Step Up For Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida to administer the FTC, FES and other education choice programs. Its scholarships cover everything from private-school tuition to flexible education savings accounts (ESAs) that can pay for tutoring, therapies, curriculum and more. Knowing which scholarship fits your family, and how to use it once you have it, is one of the highest-leverage decisions a Florida parent makes.

‍

This is the comprehensive guide. We cover all four scholarships, who qualifies, what the awards cover, the EMA portal that handles every payment, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that cost families money.

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‍

Quick answer

Step Up For Students runs four main K-12 scholarships in Florida: FTC and FES-EO for private school, FES-UA for students with unique abilities, and PEP for students not enrolled full time in a school. FTC and FES-EO average $8,000, FES-UA averages $10,000 and PEP averages $8,000. Part-time tutoring is an eligible expense on FES-UA and PEP; on FTC and FES-EO it is paid from funds left after private school tuition and fees. Funds release quarterly. With direct billing through EMA, families pay nothing out of pocket.

What Step Up scholarships are available in Florida?

Step Up runs four main K-12 scholarships, each with a different purpose. Knowing which one you're on (or which to apply for) determines what you can spend on and how.

‍

• FES-EO (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options): Any Florida student eligible to enroll in K-12 public school can apply, regardless of household income, with priority for lower-income households. It pays private-school tuition and fees first, and remaining funds can go to other approved expenses, including part-time tutoring. It is a state scholarship under section 1002.394, Florida Statutes.
• FTC (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship): Same eligibility and private-school purpose as FES-EO. The difference is the funding: FTC runs under section 1002.395, which lets taxpayers make contributions to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations.
• UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities): An ESA for Florida students from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22 with an IEP or a qualifying diagnosis. It averages $10,000 a year and can pay for private school tuition, homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring and more. It is the only one of the four that starts at age 3.
• PEP (Personalized Education Program): An ESA for K-12 students who are not enrolled full time in a public or private school. It averages $8,000 a year and can pay for tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials. Charter schools and Florida Virtual School (unless paid privately) count as public school for this rule. For 2026-27, PEP applications are closed: the deadline was April 30, 2026. Our PEP scholarship guide covers the details.

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How much is each scholarship worth? For 2026-27, the Florida Legislature set the amounts by grade level and county: FTC, FES-EO and PEP range from $7,463 to $12,217 a year, and FES-UA runs from $9,627 to $14,381 at the base matrix level and rises with the matrix level of services. The county-by-county numbers are in our Step Up award amounts 2026-27 guide.

‍

FTC vs FES-EO vs FES-UA vs PEP: how do they compare?

The four programs differ most on who can use them and how they are funded. FES-UA and PEP can pay for part-time tutoring, and FTC and FES-EO can when funds remain after private school tuition and fees.

Sources: Step Up For Students program pages and handbooks, and sections 1002.394 and 1002.395, Florida Statutes (2026-27).

‍

How do I know if my child qualifies for a Step Up scholarship?

Eligibility differs by program. The right starting question isn't "do we qualify?" but "which scholarship fits us best?".

‍

• FES-UA eligibility: Florida resident, at least 3 years old by December 31 of the application year (or eligible to enroll in public school) and younger than 22 on September 1, with an IEP or a validated qualifying diagnosis from an eligible licensed medical professional. Qualifying diagnoses on Step Up's list include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome; ADHD is covered under "other health impairment", and dyslexia falls under the specific learning category.
• PEP eligibility: Florida resident in grades K-12, at least 5 by September 1 and younger than 21, not enrolled full time in a public or private school, and open to all families regardless of household income. Charter schools and Florida Virtual School (as a non-private-pay student) count as public school.
• FES-EO and FTC eligibility: Florida resident eligible to enroll in K-12 public school, regardless of household income. Renewing students get first priority, then new students at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (or in foster care), then those between 185% and 400%. In Step Up's 2026-27 chart, 400% of the federal poverty level for a family of four is $132,000.

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Apply early. For 2026-27, renewal applications ran from February 1 to April 30, 2026; new applications for the Private School and Unique Abilities scholarships run from February 1 to November 15, 2026, while PEP's window closed on April 30. Renewal applications submitted after April 30 are treated as new applications. Full timelines are in our guide to when to apply for Step Up in 2026-27.

‍

What are the key benefits of Step Up scholarships?

Each program offers different benefits, but four advantages run across them all.

‍

• Educational choice without out-of-pocket cost. Families can use direct billing in EMA instead of paying first. Tutero's tutoring lessons, for example, are billed to your scholarship balance, with no upfront family payment.
• Coverage for diverse needs. The ESA scholarships flex across categories: FES-UA covers private school tuition, home education expenses, therapists, specialists and curriculum, and PEP covers tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials.
• Simplified payments through EMA. EMA, the Education Market Assistant, is where families apply, track funds, shop in MyScholarShop, find providers and submit reimbursement requests. Step Up says most reimbursement requests are reviewed within 7 to 14 business days during normal volume.
• Broad eligibility. Any student eligible for Florida public school in K-12 can get FTC or FES-EO, regardless of income; FES-UA is based on an IEP or qualifying diagnosis; and PEP is open to K-12 students not enrolled full time in a school.

‍

What expenses are eligible for my scholarship?

Eligibility depends entirely on which scholarship you have. Mixing them up is the most expensive mistake families make.

‍

• FES-EO and FTC: Tuition and fees at an eligible private school come first. Remaining funds can pay for other approved expenses such as registration, books and testing, and for part-time tutoring.
• UA (ESA): Private school tuition, home education expenses, therapists, specialists, curriculum, contributions to a college savings account and other approved education-related expenses, plus part-time tutoring.
• PEP (ESA): Tuition and fees at an eligible private school (including part-time and hybrid), homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials.

‍

Spending happens through EMA in four ways: direct billing to a full-time private school, direct billing for services such as tutoring or therapy through Find Providers, purchases in MyScholarShop, and reimbursement when you pay out of pocket.

‍

Does Step Up For Students pay for tutoring?

Yes. Part-time tutoring is an eligible expense on FES-UA and PEP. FTC and FES-EO scholarships pay private school tuition first; tutoring can be paid from any funds left over after tuition and fees. The tutor must meet Step Up's credential rules, such as holding a valid Florida educator's certificate, and part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year in grades K-3 and 900 hours in grades 4-12. With a direct-billing provider, the provider bills the scholarship through EMA and you pay nothing out of pocket. Tutero lessons are taught by certified Florida teachers, and our ranked comparison of the best Step Up tutoring providers covers the wider field. Families in the Tampa area can also see our page on private tutoring in Tampa.

Step Up For Students

Use your scholarship for 1-on-1 tutoring

• Certified Florida teachers
• The same teacher every week
• A plan built from your child’s schoolwork

See Step Up tutoring ★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews

$0out of pocket on UA and PEP, paid through EMA

Where can I find the official Step Up rules?

Step Up publishes a 2026-27 family handbook for each scholarship at stepupforstudents.org, covering eligibility, applications, deadlines and purchasing rules. Always check the current handbook before a major purchase: Step Up notes that items or services approved in the past may not be approved currently.

‍

The programs are set in Florida law: FES-EO and FES-UA are part of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program in section 1002.394, and FTC and PEP run under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program in section 1002.395. Statutes change as legislation evolves; the current handbook is the practical source of truth.

‍

‍

How do families actually use ESA funds?

Families spend scholarship funds through EMA. For services, the two methods that matter most are direct billing and reimbursement.

‍

• Direct payment: You choose a pre-approved provider in Find Providers on the EMA Marketplace, such as a tutoring company or a therapist. The provider bills the scholarship through EMA, so there is no out-of-pocket payment from you.
• Reimbursement: You pay first, then submit a reimbursement request through EMA. The invoice must show payment in full and how payment was made, and classes, instructional services and lessons need the student's first and last name. Step Up asks families to allow up to 60 days for a full review once all documents are in.

‍

Many families use both: direct billing for ongoing services like tutoring, and MyScholarShop or reimbursement for curriculum and materials.

‍

How do I submit a reimbursement request through EMA?

Step Up's own instructions, "How to Request Reimbursement in EMA", come down to eight steps.

‍

1. Log in to EMA from stepupforstudents.org.
2. Set up your payment method the first time. Choose direct deposit (ACH), check or PayPal.
3. Open Reimbursements from the left panel of the dashboard and select New.
4. Choose your student from the dropdown menu.
5. Upload the invoice, proof of payment or receipt as a PNG, JPG or PDF file.
6. Select the purchase, confirm the item name and enter the amount.
7. Add any additional documents, such as a provider's credentials when the category requires them.
8. Review the summary (purchase date, amount, educational benefit and category), then select Submit for Approval. Keep copies of everything you submit.

‍

How can I avoid the most common Step Up mistakes?

Six mistakes cause most of the denied requests and missed funding we hear about. None of them are inevitable.

‍

• Picking the wrong scholarship for your situation. Students can switch scholarship programs only one time per school year, so check the fit before you accept.
• Submitting blurry or incomplete receipts. Handwritten notes or unofficial documents cannot be accepted, and an invoice that does not show payment in full will not be accepted either. Use a scanning app, not phone-camera photos.
• Mismatching student names. Invoices for lessons and services need the student's first and last name as listed in EMA.
• Missing the April 30 renewal deadline. Renewal applications submitted after April 30, 2026 count as new applications.
• Working with non-approved providers. Book services through pre-approved providers in Find Providers. Reimbursement requests for cash paid to private tutors who are not affiliated with a company or institution will be denied.
• Letting invoices sit. Private school tuition and fee invoices must be approved in EMA within 30 calendar days of the school submitting them.

‍

Bottom line

Step Up scholarships put real educational choice into Florida families' hands: private-school tuition through FES-EO and FTC, with remaining funds for approved expenses, or flexible education savings accounts through UA and PEP. The keys are picking the right scholarship for your situation, using approved providers, setting up direct billing for ongoing services, and submitting clean documentation for reimbursements. Tutero lessons are taught by certified Florida teachers, with $0 out of pocket on UA or PEP. Browse our tutoring service or explore Florida tutoring options to start. The full EMA payment walkthrough is in our guide to how to use Step Up funds for tutoring. Ready to start? Tell us about your child in 60 seconds and an account manager calls within 24 hours to set up your first scholarship-funded lesson.

Related guides: What you can and can’t buy with Step Up, How to use Step Up funds for tutoring and 5 things parents wish they knew on day one.

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 575 Florida families.

See Step Up tutoring

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 grade

‍

‍

Step Up For Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida to administer the FTC, FES and other education choice programs. Its scholarships cover everything from private-school tuition to flexible education savings accounts (ESAs) that can pay for tutoring, therapies, curriculum and more. Knowing which scholarship fits your family, and how to use it once you have it, is one of the highest-leverage decisions a Florida parent makes.

‍

This is the comprehensive guide. We cover all four scholarships, who qualifies, what the awards cover, the EMA portal that handles every payment, and how to avoid the most common mistakes that cost families money.

‍

‍

Quick answer

Step Up For Students runs four main K-12 scholarships in Florida: FTC and FES-EO for private school, FES-UA for students with unique abilities, and PEP for students not enrolled full time in a school. FTC and FES-EO average $8,000, FES-UA averages $10,000 and PEP averages $8,000. Part-time tutoring is an eligible expense on FES-UA and PEP; on FTC and FES-EO it is paid from funds left after private school tuition and fees. Funds release quarterly. With direct billing through EMA, families pay nothing out of pocket.

What Step Up scholarships are available in Florida?

Step Up runs four main K-12 scholarships, each with a different purpose. Knowing which one you're on (or which to apply for) determines what you can spend on and how.

‍

• FES-EO (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options): Any Florida student eligible to enroll in K-12 public school can apply, regardless of household income, with priority for lower-income households. It pays private-school tuition and fees first, and remaining funds can go to other approved expenses, including part-time tutoring. It is a state scholarship under section 1002.394, Florida Statutes.
• FTC (Florida Tax Credit Scholarship): Same eligibility and private-school purpose as FES-EO. The difference is the funding: FTC runs under section 1002.395, which lets taxpayers make contributions to nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations.
• UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities): An ESA for Florida students from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22 with an IEP or a qualifying diagnosis. It averages $10,000 a year and can pay for private school tuition, homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring and more. It is the only one of the four that starts at age 3.
• PEP (Personalized Education Program): An ESA for K-12 students who are not enrolled full time in a public or private school. It averages $8,000 a year and can pay for tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials. Charter schools and Florida Virtual School (unless paid privately) count as public school for this rule. For 2026-27, PEP applications are closed: the deadline was April 30, 2026. Our PEP scholarship guide covers the details.

‍

How much is each scholarship worth? For 2026-27, the Florida Legislature set the amounts by grade level and county: FTC, FES-EO and PEP range from $7,463 to $12,217 a year, and FES-UA runs from $9,627 to $14,381 at the base matrix level and rises with the matrix level of services. The county-by-county numbers are in our Step Up award amounts 2026-27 guide.

‍

FTC vs FES-EO vs FES-UA vs PEP: how do they compare?

The four programs differ most on who can use them and how they are funded. FES-UA and PEP can pay for part-time tutoring, and FTC and FES-EO can when funds remain after private school tuition and fees.

Sources: Step Up For Students program pages and handbooks, and sections 1002.394 and 1002.395, Florida Statutes (2026-27).

‍

How do I know if my child qualifies for a Step Up scholarship?

Eligibility differs by program. The right starting question isn't "do we qualify?" but "which scholarship fits us best?".

‍

• FES-UA eligibility: Florida resident, at least 3 years old by December 31 of the application year (or eligible to enroll in public school) and younger than 22 on September 1, with an IEP or a validated qualifying diagnosis from an eligible licensed medical professional. Qualifying diagnoses on Step Up's list include autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome; ADHD is covered under "other health impairment", and dyslexia falls under the specific learning category.
• PEP eligibility: Florida resident in grades K-12, at least 5 by September 1 and younger than 21, not enrolled full time in a public or private school, and open to all families regardless of household income. Charter schools and Florida Virtual School (as a non-private-pay student) count as public school.
• FES-EO and FTC eligibility: Florida resident eligible to enroll in K-12 public school, regardless of household income. Renewing students get first priority, then new students at or below 185% of the federal poverty level (or in foster care), then those between 185% and 400%. In Step Up's 2026-27 chart, 400% of the federal poverty level for a family of four is $132,000.

‍

Apply early. For 2026-27, renewal applications ran from February 1 to April 30, 2026; new applications for the Private School and Unique Abilities scholarships run from February 1 to November 15, 2026, while PEP's window closed on April 30. Renewal applications submitted after April 30 are treated as new applications. Full timelines are in our guide to when to apply for Step Up in 2026-27.

‍

What are the key benefits of Step Up scholarships?

Each program offers different benefits, but four advantages run across them all.

‍

• Educational choice without out-of-pocket cost. Families can use direct billing in EMA instead of paying first. Tutero's tutoring lessons, for example, are billed to your scholarship balance, with no upfront family payment.
• Coverage for diverse needs. The ESA scholarships flex across categories: FES-UA covers private school tuition, home education expenses, therapists, specialists and curriculum, and PEP covers tuition and fees, homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials.
• Simplified payments through EMA. EMA, the Education Market Assistant, is where families apply, track funds, shop in MyScholarShop, find providers and submit reimbursement requests. Step Up says most reimbursement requests are reviewed within 7 to 14 business days during normal volume.
• Broad eligibility. Any student eligible for Florida public school in K-12 can get FTC or FES-EO, regardless of income; FES-UA is based on an IEP or qualifying diagnosis; and PEP is open to K-12 students not enrolled full time in a school.

‍

What expenses are eligible for my scholarship?

Eligibility depends entirely on which scholarship you have. Mixing them up is the most expensive mistake families make.

‍

• FES-EO and FTC: Tuition and fees at an eligible private school come first. Remaining funds can pay for other approved expenses such as registration, books and testing, and for part-time tutoring.
• UA (ESA): Private school tuition, home education expenses, therapists, specialists, curriculum, contributions to a college savings account and other approved education-related expenses, plus part-time tutoring.
• PEP (ESA): Tuition and fees at an eligible private school (including part-time and hybrid), homeschooling, tutoring and instructional materials.

‍

Spending happens through EMA in four ways: direct billing to a full-time private school, direct billing for services such as tutoring or therapy through Find Providers, purchases in MyScholarShop, and reimbursement when you pay out of pocket.

‍

Does Step Up For Students pay for tutoring?

Yes. Part-time tutoring is an eligible expense on FES-UA and PEP. FTC and FES-EO scholarships pay private school tuition first; tutoring can be paid from any funds left over after tuition and fees. The tutor must meet Step Up's credential rules, such as holding a valid Florida educator's certificate, and part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year in grades K-3 and 900 hours in grades 4-12. With a direct-billing provider, the provider bills the scholarship through EMA and you pay nothing out of pocket. Tutero lessons are taught by certified Florida teachers, and our ranked comparison of the best Step Up tutoring providers covers the wider field. Families in the Tampa area can also see our page on private tutoring in Tampa.

Step Up For Students

Use your scholarship for 1-on-1 tutoring

• Certified Florida teachers
• The same teacher every week
• A plan built from your child’s schoolwork

See Step Up tutoring ★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews

$0out of pocket on UA and PEP, paid through EMA

Where can I find the official Step Up rules?

Step Up publishes a 2026-27 family handbook for each scholarship at stepupforstudents.org, covering eligibility, applications, deadlines and purchasing rules. Always check the current handbook before a major purchase: Step Up notes that items or services approved in the past may not be approved currently.

‍

The programs are set in Florida law: FES-EO and FES-UA are part of the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program in section 1002.394, and FTC and PEP run under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program in section 1002.395. Statutes change as legislation evolves; the current handbook is the practical source of truth.

‍

‍

How do families actually use ESA funds?

Families spend scholarship funds through EMA. For services, the two methods that matter most are direct billing and reimbursement.

‍

• Direct payment: You choose a pre-approved provider in Find Providers on the EMA Marketplace, such as a tutoring company or a therapist. The provider bills the scholarship through EMA, so there is no out-of-pocket payment from you.
• Reimbursement: You pay first, then submit a reimbursement request through EMA. The invoice must show payment in full and how payment was made, and classes, instructional services and lessons need the student's first and last name. Step Up asks families to allow up to 60 days for a full review once all documents are in.

‍

Many families use both: direct billing for ongoing services like tutoring, and MyScholarShop or reimbursement for curriculum and materials.

‍

How do I submit a reimbursement request through EMA?

Step Up's own instructions, "How to Request Reimbursement in EMA", come down to eight steps.

‍

1. Log in to EMA from stepupforstudents.org.
2. Set up your payment method the first time. Choose direct deposit (ACH), check or PayPal.
3. Open Reimbursements from the left panel of the dashboard and select New.
4. Choose your student from the dropdown menu.
5. Upload the invoice, proof of payment or receipt as a PNG, JPG or PDF file.
6. Select the purchase, confirm the item name and enter the amount.
7. Add any additional documents, such as a provider's credentials when the category requires them.
8. Review the summary (purchase date, amount, educational benefit and category), then select Submit for Approval. Keep copies of everything you submit.

‍

How can I avoid the most common Step Up mistakes?

Six mistakes cause most of the denied requests and missed funding we hear about. None of them are inevitable.

‍

• Picking the wrong scholarship for your situation. Students can switch scholarship programs only one time per school year, so check the fit before you accept.
• Submitting blurry or incomplete receipts. Handwritten notes or unofficial documents cannot be accepted, and an invoice that does not show payment in full will not be accepted either. Use a scanning app, not phone-camera photos.
• Mismatching student names. Invoices for lessons and services need the student's first and last name as listed in EMA.
• Missing the April 30 renewal deadline. Renewal applications submitted after April 30, 2026 count as new applications.
• Working with non-approved providers. Book services through pre-approved providers in Find Providers. Reimbursement requests for cash paid to private tutors who are not affiliated with a company or institution will be denied.
• Letting invoices sit. Private school tuition and fee invoices must be approved in EMA within 30 calendar days of the school submitting them.

‍

Bottom line

Step Up scholarships put real educational choice into Florida families' hands: private-school tuition through FES-EO and FTC, with remaining funds for approved expenses, or flexible education savings accounts through UA and PEP. The keys are picking the right scholarship for your situation, using approved providers, setting up direct billing for ongoing services, and submitting clean documentation for reimbursements. Tutero lessons are taught by certified Florida teachers, with $0 out of pocket on UA or PEP. Browse our tutoring service or explore Florida tutoring options to start. The full EMA payment walkthrough is in our guide to how to use Step Up funds for tutoring. Ready to start? Tell us about your child in 60 seconds and an account manager calls within 24 hours to set up your first scholarship-funded lesson.

Related guides: What you can and can’t buy with Step Up, How to use Step Up funds for tutoring and 5 things parents wish they knew on day one.

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 575 Florida families.

See Step Up tutoring

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 grade

‍