Quick answers.
- Does Step Up reimburse the original price or the discounted sale price?
- Step Up reimburses the actual net amount paid out of pocket after all store discounts, promotional codes, and coupons have been applied. You cannot claim the pre-discount MSRP.
- Can I claim a curriculum bundle that includes non-educational gifts or hardware?
- If a holiday bundle includes prohibited items such as general-purpose tablets, toys, or non-educational extras, Step Up cannot approve the unitemized package. Only line items that qualify under the PEP Purchasing Guide are reimbursable.
- Can I pay for holiday sales with store gift cards and get reimbursed?
- Using store gift cards creates documentation friction in EMA because Step Up requires clear proof of payment linking the purchase to the parent's funds. Gift cards purchased with scholarship funds are strictly prohibited.
- What is the reimbursement submission deadline for holiday 2026 purchases?
- Purchases made during November and December 2026 fall within the 2026–27 school year purchase window (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), and Step Up’s request window remains open until July 31, 2027.
The short answer: yes, with 3 rules.
Florida Personalized Education Program (PEP) families can take full advantage of seasonal sales, promotional discounts, and holiday curriculum clearances.
Because purchases made in November or December fall within the 2026–27 academic purchase window (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), you have until July 31, 2027 to submit those claims in EMA.
However, holiday clearance receipts trigger common rejections when parents overlook three essential documentation rules.
1. Actual amount paid: coupons and discounts.
Step Up reimburses the actual net price paid, not the original list price or pre-sale retail value.
- Storewide discount codes: If a curriculum publisher offers a 25% site-wide discount, your EMA reimbursement claim must match the net amount charged to your card.
- Line-item promotional adjustments: Your receipt or PDF invoice must display the itemized breakdown showing the discount line item, applicable shipping, and the final grand total paid.
- Review our detailed guide on PEP reimbursement requirements to understand how invoice totals must align with submitted claim amounts.
2. Bundles and gift packages: the mixed cart trap.
Holiday sales frequently package educational courses together with promotional freebies, bonus kits, or retailer gift items.
Under the PEP Purchasing Guide, Step Up evaluates expenses strictly line by line:
- All-educational curriculum bundles: A comprehensive grade-level curriculum package containing textbooks, workbooks, teacher guides, and digital course access is eligible under standard curriculum guidelines.
- Promotional non-educational extras: If a retailer packages an online science course with toys, general-purpose headphones, or tablet devices, the non-educational items cannot be reimbursed. Step Up requires an itemized invoice that isolates qualifying educational learning materials.
- For a breakdown of covered vs excluded categories, see what PEP covers.
3. Gift cards and third-party proof of payment.
During holiday shopping, families frequently use store gift cards, reward points, or peer-to-peer payment apps:
- Store gift cards: Paying for curriculum using retail gift cards often leads to an EMA hold because the receipt shows a gift card payment rather than funds originating from the parent's bank or credit card. Purchasing gift cards with scholarship funds is prohibited.
- Credit card proof: Every holiday invoice must clearly display the transaction method, such as the last four digits of the card or a cleared zero balance.
- Check our reference on proof of payment requirements before submitting holiday invoices.
Track holiday sales and verify receipt details instantly.
The Florida PEP Tracker keeps your purchases, promo codes, and reimbursement statuses organized on your device.
One payment, no subscription: $49 for one student or $69 for a family. See pricing.
More Florida PEP guides.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Florida Virtual School and PEP
Can Florida PEP scholarship funds pay for Florida Virtual School? Learn Step Up's private-pay FLVS Flex rules, course tuition, and EMA invoice steps.
- 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.
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 October 26, 2026. We re-check them when new editions are published.
- PEP Reimbursement
Step Up for Students web page, read October 26, 2026: 2026–27 purchase window July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 and request deadline July 31, 2027.
stepupforstudents.org - Reimbursement Guide for Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Step Up for Students PDF: itemized price breakdowns, proof of payment, line-item criteria, and sales tax rules.
PDF - PEP Purchasing Guide, 2026–27
Step Up for Students web page: eligible curriculum, instructional software, disallowed hardware, and gift card restrictions.
stepupforstudents.org