Parent PEP - Page 2 - Step Up For Students

Will I have to pay back PEP scholarship funds I’ve already spent if I leave the program?

No. Spent funds will not have to be paid back if you leave the program.

Will the PEP scholarship money be returned to the state if I leave the program?

Scholarship funds may be required to be returned to the state in cases where students are found ineligible to receive the scholarship funds.

When is the appropriate time to terminate my home education program with my school district?

Parent PEP

You should terminate your home education program as soon as your PEP scholarship is funded. Your award letter can serve as documentation that your child is now participating in the scholarship program. For more on what to do once your child is awarded a scholarship, see this video.

What do I do if we are awarded and funded PEP, but am still unsure and want to go back to Home Education? How does withdrawing work?

Parent PEP

You can withdraw from PEP anytime by logging in to EMA and selecting the “Decline” button. If you've already withdrawn from your Home Education Program after receiving the PEP scholarship, you'll need to reestablish it by sending a letter of intent to your district. If you haven't withdrawn from your Home Education Program, declining PEP will end your PEP enrollment while maintaining your Home Education Program enrollment with your district.

What if I do my evaluation early, and apply for PEP but I don't get awarded? Will I be truant? How does this work?

Parent PEP

Your child could be found truant if you do not complete an evaluation and do not receive a funded PEP scholarship. New PEP students should complete the home education evaluation as a precaution. Please do not withdraw as a home education student in your school district if you have not been funded, or do not wish to use, a PEP scholarship.

I’m renewing my child’s PEP scholarship; will I need to have an evaluation done before I apply?

Parent PEP

Current PEP students who were awarded and funded on the PEP scholarship in the previous school year are required to take a FLDOE approved norm-referenced test, during the year they use PEP, and submit test scores to their SFO. You can submit these scores to your account in EMA; however, a home education evaluation is not required for new or renewal PEP applications.

How can I apply if I haven't done my evaluation yet? Will I miss my chance to apply for PEP?

Parent PEP

By law, home education and PEP are two distinct education options in Florida, so a home education evaluation is not required for new or renewal PEP applications. Scholarship availability is first come, first served. Once funded a PEP scholarship you will need to notify your school district of your intent to use the PEP scholarship and withdraw from home education in the district.

My student is on PEP, will my child need to take a test and submit test scores to Step Up?

Parent PEP

Yes. All PEP students, grades K-12, must take a state-approved norm-referenced test annually, and submit the results to the SFO.

What is the Student Learning Plan?

Parent PEP

Student Learning Plan (SLP) is a customized learning plan developed by parents or guardians and revised, at least annually, to guide instruction for their students and to address the services needed to fulfill their academic needs. PEP parents and guardians must complete a Student Learning Plan for each student prior to funding.

Am I required to complete a Student Learning Plan (SLP) if my student attends a physical school at least two days a week?

Parent PEP

Yes, an SLP is required for all PEP students, whether they attend a physical school or not.

What do I do if my student’s physical school is not listed as an option?

Parent PEP

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) approves private schools to participate in serving PEP students. Be sure to confirm your school has emailed [email protected] indicating they wish to participate. It could be that the school was not approved by FL-DOE.

A new private school opened that will enroll home education students. Can I use PEP to pay the required tuition? 

Parent PEP

If the school employs a teacher that the student meets with at the school’s physical location at least twice a week and the family has a Student Learning Plan that outlines all other instructional days, then yes, you may use your PEP scholarship to pay tuition at the school. 

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General FAQs

What is the scholarship amount for my county?

My student was attending a private school on scholarship, but now we attend a public school. What happened to my scholarship? Am I eligible for anything else?

What if I want a different scholarship for my student?

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time for my child?

I’m active-duty military and currently live out of state, but I’ve been assigned to a base in Florida and plan to move soon. Are my children eligible for a scholarship?

I’m an active-duty military and a resident of Florida, but I’ve been assigned to a base outside of Florida and plan to move soon. Can my children still keep their scholarship?

Private School FAQs

If I unenroll my student from a private school, how long do I have to choose another private school?

I applied for a Private School Scholarship. Can I apply for another scholarship as a backup?

What might cause my student to lose their scholarship?

I’m active-duty military and currently live out of state, but I’ve been assigned to a base in Florida and plan to move soon. Are my children eligible for a scholarship?

Unique Abilities FAQs

Can I get FES-UA and VPK for my preschool student?

Can I use the FES-UA funds to pay for private school tuition and fees for my pre-K student?

Where can I see the scholarship values by county?

How much will the FES-UA scholarships be worth in 2025-26?

Is the FES-UA enrollment cap increasing?

PEP FAQs

Will I have to pay back PEP scholarship funds I’ve already spent if I leave the program?

Will the PEP scholarship money be returned to the state if I leave the program?

When is the appropriate time to terminate my home education program with my school district?

What do I do if we are awarded and funded PEP, but am still unsure and want to go back to Home Education? How does withdrawing work?

What if I do my evaluation early, and apply for PEP but I don't get awarded? Will I be truant? How does this work?

I’m renewing my child’s PEP scholarship; will I need to have an evaluation done before I apply?

How can I apply if I haven't done my evaluation yet? Will I miss my chance to apply for PEP?

My student is on PEP, will my child need to take a test and submit test scores to Step Up?

What is the Student Learning Plan?

Am I required to complete a Student Learning Plan (SLP) if my student attends a physical school at least two days a week?

What do I do if my student’s physical school is not listed as an option?

A new private school opened that will enroll home education students. Can I use PEP to pay the required tuition?

New Worlds FAQs

How much is the New Worlds Scholarship Account worth?

How do I demonstrate that my student has substantial deficiencies in math or reading literacy so we can qualify for the New Worlds Scholarship?

My student is attending a private preschool or private daycare. Can I still get a New Worlds Scholarship Account?

My student has a New Worlds Scholarship Account and is attending a public-school full time. Can I also apply for the new K-8 Transportation Stipend?

Transportation FAQs

Do I have to report the Transportation Stipend as income on my taxes?

My student attends a virtual school, but can we use the Transportation Stipend to cover expenses related to field trips or other assignments that may require travel?

I have students attending different public schools, can I get more than one Transportation Stipend?

How much is the Transportation Stipend worth?

I applied for a Transportation Stipend for my student to attend another public school. Can I also apply for another scholarship?

A new private school opened that will enroll home education students. Can I use PEP to pay the required tuition? 

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time for my child? 

I’m active-duty military and currently live out of state, but I’ve been assigned to a base in Florida and plan to move soon. Are my children eligible for a scholarship? 

I’m active-duty military and currently live out of state, but I’ve been assigned to a base in Florida and plan to move soon. Are my children eligible for a scholarship? 

A new private school opened that will enroll home education students. Can I use PEP to pay the required tuition? 

How do I demonstrate that my student has substantial deficiencies in math or reading literacy so we can qualify for the New Worlds Scholarship? 

My student has a New Worlds Scholarship Account and is attending a public-school full time. Can I also apply for the new K-8 Transportation Stipend? 