient for eligibility.

However, if you are an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida, you will be eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) and the PEP Scholarship before you make your move.

Allowable Expenses

Cameras are eligible for reimbursement under all scholarships (PEP, Unique Abilities, and Private School) as equipment for an elective course within the Instructional Material category.

Scholarship Continuity

Using Remaining Funds

Following the end of eligibility, families may continue to access and utilize any remaining funds in the student’s scholarship account for approved educational expenses until the balance is fully spent.

Notification Requirements

Please note that parents and guardians must notify Step Up For Students immediately if their scholarship student enrolls in public school or intends to apply for a different scholarship program.

Participating Schools

Check with your preferred school to make sure they have contacted the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) about participating. The FLDOE approves private schools to participate in serving scholarship students. A new private school opened that will enroll home education students.

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