What’s new for Florida PEP families in 2026–27.

• New for 2026–27: families may be asked to attest whether their student is enrolled in public school, or to send proof of withdrawal. The next withdrawal documentation deadline is December 9, 2026 (for Quarter 3).
• Next deposits: Step Up receives Quarter 2 funds on November 1, then February 1 and April 1.
• Switching programs this fall is limited for PEP families. Check with Step Up before you request a switch.
• Purchasing guide updates (September 16, 2026): streaming services are still eligible, and the one-of-each-item-every-two-years rule is spelled out.
• Deadlines to note: reimbursements for 2025–26 purchases by October 31, 2026; pre-authorization requests for 2026–27 by May 28, 2027.

Step Up’s handbook says Florida law requires scholarship funding organizations to verify that students are still eligible at least 30 days before each quarterly payment. Beginning in 2026–27, that means families may need to:

• Complete an attestation in EMA confirming whether the student is currently enrolled in public school, or
• Submit proof of withdrawal showing the student isn’t enrolled full-time in public school.

Step Up says families will be notified if this is needed for their student. Proof can be a completed Standard Withdrawal Form or a signed letter or email from the student’s assigned school district.

The handbook lists students who don’t need a Standard Withdrawal Form, including new 3- and 4-year-olds, new kindergarteners, students funded in Quarter 4 of 2025–26, and students who received Quarter 1 funding in August 2026.

Why it matters: the handbook warns that if a student presented for funding is found by the Florida Department of Education to be enrolled full-time in a Florida public school, the family forfeits the scholarship for the entire year.

From Step Up’s 2026–27 funding schedule:

The handbook says funds are credited to students’ scholarship accounts within two weeks, and that supplemental funding may come later if a regular deposit is delayed. It also notes the Student Learning Plan must remain complete for each funding cycle.

Step Up’s pages say slightly different things here, so read both:

• Step Up’s FAQ says families can switch scholarship programs twice a year, with a window for all students between October 2 and October 30, 2026, and that students presented for Quarter 1 funding can’t switch until after Quarter 2.
• The PEP Family Handbook says PEP renewal students can’t switch to FES-EO or FES-UA after June 15, 2026, and that switching into PEP from another scholarship must be done by the April 30 application deadline.
• If your PEP application is still in Pending Review and you want FES-UA instead, the FAQ says to decline the PEP application and contact Step Up’s Engagement Center to request the switch by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2026.

The handbook adds that all switches are subject to Florida Department of Education approval, and that total funding can’t exceed the annual amount for the new program. Call Step Up before requesting any switch to confirm eligibility and timing; the handbook asks families to do exactly that.

From Step Up’s Summary of Changes:

• Streaming services (September 16, 2026): references to streaming services were removed from the Internet Resources sections, but Step Up says streaming services are still eligible under the Educational Software & Subscriptions category.
• Frequency of purchase: the rule allows one of each item under a specific category/type/description within two years. Step Up’s example: an art easel and a kiln are both Art Equipment and can both be bought, but not two easels.
• Digital devices: still prohibited for PEP. The handbook says PEP funds can’t be used for digital devices such as laptops, computers, and other digital peripherals.

Not sure about an item? Check the PEP purchase guide and Step Up’s current purchasing guide, and request pre-authorization for anything not listed.

For receipts, proof of payment, and how to submit in EMA, see the Florida PEP reimbursement guide.