What is Step Up for Students?
Step Up for Students is a Florida nonprofit that connects families with scholarship funding to support more personalized K-12 education. It administers several distinct scholarship programs, each designed for a different family situation, and has become the primary gateway for Florida families seeking alternative education funding.
Thanks to expanded legislation, more Florida families than ever can access these scholarships regardless of income. The programs cover a wide range: private school tuition, specialized therapies, tutoring, curriculum, and enrichment programs including Outschool classes. Understanding which program applies to your family is the first step.
Which Step Up for Students scholarship is right for your family?
Step Up administers five active scholarship programs. They are not interchangeable — eligibility, funding amounts, and approved uses vary significantly. Here is how to identify which one applies to you.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO)
Open to all Florida K-12 students eligible for public school enrollment, regardless of household income. Average award: approximately $8,000 per year for 2026-27. Once tuition and fees are covered for a private school, remaining funds can be used for online learning, tutoring, and educational materials. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are open.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
For students ages 3 through grade 12 (or up to age 22) with one of 23 qualifying diagnoses, including autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, dyslexia, and speech or language impairments. Average award: approximately $10,000 per year, with higher amounts available depending on the student's level of need. Funds can be used for private school tuition, therapies, tutoring, curriculum, approved online classes, and assistive technology. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are open.
Personalized Education Program (PEP)
For families pursuing parent-directed learning (homeschooling). Average award: approximately $8,000 per year. Available to K-12 Florida students; the child must be at least age 5 by September 1 of the school year. Funds can cover curriculum, tutors, online classes, and other approved educational expenses. The PEP Scholarship is open to new students for 2026-27, with program capacity for up to 140,000 students. Applications for 2026-27 are open.
New Worlds Scholarship Accounts
For VPK through 5th grade public school students who have been identified as needing additional reading or math support. Funds can be used for tutoring, curriculum, and enrichment programs. This program is specifically for students still enrolled in public school who need supplemental support.
Hope Scholarship
For K-12 students who have experienced bullying, harassment, or other qualifying incidents at a Florida public school. Applications are accepted year-round after a verified Hope Notification Form is submitted. Award amounts are similar to FES-EO.
Scholarship comparison: which program fits your family?
FES-EO: Any Florida K-12 student | ~$8,000/year avg | Private school tuition, remaining funds for tutoring and enrichment | No income requirement
FES-UA: Students with one of 23 qualifying diagnoses, ages 3-22 | ~$10,000/year avg (higher for greater need) | Private school, therapies, tutoring, online classes, assistive tech | Requires diagnosis or IEP/504
PEP: Homeschool families, K-12 (age 5 by Sept 1) | ~$8,000/year avg | Curriculum, tutors, online classes, materials | Open for new students in 2026-27
New Worlds: VPK-5th grade public school students needing reading/math support | Varies | Tutoring, curriculum, enrichment | Must be enrolled in public school
Hope: K-12 students who experienced qualifying bullying/harassment | Similar to FES-EO | Private school tuition and expenses | Requires verified incident report
Who is eligible for Step Up scholarships?
FES-EO, FES-UA, and PEP are open to all income levels. Families earning at or below 300% of the federal poverty level may receive priority consideration if applications exceed available funding.
FES-UA requires a formal qualifying diagnosis or a current IEP or 504 Plan. The 23 qualifying conditions include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, dyscalculia, speech and language impairments, intellectual disabilities, and others. Check the full list at stepupforstudents.org before applying.
How to apply for Step Up for Students: a step-by-step guide
Step 1: Gather your documents
- Proof of Florida residency (driver's license, utility bill, or lease)
- Proof of income if applying for priority consideration (recent tax return or pay stubs)
- Birth certificate or proof of your child's age
- Formal diagnosis documentation or IEP/504 Plan (for FES-UA applicants)
- Hope Notification Form verified by your school district (for Hope Scholarship applicants)
Step 2: Apply through the Step Up for Students website
All applications are submitted through the Step Up for Students online portal at stepupforstudents.org. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are currently open.
Step 3: Wait for approval and fund activation
Processing times vary. FES-EO and PEP approvals typically take several weeks from application submission. FES-UA approvals may take longer if additional documentation is requested. You will receive confirmation through the Step Up portal and by email.
Step 4: Access your funds
Once approved, funds are managed through an Education Savings Account (ESA) tied to your scholarship. You use this account to pay for approved educational expenses, either by paying providers directly through the approved marketplace or by paying out of pocket and submitting receipts for reimbursement.
How to use Step Up funds for Outschool classes
Florida families with FES-UA or PEP funds can use their scholarship to access Outschool classes. Outschool's self-paced, asynchronous classes are listed in MyScholarShop, the Step Up online marketplace. You can browse and pay for these classes using your ESA funds directly, without needing a separate reimbursement step.
For live online Outschool classes, you can pay at the time of enrollment and submit your receipt through your ESA platform for reimbursement. Keep all purchase confirmations. For questions about Outschool eligibility or how to submit for reimbursement, email support@outschool.com.
2026-27 application dates and status
- Applications open: FES-EO, FES-UA, and PEP applications for the 2026-27 school year are currently open at stepupforstudents.org.
- Year-round: Hope Scholarship applications are accepted at any time following submission of a verified Hope Notification Form.
- 2027-28 planning: Applying each year well before fall gives you the best chance of maintaining priority status. Sign up for email updates on the Step Up website to receive notification when priority deadlines are announced.
Frequently asked questions about Step Up for Students
Does Step Up cover online classes for my child?
Yes, if the provider is approved and purchases are made through the correct channel. FES-UA and PEP families can use their funds for online classes through MyScholarShop (self-paced) or by paying upfront and requesting reimbursement for live classes with approved educators. Outschool is an approved provider. FES-EO funds remaining after private school tuition can also be used for online learning and tutoring through approved vendors.
How long does Step Up approval take?
It varies by program. FES-EO and PEP approvals typically take several weeks from the time your complete application is submitted. FES-UA may take longer if Step Up needs to verify your child's qualifying diagnosis. Log into your Step Up portal regularly to check your application status and respond to any requests for additional documentation promptly.
What is the difference between FES-EO and FES-UA?
FES-EO is the general educational options scholarship, open to all Florida K-12 students regardless of income or learning needs. FES-UA is specifically for students with one of 23 qualifying disabilities and provides higher funding amounts to reflect those students' additional needs. If your child has a qualifying diagnosis, applying for FES-UA is usually the better choice because of the higher award potential.
Can I use Step Up funds alongside other financial aid?
Step Up scholarships can generally be used alongside other forms of financial assistance, but there are coordination rules. You cannot receive both an FES-EO and an FES-UA scholarship for the same child simultaneously. Check with Step Up directly if you are managing multiple funding sources.
What happens to unused Step Up funds at the end of the year?
Unused funds do not typically carry over to the next year. Check your specific scholarship's terms on the Step Up portal or contact Step Up's family support team before the end of the scholarship year to make sure you have used available funds appropriately.
Is Step Up for Students available to homeschoolers?
The PEP Scholarship is designed specifically for parent-directed (homeschool) learning. FES-UA is also available to homeschoolers whose child has a qualifying diagnosis. PEP is open to new students for 2026-27 with a program capacity of 140,000 students. Apply at stepupforstudents.org.
Can my child use Step Up funds to pay for tutoring?
Yes. FES-UA, PEP, and New Worlds funds can be used for approved tutoring services, including live online tutoring through platforms like Outschool. Keep documentation of sessions and costs for your records and any reimbursement submissions.
Getting started with Step Up for Students
Step Up for Students gives Florida families real tools to build an education that fits their learner's specific needs, whether that means a private school, a structured homeschool program, online classes, therapies, or some combination. The scholarship system is more flexible than most families realize when they first hear about it.
Visit stepupforstudents.org to identify the program that matches your child's situation, gather your documentation, and apply. For families already enrolled, Outschool's Florida-eligible classes are available across dozens of subjects. Browse by subject to find something your child is actually excited about.
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