Florida funds four scholarship programs that work like education savings accounts. Each one covers different families, different expenses, and different amounts. The right program depends on your child's enrollment status, whether they have a disability diagnosis, and whether you're homeschooling or attending private school.
This guide breaks down all four programs, shows you which one you likely qualify for, and explains exactly how to spend the funds on Outschool classes, tutoring, and curriculum.
At a glance: Florida's four scholarship programs
- FES-EO (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options): ~$8,000/year. For K-12 families choosing private school or out-of-district public school. Income-prioritized, no hard cutoff.
- FES-UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities): ~$10,000/year. For kids ages 3-22 with a qualifying disability (IEP or documented diagnosis). Covers private school, therapies, curriculum, tutoring, and home education.
- FTC-PEP (Florida Tax Credit Personalized Education Program): ~$8,000/year. For K-12 kids not enrolled full-time in public or private school. Designed for homeschooling families. Covers curriculum, tutoring, online classes, and more.
- FTC ESA (Florida Tax Credit Education Savings Account): Privately funded. For families choosing private school or a personalized education path. Income-prioritized (185-400% FPL range).
Which program are you on?
If you already have a Florida scholarship, the fastest way to confirm your program is to log into your Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation account. Your dashboard will show the program name.
If you're deciding which to apply for:
- Your child has an IEP or qualifying disability diagnosis → apply for FES-UA. It has the highest funding (~$10,000) and the broadest approved expenses, including therapies.
- You're homeschooling or building a custom education plan → apply for FTC-PEP. It's designed for families not enrolled full-time in public or private school.
- You want to enroll in a private school → apply for FES-EO. It covers tuition and fees at approved private schools.
- You want private school or a personalized plan and qualify by income → apply for FTC ESA. It's privately funded and works like the others but has income-based priority.
You can only receive one Florida scholarship at a time. If you're unsure, Step Up For Students can help you identify the best fit when you apply.
FES-UA: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities
FES-UA is Florida's most flexible scholarship program. It provides approximately $10,000 per year in ESA-style funding for kids with qualifying disabilities.
Who qualifies
- Florida resident, ages 3-22
- Must have an IEP or documented diagnosis for a qualifying disability: autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, speech/language impairment, or other health impairments including rare diseases
- No income requirement
What FES-UA funds cover
- Private school tuition and fees
- Specialized therapies (speech, occupational, behavioral)
- Tutoring and academic support
- Curriculum and instructional materials
- Online learning programs (including Outschool classes)
- Standardized testing fees
- Contributions to Florida Prepaid or 529 plans
How to apply
Submit an application through an approved Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO). Most Florida families use Step Up For Students. You'll need your child's IEP or medical documentation of their qualifying diagnosis. Applications for 2026-27 are currently open.
FES-EO: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
FES-EO provides approximately $8,000 per year for families choosing private school enrollment.
Who qualifies
- Florida resident, grades K-12, eligible to enroll in a Florida public school
- Priority given to households at or below 185% of the federal poverty level
- Additional priority for students in foster care, siblings of current FES-EO or FES-UA recipients, and children of active-duty military or law enforcement
What FES-EO funds cover
- Private school tuition and fees
- Transportation to an out-of-district public school (up to $750)
How to apply
Apply through Step Up For Students or the AAA Scholarship Foundation. No disability documentation required. Income is a factor in priority ranking, not a hard eligibility cutoff.
FTC-PEP: Florida Tax Credit Personalized Education Program
PEP is the program most homeschooling families use. It provides approximately $8,000 per year for K-12 kids who are not enrolled full-time in a public or private school. Funds go toward building a personalized education plan at home.
Who qualifies
- Florida resident, grades K-12
- Not enrolled full-time in a public or private school
- No income limit, but priority given to households at or below 185% FPL, then up to 400% FPL
What PEP funds cover
- Curriculum and instructional materials
- Online learning programs and classes (including Outschool)
- Tutoring
- Standardized testing fees
- Therapies and specialized services
- Transportation (up to $750)
How to apply
Apply through Step Up For Students or the AAA Scholarship Foundation. You'll need to confirm that your child is not enrolled full-time in a public or private school. Applications for 2026-27 are currently open, and PEP is now accepting new students (capacity 140,000).
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Browse classesFTC ESA: Florida Tax Credit Education Savings Account
The FTC ESA is privately funded through corporate donations and administered by approved SFOs like Step Up For Students. It works like the other programs but is funded differently.
Who qualifies
- Florida resident, grades K-12
- No hard income cutoff, but priority given to households at or below 185% FPL, followed by up to 400% FPL
- Students in foster care, siblings of current recipients, and homeless students receive priority
What FTC ESA funds cover
- Private school tuition
- Personalized education programs including homeschooling expenses
- Curriculum and instructional materials
- Tutoring and online classes
- Transportation (up to $750)
How to apply
Apply through Step Up For Students or the AAA Scholarship Foundation. Students must take an approved nationally norm-referenced test annually. You cannot receive FTC ESA and another state scholarship simultaneously.
How to use your Florida scholarship funds on Outschool
Outschool is an approved provider for Florida families using FES-UA, FES-EO, FTC-PEP, and FTC ESA programs. Here's how the payment process works depending on your program:
- MyScholarShop: Some Florida scholarship families can browse and book Outschool classes directly through the Step Up For Students MyScholarShop marketplace. Search for Outschool in the marketplace to see available classes.
- Reimbursement: Pay for Outschool classes upfront, then submit your receipt to your SFO for reimbursement. Keep your Outschool order confirmation email as documentation. For a full walkthrough of the reimbursement process, see our Step Up reimbursement guide.
Florida families commonly use scholarship funds on Outschool for:
- Live, small-group classes across math, reading, science, writing, and electives
- 1-on-1 tutoring sessions for targeted academic support
- Full semester-length classes that count toward a homeschool transcript
- Enrichment classes in art, coding, music, and foreign languages
For details on each Step Up scholarship and how to apply, see our Step Up For Students guide.
Frequently asked questions about Florida ESA programs
Which Florida scholarship program should I apply for?
It depends on your child's situation. If your child has a qualifying disability, apply for FES-UA (highest funding, broadest expenses). If you're homeschooling, apply for FTC-PEP. If you want private school tuition covered, apply for FES-EO. If you're income-eligible and want flexibility, consider the FTC ESA. You can only receive one program at a time.
How do I apply?
All four programs use the same application process. Submit an application through an approved Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO), most commonly Step Up For Students or the AAA Scholarship Foundation. Applications for 2026-27 are currently open.
Can I use Florida scholarship funds for homeschooling?
Yes. FTC-PEP is specifically designed for homeschooling families. FES-UA also covers home education expenses. Both programs allow you to spend funds on curriculum, online classes, tutoring, instructional materials, and testing. For a step-by-step guide to setting up your homeschool with Florida funds, see our guide to using ESA funds to homeschool in Florida.
How much funding will my child receive?
The exact amount depends on the program, your child's grade level, and your county. As a general guide: FES-UA averages approximately $10,000 per year, FES-EO approximately $8,000, and PEP approximately $8,000. Funds are distributed quarterly.
Can my child receive more than one scholarship at a time?
No. Florida students may only receive one state-approved scholarship at a time.
Are there income limits?
FES-UA is based on a qualifying disability diagnosis, not income. FES-EO, FTC-PEP, and FTC ESA use income as a priority factor, not a hard eligibility cutoff. Lower-income families receive priority, but the programs are not restricted to them.
What happens if my child switches from public school to homeschool mid-year?
You can apply for PEP or FES-UA (if your child has a qualifying diagnosis) at any time. Funding may be prorated depending on when you enroll. Contact Step Up For Students to confirm your eligibility and timeline.
Can I use my scholarship funds on Outschool?
Yes. Outschool is an approved provider for all four Florida scholarship programs. You can book classes through MyScholarShop or pay upfront and submit for reimbursement. See our reimbursement guide for the full process.
Build the right plan for your Florida family
Florida's scholarship programs give families real options for shaping their child's education, whether that means private school, homeschooling, or a hybrid approach. The key is knowing which program fits and how to use the funds effectively.
If you're exploring how ESA-style programs work across states, see our guide to education savings accounts. For help planning your fall schedule with scholarship funds, check out our ESA back-to-school planning guide. And for a complete overview of Florida homeschool requirements, we have that covered too.
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