Scholarships can support your plan. First, know which path you’re on.
“Step Up” is often used as shorthand, but Florida has several distinct scholarship programs. This guide explains the main paths parents ask about and points you to the organization that decides eligibility, deadlines, and purchases.
Start with the program name on your award or application.PEP, FES-UA, and private-school scholarships have different enrollment and recordkeeping rules.
THREE DIFFERENT LANES
Which program sounds like yours?
This is a navigation aid, not an eligibility decision. Your SFO’s current application and handbook control the details.
PARENT-DIRECTED · ESA
PEP
Personalized Education Program (FTC-PEP)
For families directing a student’s learning outside full-time public or private school. An education savings account can help pay for eligible education expenses under the current program rules.
Apply and manage the scholarship through an approved SFO, such as Step Up For Students.
Submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) to your SFO each year.
Meet the annual assessment and result-submission requirements in the current handbook.
PEP is distinct from district Home Education registration.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities
A scholarship for eligible students with qualifying disabilities. Depending on the family’s selected option, this program may support an eligible private-school or district Home Education pathway, along with other approved services and materials.
Eligibility and required supporting documentation are reviewed by the SFO.
Program rules differ from PEP, including how funds may be used.
If using district Home Education, confirm those district obligations separately.
These scholarships help eligible families pay tuition and fees at participating private schools. They are generally a private-school enrollment path—not the parent-directed PEP option.
Confirm the school participates in the scholarship program.
Enrollment, tuition, funding, and remaining-balance rules are program-specific.
Follow your SFO’s current handbook and account instructions.
Both may look like homeschooling day to day, but registration and annual tasks are different. PEP families register through an SFO and follow scholarship requirements. District Home Education families submit their notice and annual evaluation through their school district.
If your child is moving from a district Home Education Program into PEP, Florida DOE says to file written termination notice with the district and alert them to the student’s PEP participation. Confirm the steps and timing with both your district and SFO.
Confirm whether the account is PEP, FES-UA, FTC/FES-EO private school, or another program.
02
Use the official portal
Apply, submit documents, check award status, and read notices in your SFO account.
03
Check before purchasing
Look up the current purchasing guide and your SFO’s instructions before spending or requesting reimbursement.
04
Track the right annual tasks
Save SLP, assessment, renewal, receipt, and district dates that apply to your program.
Why we link to the handbook and purchasing guide
Eligible uses, vendors, documentation, deadlines, and account steps can change. SFOs publish their own detailed processes; a broad summary can’t approve an individual purchase.
We help organize your records. We don’t manage scholarship funds.
Use 1HVE for parent-entered learning logs, portfolio samples, and reminders. Don’t store scholarship portal credentials or sensitive financial documents here. We are not affiliated with Step Up For Students or Florida DOE and cannot determine eligibility, confirm a purchase, or replace either organization’s official account.
Informational only—not legal, tax, financial, or scholarship advice. Source links reviewed September 24, 2026; always check current official guidance.