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Quick answer
Step Up for Students publishes a separate purchasing guide for each scholarship. The UA guide and the PEP guide each list the authorized expense categories, the items that need pre-authorization, and the items that are prohibited. You can find the current versions on the official Step Up for Students purchasing guides page, and checking the right guide before you buy is the simplest way to avoid a rejected reimbursement.
Tutoring is covered on UA and PEP
Approved providers bill EMA directly, so families pay $0 out of pocket. Pick your scholarship:
What are the Step Up for Students purchasing guides?
Florida law requires scholarship funding organizations to publish purchasing guidelines and update them at least once a year. The guides explain which products and services count as authorized uses of scholarship funds. They are written to help families stay in compliance, not to prescribe a particular education program.
There are three guides on the official page: the FES-UA Purchasing Guide, the PEP Purchasing Guide, and the Private School Purchasing Guide. The UA guide is developed by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, and Step Up links to it from the same page. The PEP guide is published by Step Up directly. Both are revised regularly, so always open the current version rather than a saved copy.
Families on FES-EO or FTC private school scholarships use the private school guide. Those scholarships cover tuition and fees, not tutoring or curriculum, so this article focuses on UA and PEP.
How do the UA and PEP purchasing guides differ?
The two guides share a lot of structure and wording. Both cover instructional materials, curriculum, tuition and fees, testing, and part-time tutoring. The biggest differences are in technology and specialized services.
| Topic | UA purchasing guide | PEP purchasing guide |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops, tablets, phones | Eligible, once every two years | Listed as prohibited |
| Therapies (ABA, speech, OT, PT) | Eligible from approved providers | Not an authorized category |
| Televisions over 55 inches | Pre-authorization required | Prohibited |
| Live online classes | Allowed through tutoring or approved online providers | Only through an approved online or virtual provider; full-time online instruction is prohibited |
| Part-time tutoring | Eligible with a qualified teacher | Eligible with a qualified teacher |
The UA guide also includes categories PEP does not, such as horse therapy, music and art therapy, transition services from job coaches, specialized summer and after-school programs, and contributions to Florida college savings plans. If your child switches scholarships, do not assume an item approved under one guide is approved under the other.
How are expense categories organized?
Both guides group purchases under a few large headings. The main ones are:
- Instructional materials: books, school supplies, digital materials, educational software, subscription kits, manipulatives, sensory materials, lab materials, electives, P.E., field trips, internet service, and at-home classroom furnishings.
- Curriculum: a complete course of study for a subject or grade level, including required supplemental materials.
- Tuition and fees: eligible private schools, home education programs, postsecondary institutions, dual enrollment, approved online providers, and tutoring.
- Testing and assessments: AP exams, norm-referenced tests, industry certification exams, and similar assessments.
A few general rules apply across categories. Items shared with siblings are prorated to cover only the scholarship student's share. Some equipment has a frequency limit, usually once every two years. Cash payments to private sellers are not reimbursable. Items must also meet the manufacturer's minimum age for your child. For a plain list of what is usually approved, see our guide to what you can and can't buy with Step Up for Students.
What needs pre-authorization before you buy?
Many items are already approved by being listed in the guide. Anything not listed as eligible needs a pre-authorization request before you buy it. Step Up will not consider requests for items on the prohibited list.
Each guide has an appendix listing items that always need pre-authorization. In both guides this includes curriculum that is not publicly available, replacing equipment sooner than the frequency limit allows, and out-of-state P.E. activities and field trips. The UA guide adds overnight or day educational camps, assistive devices not named in the guide, televisions over 55 inches, and tests not listed.
A few rules apply to every request:
- You submit it in the scholarship portal once the account is funded for the year.
- Include details about the item, how it helps your child learn, and the approximate cost.
- Approval covers only the school year in which it is granted.
- Approval does not confirm the provider's eligibility or guarantee available funds.
Marketplace or reimbursement: which applies?
Purchases run through EMA, Step Up's Education Market Assistant. The EMA Marketplace has two parts: MyScholarShop for instructional materials and curriculum, and Find Providers for services such as tutoring and therapy from approved providers. When you use the marketplace, the provider is paid directly from the scholarship account.
If the seller is not on the marketplace, you pay first and submit a reimbursement request in EMA. Receipts need a full transaction date and amount, and invoices must show they were paid in full. Step Up allows up to 60 days for review, and a denied request can be appealed once using the APPEAL button on the original request. The UA reimbursement page and PEP reimbursement page list the current deadlines.
The UA guide notes that items on the online platform are considered approvable. If you find an identical product for less elsewhere, the guides say you are entitled to reimbursement for that lower-priced purchase.
Can I use UA or PEP funds for tutoring?
Yes. Both guides list part-time tutoring under tuition and fees. The person providing it must meet at least one credential in the guide, such as a valid Florida educator certificate, a professional teaching certificate from another state, or a bachelor's or graduate degree in the subject taught. Credentialed providers who teach virtually do not have to be located in Florida.
Both guides add one rule worth knowing. Live instruction that is not part of an eligible home education program must meet the part-time tutoring requirements to be reimbursed. That makes the teacher's credentials the first thing to confirm.
The easiest route is a tutoring provider listed in Find Providers, because payment comes straight from the scholarship account. For example, Tutero is an EMA Marketplace Provider offering 1-on-1 online tutoring with certified Florida teachers, billed through EMA so families pay $0 out of pocket. Our guide on how to use Step Up funds for tutoring walks through the steps.
Step Up for Students
Tutoring is one of the best‑value ways to use your funds
- Certified Florida teachers
- The same teacher every week
- A plan built from your child’s schoolwork
★★★★★4.9 · 300+ reviews$0out of pocket on UA and PEP, paid through EMA
What items are commonly rejected?
Most rejections come from two sources: items on the prohibited list and paperwork problems. Items the guides list as prohibited include:
- Food and drinks, lodging, and transportation costs such as gas or mileage
- Gaming subscriptions, arcade visits, concerts (PEP), and sporting event tickets
- Pools, trampolines larger than an individual exercise trampoline, and motorized vehicles or scooters
- Toy weapons, live animals, and general household items or home improvements
- Resale tickets and extras at theme parks, such as parking or photos
On the paperwork side, the reimbursement pages list incomplete transaction dates, no proof of full payment, provider names that do not match without an explanation, services outside eligible categories, and late submissions. The UA guide also rules out anything already paid for by insurance or another source.
How do I check an item before buying?
- Search the marketplace first. If the item or provider is in MyScholarShop or Find Providers, it has already been reviewed.
- Open the current guide for your scholarship. Find the category the item fits, and read any frequency or proration notes.
- Check the appendices. Appendix A lists prohibited items and Appendix B lists items that need pre-authorization.
- Submit a pre-authorization if the item is not listed. Wait for the email decision before paying.
- Keep complete receipts. Make sure each one shows the full date, amount, and proof of payment.
- Ask Step Up if you are unsure. Both guides tell families to confirm eligibility with Step Up before spending.
For more on how providers appear in EMA, see our EMA marketplace provider guide.
Bottom line
The UA and PEP purchasing guides follow the same logic: listed items are approved, unlisted items need pre-authorization, and prohibited items are never approved. The main differences are that UA covers devices and therapies while PEP does not. Check the current guide for your scholarship, use the EMA Marketplace when you can, and keep complete receipts for everything else.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is a Step Up for Students EMA Marketplace Provider trusted by 500 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: What you can and can’t buy with Step Up, The best ways to spend Step Up funds and Finding tutoring providers in the EMA marketplace.
Your next step
See how families use Step Up for tutoring
Certified Florida teachers, 1-on-1, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket. Trusted by 500 Florida families.
Or keep reading: What you can and can’t buy →
“With her teacher Lori, she’s focused. She never wants to miss a lesson.”
JillMom of Emma, 6th gradeQuick answer
Step Up for Students publishes a separate purchasing guide for each scholarship. The UA guide and the PEP guide each list the authorized expense categories, the items that need pre-authorization, and the items that are prohibited. You can find the current versions on the official Step Up for Students purchasing guides page, and checking the right guide before you buy is the simplest way to avoid a rejected reimbursement.
Tutoring is covered on UA and PEP
Approved providers bill EMA directly, so families pay $0 out of pocket. Pick your scholarship:
What are the Step Up for Students purchasing guides?
Florida law requires scholarship funding organizations to publish purchasing guidelines and update them at least once a year. The guides explain which products and services count as authorized uses of scholarship funds. They are written to help families stay in compliance, not to prescribe a particular education program.
There are three guides on the official page: the FES-UA Purchasing Guide, the PEP Purchasing Guide, and the Private School Purchasing Guide. The UA guide is developed by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, and Step Up links to it from the same page. The PEP guide is published by Step Up directly. Both are revised regularly, so always open the current version rather than a saved copy.
Families on FES-EO or FTC private school scholarships use the private school guide. Those scholarships cover tuition and fees, not tutoring or curriculum, so this article focuses on UA and PEP.
How do the UA and PEP purchasing guides differ?
The two guides share a lot of structure and wording. Both cover instructional materials, curriculum, tuition and fees, testing, and part-time tutoring. The biggest differences are in technology and specialized services.
| Topic | UA purchasing guide | PEP purchasing guide |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops, tablets, phones | Eligible, once every two years | Listed as prohibited |
| Therapies (ABA, speech, OT, PT) | Eligible from approved providers | Not an authorized category |
| Televisions over 55 inches | Pre-authorization required | Prohibited |
| Live online classes | Allowed through tutoring or approved online providers | Only through an approved online or virtual provider; full-time online instruction is prohibited |
| Part-time tutoring | Eligible with a qualified teacher | Eligible with a qualified teacher |
The UA guide also includes categories PEP does not, such as horse therapy, music and art therapy, transition services from job coaches, specialized summer and after-school programs, and contributions to Florida college savings plans. If your child switches scholarships, do not assume an item approved under one guide is approved under the other.
How are expense categories organized?
Both guides group purchases under a few large headings. The main ones are:
- Instructional materials: books, school supplies, digital materials, educational software, subscription kits, manipulatives, sensory materials, lab materials, electives, P.E., field trips, internet service, and at-home classroom furnishings.
- Curriculum: a complete course of study for a subject or grade level, including required supplemental materials.
- Tuition and fees: eligible private schools, home education programs, postsecondary institutions, dual enrollment, approved online providers, and tutoring.
- Testing and assessments: AP exams, norm-referenced tests, industry certification exams, and similar assessments.
A few general rules apply across categories. Items shared with siblings are prorated to cover only the scholarship student's share. Some equipment has a frequency limit, usually once every two years. Cash payments to private sellers are not reimbursable. Items must also meet the manufacturer's minimum age for your child. For a plain list of what is usually approved, see our guide to what you can and can't buy with Step Up for Students.
What needs pre-authorization before you buy?
Many items are already approved by being listed in the guide. Anything not listed as eligible needs a pre-authorization request before you buy it. Step Up will not consider requests for items on the prohibited list.
Each guide has an appendix listing items that always need pre-authorization. In both guides this includes curriculum that is not publicly available, replacing equipment sooner than the frequency limit allows, and out-of-state P.E. activities and field trips. The UA guide adds overnight or day educational camps, assistive devices not named in the guide, televisions over 55 inches, and tests not listed.
A few rules apply to every request:
- You submit it in the scholarship portal once the account is funded for the year.
- Include details about the item, how it helps your child learn, and the approximate cost.
- Approval covers only the school year in which it is granted.
- Approval does not confirm the provider's eligibility or guarantee available funds.
Marketplace or reimbursement: which applies?
Purchases run through EMA, Step Up's Education Market Assistant. The EMA Marketplace has two parts: MyScholarShop for instructional materials and curriculum, and Find Providers for services such as tutoring and therapy from approved providers. When you use the marketplace, the provider is paid directly from the scholarship account.
If the seller is not on the marketplace, you pay first and submit a reimbursement request in EMA. Receipts need a full transaction date and amount, and invoices must show they were paid in full. Step Up allows up to 60 days for review, and a denied request can be appealed once using the APPEAL button on the original request. The UA reimbursement page and PEP reimbursement page list the current deadlines.
The UA guide notes that items on the online platform are considered approvable. If you find an identical product for less elsewhere, the guides say you are entitled to reimbursement for that lower-priced purchase.
Can I use UA or PEP funds for tutoring?
Yes. Both guides list part-time tutoring under tuition and fees. The person providing it must meet at least one credential in the guide, such as a valid Florida educator certificate, a professional teaching certificate from another state, or a bachelor's or graduate degree in the subject taught. Credentialed providers who teach virtually do not have to be located in Florida.
Both guides add one rule worth knowing. Live instruction that is not part of an eligible home education program must meet the part-time tutoring requirements to be reimbursed. That makes the teacher's credentials the first thing to confirm.
The easiest route is a tutoring provider listed in Find Providers, because payment comes straight from the scholarship account. For example, Tutero is an EMA Marketplace Provider offering 1-on-1 online tutoring with certified Florida teachers, billed through EMA so families pay $0 out of pocket. Our guide on how to use Step Up funds for tutoring walks through the steps.
Step Up for Students
Tutoring is one of the best‑value ways to use your funds
- Certified Florida teachers
- The same teacher every week
- A plan built from your child’s schoolwork
★★★★★4.9 · 300+ reviews$0out of pocket on UA and PEP, paid through EMA
What items are commonly rejected?
Most rejections come from two sources: items on the prohibited list and paperwork problems. Items the guides list as prohibited include:
- Food and drinks, lodging, and transportation costs such as gas or mileage
- Gaming subscriptions, arcade visits, concerts (PEP), and sporting event tickets
- Pools, trampolines larger than an individual exercise trampoline, and motorized vehicles or scooters
- Toy weapons, live animals, and general household items or home improvements
- Resale tickets and extras at theme parks, such as parking or photos
On the paperwork side, the reimbursement pages list incomplete transaction dates, no proof of full payment, provider names that do not match without an explanation, services outside eligible categories, and late submissions. The UA guide also rules out anything already paid for by insurance or another source.
How do I check an item before buying?
- Search the marketplace first. If the item or provider is in MyScholarShop or Find Providers, it has already been reviewed.
- Open the current guide for your scholarship. Find the category the item fits, and read any frequency or proration notes.
- Check the appendices. Appendix A lists prohibited items and Appendix B lists items that need pre-authorization.
- Submit a pre-authorization if the item is not listed. Wait for the email decision before paying.
- Keep complete receipts. Make sure each one shows the full date, amount, and proof of payment.
- Ask Step Up if you are unsure. Both guides tell families to confirm eligibility with Step Up before spending.
For more on how providers appear in EMA, see our EMA marketplace provider guide.
Bottom line
The UA and PEP purchasing guides follow the same logic: listed items are approved, unlisted items need pre-authorization, and prohibited items are never approved. The main differences are that UA covers devices and therapies while PEP does not. Check the current guide for your scholarship, use the EMA Marketplace when you can, and keep complete receipts for everything else.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is a Step Up for Students EMA Marketplace Provider trusted by 500 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: What you can and can’t buy with Step Up, The best ways to spend Step Up funds and Finding tutoring providers in the EMA marketplace.
Your next step
See how families use Step Up for tutoring
Certified Florida teachers, 1-on-1, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket. Trusted by 500 Florida families.
Or keep reading: What you can and can’t buy →
“With her teacher Lori, she’s focused. She never wants to miss a lesson.”
JillMom of Emma, 6th gradeFAQ
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Online maths tutoring at Tutero is catering to students of all year levels. We offer programs tailored to the unique learning curves of each age group.
We also have expert NAPLAN and ATAR subject tutors, ensuring students are well-equipped for these pivotal assessments.
We recommend at least two to three session per week for consistent progress. However, this can vary based on your child's needs and goals.
Our platform uses advanced security protocols to ensure the safety and privacy of all our online sessions.
Parents are welcome to observe sessions. We believe in a collaborative approach to education.
We provide regular progress reports and assessments to track your child’s academic development.
Yes, we prioritise the student-tutor relationship and can arrange a change if the need arises.
Yes, we offer a range of resources and materials, including interactive exercises and practice worksheets.
Quick answer
Step Up for Students publishes a separate purchasing guide for each scholarship. The UA guide and the PEP guide each list the authorized expense categories, the items that need pre-authorization, and the items that are prohibited. You can find the current versions on the official Step Up for Students purchasing guides page, and checking the right guide before you buy is the simplest way to avoid a rejected reimbursement.
Tutoring is covered on UA and PEP
Approved providers bill EMA directly, so families pay $0 out of pocket. Pick your scholarship:
What are the Step Up for Students purchasing guides?
Florida law requires scholarship funding organizations to publish purchasing guidelines and update them at least once a year. The guides explain which products and services count as authorized uses of scholarship funds. They are written to help families stay in compliance, not to prescribe a particular education program.
There are three guides on the official page: the FES-UA Purchasing Guide, the PEP Purchasing Guide, and the Private School Purchasing Guide. The UA guide is developed by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, and Step Up links to it from the same page. The PEP guide is published by Step Up directly. Both are revised regularly, so always open the current version rather than a saved copy.
Families on FES-EO or FTC private school scholarships use the private school guide. Those scholarships cover tuition and fees, not tutoring or curriculum, so this article focuses on UA and PEP.
How do the UA and PEP purchasing guides differ?
The two guides share a lot of structure and wording. Both cover instructional materials, curriculum, tuition and fees, testing, and part-time tutoring. The biggest differences are in technology and specialized services.
| Topic | UA purchasing guide | PEP purchasing guide |
|---|---|---|
| Laptops, tablets, phones | Eligible, once every two years | Listed as prohibited |
| Therapies (ABA, speech, OT, PT) | Eligible from approved providers | Not an authorized category |
| Televisions over 55 inches | Pre-authorization required | Prohibited |
| Live online classes | Allowed through tutoring or approved online providers | Only through an approved online or virtual provider; full-time online instruction is prohibited |
| Part-time tutoring | Eligible with a qualified teacher | Eligible with a qualified teacher |
The UA guide also includes categories PEP does not, such as horse therapy, music and art therapy, transition services from job coaches, specialized summer and after-school programs, and contributions to Florida college savings plans. If your child switches scholarships, do not assume an item approved under one guide is approved under the other.
How are expense categories organized?
Both guides group purchases under a few large headings. The main ones are:
- Instructional materials: books, school supplies, digital materials, educational software, subscription kits, manipulatives, sensory materials, lab materials, electives, P.E., field trips, internet service, and at-home classroom furnishings.
- Curriculum: a complete course of study for a subject or grade level, including required supplemental materials.
- Tuition and fees: eligible private schools, home education programs, postsecondary institutions, dual enrollment, approved online providers, and tutoring.
- Testing and assessments: AP exams, norm-referenced tests, industry certification exams, and similar assessments.
A few general rules apply across categories. Items shared with siblings are prorated to cover only the scholarship student's share. Some equipment has a frequency limit, usually once every two years. Cash payments to private sellers are not reimbursable. Items must also meet the manufacturer's minimum age for your child. For a plain list of what is usually approved, see our guide to what you can and can't buy with Step Up for Students.
What needs pre-authorization before you buy?
Many items are already approved by being listed in the guide. Anything not listed as eligible needs a pre-authorization request before you buy it. Step Up will not consider requests for items on the prohibited list.
Each guide has an appendix listing items that always need pre-authorization. In both guides this includes curriculum that is not publicly available, replacing equipment sooner than the frequency limit allows, and out-of-state P.E. activities and field trips. The UA guide adds overnight or day educational camps, assistive devices not named in the guide, televisions over 55 inches, and tests not listed.
A few rules apply to every request:
- You submit it in the scholarship portal once the account is funded for the year.
- Include details about the item, how it helps your child learn, and the approximate cost.
- Approval covers only the school year in which it is granted.
- Approval does not confirm the provider's eligibility or guarantee available funds.
Marketplace or reimbursement: which applies?
Purchases run through EMA, Step Up's Education Market Assistant. The EMA Marketplace has two parts: MyScholarShop for instructional materials and curriculum, and Find Providers for services such as tutoring and therapy from approved providers. When you use the marketplace, the provider is paid directly from the scholarship account.
If the seller is not on the marketplace, you pay first and submit a reimbursement request in EMA. Receipts need a full transaction date and amount, and invoices must show they were paid in full. Step Up allows up to 60 days for review, and a denied request can be appealed once using the APPEAL button on the original request. The UA reimbursement page and PEP reimbursement page list the current deadlines.
The UA guide notes that items on the online platform are considered approvable. If you find an identical product for less elsewhere, the guides say you are entitled to reimbursement for that lower-priced purchase.
Can I use UA or PEP funds for tutoring?
Yes. Both guides list part-time tutoring under tuition and fees. The person providing it must meet at least one credential in the guide, such as a valid Florida educator certificate, a professional teaching certificate from another state, or a bachelor's or graduate degree in the subject taught. Credentialed providers who teach virtually do not have to be located in Florida.
Both guides add one rule worth knowing. Live instruction that is not part of an eligible home education program must meet the part-time tutoring requirements to be reimbursed. That makes the teacher's credentials the first thing to confirm.
The easiest route is a tutoring provider listed in Find Providers, because payment comes straight from the scholarship account. For example, Tutero is an EMA Marketplace Provider offering 1-on-1 online tutoring with certified Florida teachers, billed through EMA so families pay $0 out of pocket. Our guide on how to use Step Up funds for tutoring walks through the steps.
Step Up for Students
Tutoring is one of the best‑value ways to use your funds
- Certified Florida teachers
- The same teacher every week
- A plan built from your child’s schoolwork
★★★★★4.9 · 300+ reviews$0out of pocket on UA and PEP, paid through EMA
What items are commonly rejected?
Most rejections come from two sources: items on the prohibited list and paperwork problems. Items the guides list as prohibited include:
- Food and drinks, lodging, and transportation costs such as gas or mileage
- Gaming subscriptions, arcade visits, concerts (PEP), and sporting event tickets
- Pools, trampolines larger than an individual exercise trampoline, and motorized vehicles or scooters
- Toy weapons, live animals, and general household items or home improvements
- Resale tickets and extras at theme parks, such as parking or photos
On the paperwork side, the reimbursement pages list incomplete transaction dates, no proof of full payment, provider names that do not match without an explanation, services outside eligible categories, and late submissions. The UA guide also rules out anything already paid for by insurance or another source.
How do I check an item before buying?
- Search the marketplace first. If the item or provider is in MyScholarShop or Find Providers, it has already been reviewed.
- Open the current guide for your scholarship. Find the category the item fits, and read any frequency or proration notes.
- Check the appendices. Appendix A lists prohibited items and Appendix B lists items that need pre-authorization.
- Submit a pre-authorization if the item is not listed. Wait for the email decision before paying.
- Keep complete receipts. Make sure each one shows the full date, amount, and proof of payment.
- Ask Step Up if you are unsure. Both guides tell families to confirm eligibility with Step Up before spending.
For more on how providers appear in EMA, see our EMA marketplace provider guide.
Bottom line
The UA and PEP purchasing guides follow the same logic: listed items are approved, unlisted items need pre-authorization, and prohibited items are never approved. The main differences are that UA covers devices and therapies while PEP does not. Check the current guide for your scholarship, use the EMA Marketplace when you can, and keep complete receipts for everything else.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is a Step Up for Students EMA Marketplace Provider trusted by 500 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: What you can and can’t buy with Step Up, The best ways to spend Step Up funds and Finding tutoring providers in the EMA marketplace.
Your next step
See how families use Step Up for tutoring
Certified Florida teachers, 1-on-1, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket. Trusted by 500 Florida families.
Or keep reading: What you can and can’t buy →
“With her teacher Lori, she’s focused. She never wants to miss a lesson.”
JillMom of Emma, 6th gradeAll current guides are linked from the purchasing guides page on the Step Up for Students website. The UA guide is developed by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at UCF and linked from that page, and the PEP guide is published by Step Up.
Both cover instructional materials, curriculum, tuition and fees, testing, and part-time tutoring. The UA guide also covers digital devices such as laptops and tablets and specialized services like speech and occupational therapy, while the PEP guide lists digital devices as prohibited.
Yes. Both guides say items or services not listed as eligible need an approved pre-authorization before you buy. Step Up will not consider pre-authorization requests for items on the prohibited list.
An approved pre-authorization is valid for purchases in the school year in which it was approved. It does not confirm the provider's eligibility or guarantee that funds are available.
Yes. Both guides list part-time tutoring as an eligible expense when the person teaching meets at least one listed credential, such as a valid Florida educator certificate. Providers in the EMA Marketplace can be paid directly from the scholarship account.
Common reasons include missing or incomplete transaction dates, no proof of full payment, mismatched provider names, items outside eligible categories, and late submissions. You can appeal a denied request once through the APPEAL button in EMA.
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