.svg)
Two numbers shape every Step Up family's year: when the money lands, and how much of it there is. Both have 2026-27 detail worth knowing precisely, including a one-month gap between renewal and newly approved students that catches new families off guard, and award ranges that differ by more than $25,000 between scholarships. Here are the exact dates and dollar figures, plus the planning math that turns them into a school year.
Quick answer
For 2026-27, Step Up funds release quarterly: August 1, 2026 for renewal students (September 1 for newly approved), then November 1, 2026, February 1, 2027, and April 1, 2027 for everyone. Funds appear in your EMA account about a week after each date. Awards: FES-EO and FTC roughly $7,500-$8,500; PEP about $8,000; UA (FES-UA) about $10,000 on average, rising to roughly $22,000 at matrix level 254 and $34,000 at level 255.
When do Step Up funds arrive in 2026-27?
Funds move from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) to Step Up on a quarterly schedule, and each student's record is reviewed for funding consideration before every distribution. The 2026-27 dates:
| Quarter | Period covered | Funds released |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | July 1 - September 30 | Renewal students: August 1, 2026 · New students: September 1, 2026 |
| Q2 | October 1 - December 31 | All students: November 1, 2026 |
| Q3 | January 1 - March 31 | All students: February 1, 2027 |
| Q4 | April 1 - June 30 | All students: April 1, 2027 |
Expect funds to be visible in your EMA account within about a week of each release date. If your balance hasn't appeared two weeks after the date, check three things in order: whether you're a newly approved student (September 1, not August 1), whether your renewal was submitted by April 30, and whether your record shows any open query. Then contact Step Up support. Live chat at sufs.org is their fastest channel and supports screen sharing.
Why do new students get Q1 funds a month later?
Renewal students' records are already verified, so their first-quarter funds move on August 1. Newly approved students go through funding consideration first, and their Q1 funds arrive September 1, 2026. Practically, that means a new family's school year budget starts a month behind, which matters if you're counting on scholarship funds for August tutoring or back-to-school curriculum.
Two workarounds exist. First, you can plan and schedule services in August and simply approve the invoices once funds land, which is how direct-pay tutoring handles the gap: with a provider like Tutero there is nothing to pay out of pocket while you wait. Second, for services you must pay upfront, Step Up allows reimbursement requests up to four months ahead of services being delivered, provided the provider confirms in writing that your payment is non-refundable. The mechanics are in our EMA provider guide.
How much is each Step Up scholarship worth in 2026-27?
| Scholarship | Typical award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FES-EO / FTC | $7,500-$8,500 | Tracks average per-pupil funding; varies by grade and county. Tuition-focused: these two do not fund tutoring. |
| PEP | ~$8,000 | ESA for homeschool families; covers tutoring, curriculum, materials, technology. |
| UA (FES-UA) | ~$10,000 average | Rises with matrix of services level: ~$22,000 at level 254, ~$34,000 at level 255. Ages 3 through 22. |
The matrix of services level is set through the student's evaluation documentation, and it changes the UA award dramatically: a level-255 student receives more than three times the base award. Exact figures vary by county and student. The award letter in your EMA account is the authoritative number, and the statutes behind the programs (FES-UA under s.1002.394, PEP under s.1002.40, FTC under s.1002.395) change as legislation evolves, so the current handbook on stepupforstudents.org is the practical source of truth.
How do you budget an award across four quarters?
Each quarterly deposit is roughly a quarter of the annual award: about $2,000 per quarter on a PEP award, about $2,500 on an average UA award. Unspent ESA funds stay in your account as new quarters arrive, so the real planning question is allocation, not timing. A pattern we see across the 500 Florida families we work with: anchor the year with one or two weekly tutoring lessons as the fixed line item, then flex curriculum, materials, and technology purchases around the remaining balance quarter by quarter.
- Anchor first. Recurring services like weekly tutoring are the budget's spine. Book them at the start of each quarter, through direct pay, so no receipts enter the picture.
- Flex second. Curriculum and technology are one-off purchases that can wait for whichever quarter has headroom. Check the eligible list per scholarship in the purchasing guide before buying.
- Watch invoice timing. Tutoring invoices go through EMA as lessons are processed, dated the day of service, never future-dated. A schedule set in the first week of a quarter uses that quarter's funds fully and cleanly.
- Mid-year approvals prorate. If your child is approved mid-year, your award reflects the remaining quarters, so an anchor-first plan matters even more: lock the weekly lesson before allocating anything else.
What should families do when funds land?
Teacher availability tightens within days of each release. The families who booked before the money arrived get the best times, because with direct pay there is nothing to prepay: you plan the schedule, then approve invoices once the balance is live. The playbook: confirm your balance in EMA, choose a direct-pay provider (the EMA provider guide shows how to evaluate listings), lock a weekly schedule for the quarter, and put the next release date in your calendar before you close the laptop.
Bottom line
Mark four dates: August 1 (September 1 if newly approved), November 1, February 1, April 1. Anchor each quarter with the recurring lessons that matter most, flex the one-off purchases around them, and book before the release day rather than after. Want the schedule handled for you? Tell us about your child in 60 seconds and an education specialist will map your award to a term of 1-on-1 lessons with a certified teacher. Full program details are in our complete Step Up guide, and application timing is in when to apply for 2026-27.
Two numbers shape every Step Up family's year: when the money lands, and how much of it there is. Both have 2026-27 detail worth knowing precisely, including a one-month gap between renewal and newly approved students that catches new families off guard, and award ranges that differ by more than $25,000 between scholarships. Here are the exact dates and dollar figures, plus the planning math that turns them into a school year.
Quick answer
For 2026-27, Step Up funds release quarterly: August 1, 2026 for renewal students (September 1 for newly approved), then November 1, 2026, February 1, 2027, and April 1, 2027 for everyone. Funds appear in your EMA account about a week after each date. Awards: FES-EO and FTC roughly $7,500-$8,500; PEP about $8,000; UA (FES-UA) about $10,000 on average, rising to roughly $22,000 at matrix level 254 and $34,000 at level 255.
When do Step Up funds arrive in 2026-27?
Funds move from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) to Step Up on a quarterly schedule, and each student's record is reviewed for funding consideration before every distribution. The 2026-27 dates:
| Quarter | Period covered | Funds released |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | July 1 - September 30 | Renewal students: August 1, 2026 · New students: September 1, 2026 |
| Q2 | October 1 - December 31 | All students: November 1, 2026 |
| Q3 | January 1 - March 31 | All students: February 1, 2027 |
| Q4 | April 1 - June 30 | All students: April 1, 2027 |
Expect funds to be visible in your EMA account within about a week of each release date. If your balance hasn't appeared two weeks after the date, check three things in order: whether you're a newly approved student (September 1, not August 1), whether your renewal was submitted by April 30, and whether your record shows any open query. Then contact Step Up support. Live chat at sufs.org is their fastest channel and supports screen sharing.
Why do new students get Q1 funds a month later?
Renewal students' records are already verified, so their first-quarter funds move on August 1. Newly approved students go through funding consideration first, and their Q1 funds arrive September 1, 2026. Practically, that means a new family's school year budget starts a month behind, which matters if you're counting on scholarship funds for August tutoring or back-to-school curriculum.
Two workarounds exist. First, you can plan and schedule services in August and simply approve the invoices once funds land, which is how direct-pay tutoring handles the gap: with a provider like Tutero there is nothing to pay out of pocket while you wait. Second, for services you must pay upfront, Step Up allows reimbursement requests up to four months ahead of services being delivered, provided the provider confirms in writing that your payment is non-refundable. The mechanics are in our EMA provider guide.
How much is each Step Up scholarship worth in 2026-27?
| Scholarship | Typical award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FES-EO / FTC | $7,500-$8,500 | Tracks average per-pupil funding; varies by grade and county. Tuition-focused: these two do not fund tutoring. |
| PEP | ~$8,000 | ESA for homeschool families; covers tutoring, curriculum, materials, technology. |
| UA (FES-UA) | ~$10,000 average | Rises with matrix of services level: ~$22,000 at level 254, ~$34,000 at level 255. Ages 3 through 22. |
The matrix of services level is set through the student's evaluation documentation, and it changes the UA award dramatically: a level-255 student receives more than three times the base award. Exact figures vary by county and student. The award letter in your EMA account is the authoritative number, and the statutes behind the programs (FES-UA under s.1002.394, PEP under s.1002.40, FTC under s.1002.395) change as legislation evolves, so the current handbook on stepupforstudents.org is the practical source of truth.
How do you budget an award across four quarters?
Each quarterly deposit is roughly a quarter of the annual award: about $2,000 per quarter on a PEP award, about $2,500 on an average UA award. Unspent ESA funds stay in your account as new quarters arrive, so the real planning question is allocation, not timing. A pattern we see across the 500 Florida families we work with: anchor the year with one or two weekly tutoring lessons as the fixed line item, then flex curriculum, materials, and technology purchases around the remaining balance quarter by quarter.
- Anchor first. Recurring services like weekly tutoring are the budget's spine. Book them at the start of each quarter, through direct pay, so no receipts enter the picture.
- Flex second. Curriculum and technology are one-off purchases that can wait for whichever quarter has headroom. Check the eligible list per scholarship in the purchasing guide before buying.
- Watch invoice timing. Tutoring invoices go through EMA as lessons are processed, dated the day of service, never future-dated. A schedule set in the first week of a quarter uses that quarter's funds fully and cleanly.
- Mid-year approvals prorate. If your child is approved mid-year, your award reflects the remaining quarters, so an anchor-first plan matters even more: lock the weekly lesson before allocating anything else.
What should families do when funds land?
Teacher availability tightens within days of each release. The families who booked before the money arrived get the best times, because with direct pay there is nothing to prepay: you plan the schedule, then approve invoices once the balance is live. The playbook: confirm your balance in EMA, choose a direct-pay provider (the EMA provider guide shows how to evaluate listings), lock a weekly schedule for the quarter, and put the next release date in your calendar before you close the laptop.
Bottom line
Mark four dates: August 1 (September 1 if newly approved), November 1, February 1, April 1. Anchor each quarter with the recurring lessons that matter most, flex the one-off purchases around them, and book before the release day rather than after. Want the schedule handled for you? Tell us about your child in 60 seconds and an education specialist will map your award to a term of 1-on-1 lessons with a certified teacher. Full program details are in our complete Step Up guide, and application timing is in when to apply for 2026-27.
FAQ
.svg)
.svg)
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.
Two numbers shape every Step Up family's year: when the money lands, and how much of it there is. Both have 2026-27 detail worth knowing precisely, including a one-month gap between renewal and newly approved students that catches new families off guard, and award ranges that differ by more than $25,000 between scholarships. Here are the exact dates and dollar figures, plus the planning math that turns them into a school year.
Quick answer
For 2026-27, Step Up funds release quarterly: August 1, 2026 for renewal students (September 1 for newly approved), then November 1, 2026, February 1, 2027, and April 1, 2027 for everyone. Funds appear in your EMA account about a week after each date. Awards: FES-EO and FTC roughly $7,500-$8,500; PEP about $8,000; UA (FES-UA) about $10,000 on average, rising to roughly $22,000 at matrix level 254 and $34,000 at level 255.
When do Step Up funds arrive in 2026-27?
Funds move from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) to Step Up on a quarterly schedule, and each student's record is reviewed for funding consideration before every distribution. The 2026-27 dates:
| Quarter | Period covered | Funds released |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | July 1 - September 30 | Renewal students: August 1, 2026 · New students: September 1, 2026 |
| Q2 | October 1 - December 31 | All students: November 1, 2026 |
| Q3 | January 1 - March 31 | All students: February 1, 2027 |
| Q4 | April 1 - June 30 | All students: April 1, 2027 |
Expect funds to be visible in your EMA account within about a week of each release date. If your balance hasn't appeared two weeks after the date, check three things in order: whether you're a newly approved student (September 1, not August 1), whether your renewal was submitted by April 30, and whether your record shows any open query. Then contact Step Up support. Live chat at sufs.org is their fastest channel and supports screen sharing.
Why do new students get Q1 funds a month later?
Renewal students' records are already verified, so their first-quarter funds move on August 1. Newly approved students go through funding consideration first, and their Q1 funds arrive September 1, 2026. Practically, that means a new family's school year budget starts a month behind, which matters if you're counting on scholarship funds for August tutoring or back-to-school curriculum.
Two workarounds exist. First, you can plan and schedule services in August and simply approve the invoices once funds land, which is how direct-pay tutoring handles the gap: with a provider like Tutero there is nothing to pay out of pocket while you wait. Second, for services you must pay upfront, Step Up allows reimbursement requests up to four months ahead of services being delivered, provided the provider confirms in writing that your payment is non-refundable. The mechanics are in our EMA provider guide.
How much is each Step Up scholarship worth in 2026-27?
| Scholarship | Typical award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FES-EO / FTC | $7,500-$8,500 | Tracks average per-pupil funding; varies by grade and county. Tuition-focused: these two do not fund tutoring. |
| PEP | ~$8,000 | ESA for homeschool families; covers tutoring, curriculum, materials, technology. |
| UA (FES-UA) | ~$10,000 average | Rises with matrix of services level: ~$22,000 at level 254, ~$34,000 at level 255. Ages 3 through 22. |
The matrix of services level is set through the student's evaluation documentation, and it changes the UA award dramatically: a level-255 student receives more than three times the base award. Exact figures vary by county and student. The award letter in your EMA account is the authoritative number, and the statutes behind the programs (FES-UA under s.1002.394, PEP under s.1002.40, FTC under s.1002.395) change as legislation evolves, so the current handbook on stepupforstudents.org is the practical source of truth.
How do you budget an award across four quarters?
Each quarterly deposit is roughly a quarter of the annual award: about $2,000 per quarter on a PEP award, about $2,500 on an average UA award. Unspent ESA funds stay in your account as new quarters arrive, so the real planning question is allocation, not timing. A pattern we see across the 500 Florida families we work with: anchor the year with one or two weekly tutoring lessons as the fixed line item, then flex curriculum, materials, and technology purchases around the remaining balance quarter by quarter.
- Anchor first. Recurring services like weekly tutoring are the budget's spine. Book them at the start of each quarter, through direct pay, so no receipts enter the picture.
- Flex second. Curriculum and technology are one-off purchases that can wait for whichever quarter has headroom. Check the eligible list per scholarship in the purchasing guide before buying.
- Watch invoice timing. Tutoring invoices go through EMA as lessons are processed, dated the day of service, never future-dated. A schedule set in the first week of a quarter uses that quarter's funds fully and cleanly.
- Mid-year approvals prorate. If your child is approved mid-year, your award reflects the remaining quarters, so an anchor-first plan matters even more: lock the weekly lesson before allocating anything else.
What should families do when funds land?
Teacher availability tightens within days of each release. The families who booked before the money arrived get the best times, because with direct pay there is nothing to prepay: you plan the schedule, then approve invoices once the balance is live. The playbook: confirm your balance in EMA, choose a direct-pay provider (the EMA provider guide shows how to evaluate listings), lock a weekly schedule for the quarter, and put the next release date in your calendar before you close the laptop.
Bottom line
Mark four dates: August 1 (September 1 if newly approved), November 1, February 1, April 1. Anchor each quarter with the recurring lessons that matter most, flex the one-off purchases around them, and book before the release day rather than after. Want the schedule handled for you? Tell us about your child in 60 seconds and an education specialist will map your award to a term of 1-on-1 lessons with a certified teacher. Full program details are in our complete Step Up guide, and application timing is in when to apply for 2026-27.
Quarterly: August 1, 2026 for renewal students and September 1, 2026 for newly approved students (Q1), then November 1, 2026 (Q2), February 1, 2027 (Q3), and April 1, 2027 (Q4) for all students. Funds are typically visible in your EMA account about a week after each release date.
It depends on the program: FES-EO and FTC awards roughly track per-pupil public school funding at $7,500-$8,500; PEP provides about $8,000; and UA (FES-UA) averages about $10,000, rising to roughly $22,000 at matrix level 254 and $34,000 at level 255. Your award letter in EMA is the authoritative figure for your child.
The two most common reasons: you're a newly approved student (Q1 funds arrive September 1, a month after renewals) or the release date has passed but the ~1-week processing window hasn't. Each student's record is also reviewed for funding consideration before every distribution. If funds haven't appeared two weeks after the release date, contact Step Up via live chat at sufs.org.
Within the school year, unspent ESA funds remain in your account as new quarterly deposits arrive, so a slow start doesn't forfeit money. Rollover rules across school years vary by program and are set out in each scholarship's current handbook: verify on stepupforstudents.org before assuming a year-end balance carries forward.
Yes: and it's the smart move, because teacher availability tightens right after each release. You can plan the schedule with a provider in advance and approve the EMA invoices once funds land. With direct-pay providers like Tutero there's nothing to pay out of pocket while you wait for the release date.
For 2026-27, renewal students received first-quarter funds on August 1, 2026, while newly approved students receive theirs on September 1, 2026. From Q2 onward (November 1, February 1, April 1), all students are funded on the same dates. The gap only affects a family's first quarter on the program.
Hoping to improve confidence & grades?
Step Up for Students
Private Tutoring for Step Up Families
.png)
