Step Up For Students Explained: Florida Scholarships, PEP & Tutoring (2026–27 Guide)

Florida operates the largest school choice program in the country, and for most families, navigating it starts with one organization: Step Up For Students. Since HB 1 expanded eligibility to all K–12 students in 2023, the number of scholarship options has grown, too, including: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, and PEP.

This guide breaks down everything families need to know for the 2026–27 school year: which scholarship best fits your child, how much funding you may receive, what homeschool families should know about PEP, and how to use your scholarship funds to pay for tutoring through an approved provider.

Step Up For Students at a Glance

What Step Up For Students Actually Is

Step Up is not a state agency or a school. It's a nonprofit the state authorizes to process applications, approve providers, and distribute funds, so your questions go to Step Up, not your district.

Most scholarships work like an education savings account: funds sit in an account tied to your student. Private school scholarships go mostly to tuition, while PEP and FES-UA families direct funds to curriculum, therapies, technology, and tutoring.

The Step Up For Students Scholarships, Explained

For homeschooling families, PEP and FES-UA are the two that matter most.

Who Is Eligible, and How Priority Works

Any student eligible to enroll in a Florida public school can apply, with no income limit and no prior public school attendance required. When funding or seats run short, priority goes first to households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, then to those at or below 400%, which is roughly $128,000 for a family of four.

FES-UA also requires a qualifying disability, documented by an IEP or a diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist.

How Much Money Is Involved?

Most award amounts follow Florida's per-student public school funding formula, so they vary by grade and county and can change each year.

We recommend confirming your student's actual award in your Step Up account before you budget around it.

PEP vs. Traditional Home Education

The key point for homeschoolers: a PEP student is not legally a home education student. Florida treats them as separate pathways.

PEP trades some independence for funding. If you switch, you'll generally need to end your home education notice with the district, so ask Step Up to walk you through the timing.

Using Step Up For Students Funds for Tutoring

Step Up handles spending through its Education Market Assistant (EMA). You can pay an approved provider directly from your student's account, or pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement, which can be slow and may be denied. Direct pay is the safer route.

Florida also sets tutor qualifications. A scholarship-funded tutor generally needs a Florida educator certificate, a degree in the subject, an adjunct teaching certificate, or demonstrated subject mastery under state law.

When comparing providers, look for approved vendor status, credentialed teachers, written progress reports, flexibility with your curriculum, and daytime scheduling that fits a homeschool day.

How TurtlEd Fits: An Approved Step Up For Students Vendor

TurtlEd is an approved Step Up For Students vendor, so eligible Florida families can pay for our tutoring directly from their scholarship account, with no out-of-pocket costs or reimbursement wait. We offer live, online K–12 Math and English Language Arts (ELA), one-on-one or in small groups.

• Personalized learning plans built from your student's i-Ready, MAP, or PEP test results, or from a first-session diagnostic.
• The same credentialed teacher every week, so instruction builds instead of restarting.
• Weekly written progress reports you can use for your Step Up records and Student Learning Plan.
• Bilingual teachers who can explain concepts in Spanish when it helps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Step Up For Students? A Florida nonprofit that administers the state's K–12 scholarships, including FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, and New Worlds.

Can homeschoolers get a Step Up scholarship? Yes, through PEP, or FES-UA for students with a qualifying disability. PEP is separate from traditional home education.

Can I use my Step Up scholarship for tutoring? Yes, for PEP and FES-UA students, if the tutor meets Florida's qualification rules.

Is there an income limit? No. Income only affects priority when funding is limited.

Is TurtlEd an approved Step Up For Students provider? Yes. Eligible families can use scholarship funds for our math and ELA tutoring. Confirm the purchase through Step Up before sessions begin.

If your family is ready to put your scholarship to work, book a free consultation and we'll talk through your student's needs, your goals, and whether TurtlEd is the right fit for your family.

Note: This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal or financial advice. Eligibility, award amounts, approved expenses, and deadlines can change. Confirm current details with Step Up For Students before enrolling with a provider or making any payment, and seek qualified guidance if your student receives special education services.