Florida Step Up for Students reimbursement: how to pay for classes and get reimbursed

If you have a Florida Step Up for Students scholarship, the hardest part often isn't qualifying. It's figuring out how to actually pay for classes and get your money back. This guide covers exactly that: the two ways Step Up funds move, how reimbursement works step by step, and how to use your scholarship for Outschool classes without losing a receipt along the way.

For the full breakdown of each program, eligibility, and how to apply, see our Florida Step Up for Students guide. This page focuses on the money mechanics after you're approved.

Two ways to spend your Step Up funds

Step Up scholarships that use an education savings account model, mainly the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), give you two ways to pay for approved expenses.

Option 1: Buy directly through MyScholarShop

MyScholarShop is the Step Up online marketplace. When a class or product is listed there, you pay for it with your scholarship funds directly, with no out-of-pocket cost and no reimbursement step. Outschool's self-paced and asynchronous classes are listed in MyScholarShop, so you can browse and check out using your balance the same way you'd use any online store.

Option 2: Pay upfront, then request reimbursement

Some approved expenses aren't sold inside MyScholarShop. Live, scheduled Outschool classes are a common example. For those, you pay at the time of enrollment, keep the receipt, and submit it through your Step Up ESA account to get reimbursed from your scholarship balance.

The rule of thumb: if you can find it in MyScholarShop, buy it there. If you can't, pay upfront and reimburse.

How Step Up reimbursement works, step by step

Step 1: Confirm the expense is approved

Before you pay out of pocket, make sure the class or service fits an approved category for your program, such as online classes, tutoring, curriculum, or instructional materials. Outschool is an approved provider. If you're unsure whether something qualifies, check the ESA approved expenses guide or your program terms first.

Step 2: Pay and save your documentation

Enroll and pay for the class, then save everything: the itemized receipt, the enrollment confirmation, and the dates of the class. Step Up wants to see what you bought, who provided it, how much it cost, and when. A screenshot of your Outschool enrollment confirmation and payment receipt covers all of that.

Step 3: Submit the reimbursement request

Log into your Step Up ESA account, start a reimbursement request, choose the matching expense category, upload your receipt and confirmation, and enter the amount. Submit it, and note the date you did.

Step 4: Wait for review and payout

Step Up reviews the request and, once approved, returns the funds to your account or your linked bank, depending on how your scholarship is set up. Processing times vary, so submit promptly rather than waiting until the end of the year.

Tips to get reimbursed faster

• Submit each receipt soon after you pay, not in a year-end batch.
• Use itemized receipts that show the provider name, class title, date, and amount.
• Match the expense to the correct category in the portal. The wrong category is a common reason requests get sent back.
• Keep a simple log of what you've submitted and what's been paid, so nothing slips through.
• Check your remaining balance before you enroll, since reimbursement only works if funds are available.

Why reimbursements get delayed or denied

Most holdups come down to documentation. Blurry receipts, a missing class date, a provider that isn't approved, or an expense that doesn't fit the category you selected can all bounce a request back for more information. Fix and resubmit as soon as you get the notice. If something is unclear, contact Step Up's family support team through your portal before you spend, not after.

Using your scholarship for Outschool classes

Families with FES-UA or PEP funds can use their scholarship for Outschool two ways: buy self-paced classes directly in MyScholarShop, or pay upfront for live classes and submit the receipt for reimbursement. FES-EO families can put funds left over after private school tuition toward online learning and tutoring through approved vendors. For a homeschool-specific walkthrough, see how to use your Florida scholarship to homeschool, and for the wider program picture, our Florida scholarship programs overview.

For questions about Outschool eligibility or submitting for reimbursement, email support@outschool.com.

Frequently asked questions about Step Up reimbursement

Do I have to pay upfront for Outschool classes?

Only for classes that aren't in MyScholarShop. Self-paced Outschool classes are listed in MyScholarShop, so you can buy those directly with your funds. Live classes are the pay-upfront-and-reimburse path.

How long does reimbursement take?

It varies by program and by how complete your submission is. A clean request with an itemized receipt and the correct category moves faster. Submit early and check your portal for status updates or requests for more documentation.

What documentation do I need?

An itemized receipt and your enrollment confirmation showing the provider, the class, the date, and the amount paid. Keep both until the reimbursement is complete.

Can FES-EO families get reimbursed for Outschool?

FES-EO funds go to private school tuition first. Whatever remains can be used for approved online learning and tutoring, which can include Outschool through approved channels.

What happens to unused funds?

Unused funds generally don't carry over. Check your scholarship's terms in the Step Up portal and use your balance before the scholarship year ends.

Get started

Once you know which path applies, MyScholarShop for self-paced, pay-and-reimburse for live, spending your Step Up funds gets a lot less stressful. Browse Outschool's Florida-eligible classes by subject and find something your kid is genuinely excited about.