Quick answers.
- Is Florida Virtual School free for Florida PEP students?
- No. Unlike traditional county homeschoolers who can access FLVS Flex through their school district for free, Step Up’s purchasing guide states: “Students utilizing FLVS must be enrolled as a private-pay student.”
- What happens if a PEP student enrolls in FLVS as a public school student?
- Step Up’s purchasing guide warns: “If a student is enrolled on a full-time basis in FLVS and funded as a public-school student, the student will lose eligibility and funding for the FTC-PEP Scholarship.”
- Can Florida PEP funds pay for FLVS course tuition?
- Yes. Step Up confirms: “Tuition and fees required for enrollment as a private-pay student at an approved virtual school are eligible expenses under PEP.”
- How do parents pay for FLVS courses using Step Up funds?
- Parents can pay FLVS directly out of pocket and submit the paid invoice for reimbursement in EMA, or arrange direct provider payment if the school district contracts as an eligible provider.
The short version.
Many families transitioning from standard Florida home education to the Personalized Education Program (PEP) are surprised to discover that Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is not free under the scholarship:
- FLVS is an allowable expense: Step Up’s rulebook states: “Tuition and fees required for enrollment as a private-pay student at an approved virtual school are eligible expenses under PEP.”
- Must be private-pay: Step Up’s purchasing guide specifies: “Students utilizing FLVS must be enrolled as a private-pay student.”
- Do not enroll as a public school student: If a student enrolls in FLVS through the public school system where the state funds their seat, the scholarship ends. Step Up warns: “If a student is enrolled on a full-time basis in FLVS and funded as a public-school student, the student will lose eligibility and funding for the FTC-PEP Scholarship.”
- How to pay: Families pay FLVS course tuition directly and upload the paid invoice for reimbursement in EMA, or use contracted school services where available.
For broader program rules on private schooling and college coursework, see private school, college, and VPK rules.
Why FLVS works differently under PEP.
Under standard Florida home education (Florida Statute § 1002.41), students register with their local county school district and can take individual FLVS Flex courses funded by the state's public education budget.
However, Florida PEP (Florida Statute § 1002.394) is an Education Savings Account funded by state tax-credit dollars. Florida law strictly prohibits receiving public school formula funding while receiving scholarship disbursements.
When you accept PEP:
- You withdraw your letter of intent from the local county school superintendent.
- Your student is no longer funded as a public school student.
- Any courses taken through FLVS must be billed under FLVS Flex private-pay tuition rates.
If you are concerned about maintaining your scholarship status, review the full list of rules on how you can lose the PEP scholarship.
Paying for FLVS in the EMA portal.
Step Up provides two approved methods for handling FLVS course fees:
| Payment Method | How It Works | What You Submit |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement | Parent pays FLVS tuition directly, then files a claim in EMA. | Itemized paid invoice from FLVS showing student name, course title, term dates, and proof of payment. |
| Contracted School Services | The district or school contracts directly with Step Up as a provider. | School bills Step Up through the provider portal; funds disburse from the student's scholarship account. |
The purchasing guide notes that a student who receives contracted services from a public school or FLVS on a private-pay basis is not considered enrolled in a public school for scholarship eligibility purposes, provided the district does not report the student for state full-time equivalent funding.
For documentation standards on paid tuition invoices, see our Step Up reimbursement guide and the PEP Purchasing Guide, explained.
Common mistakes to avoid with virtual schooling.
- Selecting the wrong enrollment tier in the FLVS portal: When creating or updating an FLVS account, ensure your student profile reflects private-pay scholarship enrollment rather than county-funded homeschool enrollment.
- Missing course completion dates on receipts: Step Up requires tuition invoices to specify the educational term or instruction period.
- Attempting full-time public enrollment: Enrolling in FLVS Full-Time (the statewide public school branch) automatically triggers public school reporting, causing an immediate scholarship freeze.
If you have questions about whether a specific online program or virtual course is approved, Step Up's Customer Engagement Center can be reached at (877) 735-7837.
Track every course invoice and balance before you enroll.
The Florida PEP Tracker keeps tuition payments, course statuses, and remaining balances organized offline on your device.
One payment, no subscription: $49 for one student or $69 for a family. See pricing.
More Florida PEP guides.
Spending and reimbursements
- Can Step Up pay for gift cards?
Can you buy gift cards or use Amazon or Target store credit with Florida PEP funds? Learn why Step Up denies gift card claims and how to handle discounts.
- Can Step Up pay for a desk?
Can Florida PEP or Step Up funds buy a homeschool desk, chair, or bookshelf? Explore eligible at-home classroom furnishings, restrictions, and the 2-year rule.
- Online curriculum and apps
Can Florida PEP pay for IXL, Beast Academy, Outschool, and digital curriculum? Learn Step Up's single-user rules and reimbursement documentation.
- Can Step Up pay for a laptop?
Can you buy a laptop, computer, iPad, or printer with Florida PEP scholarship funds? Learn what Step Up's handbook and purchasing guide prohibit.
- Musical instruments & lessons
Can Florida PEP scholarship funds pay for musical instruments, instrument rentals, or piano lessons? Review Step Up fine arts rules and required invoice details.
- Zoo & museum memberships
Can Florida PEP scholarship funds pay for zoo, aquarium, and museum annual passes? See Step Up proration rules, family pass calculations, and EMA steps.
- Amazon receipts guide
Step-by-step guide to submitting Amazon receipts for Step Up reimbursement in EMA: downloading shipped invoices, proof of payment, and avoiding holds.
- The PEP Purchasing Guide, explained
A plain-English map of Step Up’s 2026–27 PEP Purchasing Guide: where to find it, the expense categories, prohibited items, and what needs pre-authorization.
- Splitting receipts between siblings
How Step Up prorates shared family purchases, multi-user subscriptions, and receipts split between siblings under Florida PEP.
- PEP for tutoring
Can Florida PEP pay for a tutor? Step Up’s credential rules for part-time and full-time tutors, what a tutoring invoice needs, and how tutors get paid.
- Does PEP cover it?
Does Florida PEP cover swim lessons, summer camp, sports, printers, headphones, transportation, or uniforms? Answers in the words of Step Up’s purchasing guide.
- PEP and therapy services
What Step Up’s PEP handbook and purchasing guide say about speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA, and other specialized services, and where the pages differ.
- Finding PEP providers
Where Step Up for Students lists PEP providers and vendors: Find Providers in EMA, the vendor directory, the service categories chart, and how direct pay works.
- PEP pre-authorization
Which PEP purchases need pre-authorization from Step Up, how to submit a request in EMA, what to include, how long review takes, and what happens after approval.
- PEP reimbursement guide
How Step Up reimburses Florida PEP purchases: receipt rules, proof of payment, EMA steps, the Educational Benefit form, review time, holds, and appeals.
- How MyScholarShop works
How MyScholarShop works for Florida PEP families: when it opens, checking out, order statuses, shipping, returns, and cancelled orders, from Step Up’s own pages.
- What is EMA?
What EMA (Education Market Assistant) is for Florida PEP families: what you can do in it, account setup, MyScholarShop, and the account rules.
- PEP for private school, college, VPK
Can Florida PEP pay for private school, college classes, VPK, or preschool? What Step Up’s PEP pages and Florida law say, and which program fits instead.
- Proof of payment guide
What Step Up for Students requires for proof of payment: PayPal rules, credit card receipts, bank statements, cleared checks, and fixing payment holds in EMA.
News & policy updates
- 48 hours to Oct 31 deadline
With 48 hours until the October 31, 2026 midnight cutoff, learn which prior-year Step Up receipts expire, what proof is required, and how to file in EMA.
- Step Up Disney & theme park rules
Can Florida PEP pay for Disney, Universal, or SeaWorld? Learn the $299 annual cap, student-only admission rules, and how to avoid denied claims.
- LEGO, KiwiCo, & STEM kits
Does Florida PEP cover LEGO sets, KiwiCo boxes, and STEM kits? Learn what Step Up's Learning Manipulatives category allows and common reimbursement mistakes.
- Faith-based curriculum rules
Does Florida PEP allow religious and faith-based homeschool curriculum? Review Step Up purchasing rules, publisher receipts, and what qualifies in EMA.
- Sports and PE lesson rules
Does Florida PEP pay for sports lessons, martial arts, gymnastics, or swim instruction? Review Step Up Physical Education rules and prohibited items.
- MyScholarShop vs reimbursement
Compare Step Up MyScholarShop direct vendor pay versus out-of-pocket reimbursement: review turnaround times, price differences, and return rules.
- Oct 31 receipt cutoff
Florida PEP families face the October 31, 2026 deadline for 2025–26 reimbursement claims. See what receipts expire and how to file in EMA.
- Nov 2026 Q2 deposit timing
Why Step Up’s November 1 funding date doesn’t mean instant account balances: how the 2-week EMA deposit window works and how to verify Q2 funds.
- The $24,000 balance cap
Why Step Up halts Quarter 2 funding if your account nears $24,000: how Florida's statutory ceiling works and what happens to paused PEP deposits.
- Black Friday Step Up deals
Can Florida PEP families claim Black Friday and Cyber Week sales? See how Step Up treats coupon discounts, bundled items, and gift card purchases in EMA.
- Step Up quarterly attestation
Before Step Up releases Quarter 2 funds on November 1, parents must verify student enrollment in EMA. Here is what to check to avoid funding pauses.
- On hold receipts in EMA
Seeing an 'On Hold' status on your Step Up reimbursement in EMA? Learn what document is missing, the 30-day upload clock, and how to fix claims.
- Denied reimbursement appeals
Has Step Up denied a reimbursement in EMA? Learn how the 30-day appeal clock works, Step Up's single-appeal rule, and how to submit a winning appeal.
Payments, balances, and deadlines
- Is Step Up money taxable?
Are Step Up for Students and Florida PEP scholarship funds taxable income? Learn what IRS educational grant rules, 1099 policies, and Florida law say.
- PEP payment dates for 2026–27
Step Up for Students PEP payment schedule for 2026–27: quarterly funding dates, how long deposits take to post, and what can hold a payment back.
- PEP deadline checklist (Oct 31)
Florida PEP families have until October 31, 2026 to request reimbursement for 2025–26 purchases. A step-by-step checklist to find, check, and submit every receipt in EMA.
- PEP award amounts by county
Every 2026–27 PEP scholarship amount from Step Up’s chart, for all 67 Florida counties and three grade bands, plus why EMA may show a different number.
- Do PEP funds roll over?
What Step Up for Students and Florida law say about unused PEP money: rollover, the $24,000 balance limit, inactive accounts, and switching programs.
- Is PEP free? Income and funding
Is Florida PEP free or income based? What Step Up and Florida law say about application fees, income priority, and where PEP scholarship money comes from.
Eligibility and yearly rules
- Standardized testing options
Which standardized tests qualify for Florida PEP? Learn about CLT, CAT, Iowa, Stanford 10, assessment fees, and annual SLP submission requirements.
- Can you lose PEP?
The reasons Step Up lists for losing a Florida PEP scholarship, including public school enrollment and moving, what happens to the money, and whether you repay it.
- What’s new for PEP in 2026–27
What changed in the 2026–27 PEP Family Handbook: public school attestation and withdrawal deadlines, deposit dates, switching rules, and purchasing guide updates.
- PEP application statuses
What each Step Up EMA status means for a Florida PEP application, from Pending and On Hold to Pending Review, Scholarship Choice Confirmed, Funded, and Denied.
- PEP and homeschooling
Is Florida PEP for homeschoolers? How PEP differs from a home education program: registration, letter of intent, testing, and when to end home education.
- How to apply for PEP
How to apply for the Florida PEP scholarship through Step Up: age and residency rules, documents, the EMA steps, and last year’s dates while 2027–28 dates are pending.
- How to renew PEP
How Florida PEP renewal works with Step Up: who counts as a renewal student, what keeps renewal status, documents, and last year’s renewal dates.
- What Step Up for Students is
What Step Up for Students is, and which Florida scholarship the name refers to: PEP, private school (FTC and FES-EO), or Unique Abilities.
- Is PEP full?
How many Florida PEP scholarships the law allows, when the cap ends, what Step Up’s pages say about capacity, and why they don’t all match.
- PEP for military families
What Step Up’s pages say about Florida PEP for active-duty military families: residency proof, PCS orders, deadline exceptions, and moving out of state.
- PEP testing and SLP
Florida PEP’s yearly requirements: the norm-referenced test, who must test (including K–2), the Student Learning Plan, deadlines, and exemptions.
- PEP vs FES-UA
What the FES-UA scholarship is, who qualifies, and how it differs from Florida PEP: diagnosis, ages, home education, therapies, devices, and deadlines.
Sources.
All read on November 5, 2026. We re-check them when new editions are published.
- PEP Purchasing Guide
Step Up for Students web page, last modified October 28, 2026, read November 5, 2026: Tuition & Fees As A Private-Pay Student For Florida Virtual School, and Contracted Services Provided By A Public School.
stepupforstudents.org - PEP Family Handbook (2026–27)
Step Up for Students web page, last modified October 28, 2026, read November 5, 2026: public school enrollment prohibitions and scholarship termination criteria.
stepupforstudents.org