Florida Homeschool Funding & ESA Guide (2026)

Florida offers some of the most generous homeschool funding options in the country. Through the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and Family Empowerment Scholarships, families can access approximately $8,000-$34,000 annually depending on their situation^[1][2].

Since the passage of HB 1 in 2023, Florida's programs have become universal—meaning every K-12 student in the state qualifies regardless of family income. If you're homeschooling in Florida without tapping into these programs, you're leaving significant funding on the table. This guide covers everything from eligibility to approved expenses to the application process.

What Funding Is Available for Florida Homeschoolers?

Florida offers three main scholarship programs, though homeschoolers typically use PEP or FES-UA:

Personalized Education Program (PEP) — The primary option for homeschoolers. Provides approximately $8,000 annually through an ESA for families not enrolled in public or private school full-time. Capacity is set at 100,000 students for 2025-26, expanding by 40,000 annually^[1].

Family Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities (FES-UA) — For students ages 3-22 with qualifying diagnoses or IEPs. Provides approximately $10,000 on average, with students who have severe disabilities potentially receiving $22,000-$34,000 annually^[2].

Family Empowerment Scholarship - Educational Options (FES-EO) — Primarily for private school tuition, but can fund part-time homeschool arrangements. Average of $8,000 annually.

Programs are administered through Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs), primarily Step Up For Students and AAA Scholarship Foundation.

Florida Education Funding Programs Compared

PEP Eligibility Requirements

How Much Funding Can You Receive?

Funding amounts vary by program and student needs:

PEP (Standard Homeschool): Approximately $8,000 per student annually. Funds are disbursed in 10 monthly installments starting in August (changed from quarterly in 2025)^[3].

FES-UA (Special Needs): Average of $10,000 per student, but can reach $22,000-$34,000 for students with matrix scores of 254-255 indicating severe disabilities^[2]. Maximum balance cap of $50,000.

Rollover: Unused funds roll over year to year up to a $24,000 maximum accumulation. Post-graduation, funds can be used for up to 2 years if the account remains active.

Funds are accessed through the MyScholarShop platform (via Step Up For Students) or AAA's purchasing system.

What Can You Spend ESA Funds On?

• Curriculum and instructional materials — Textbooks, workbooks, online subscriptions
• Private tutoring services — From approved providers
• Virtual education programs — Online courses and virtual school programs
• Standardized testing fees — AP exams, college entrance tests, industry certifications
• Educational therapies — Speech-language, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA therapy
• Dual enrollment courses — College coursework for high school students
• Instructional equipment — Cameras for elective courses, lab equipment
• Computer hardware and software — One device purchase per 24-month period
• College savings contributions — 529 plan deposits
• Choice Navigator services — Optional guidance counseling

What Florida ESA Funds Cannot Cover

Some expenses are explicitly restricted^[4]:

- Live class tuition via reimbursement — Live classes must be purchased directly through MyScholarShop, not reimbursed afterward - Duplicate technology purchases — Cannot purchase iPad/tablet/laptop within 24 months of a prior purchase - Full-time private school tuition (for PEP students only) — PEP is for non-enrolled families - Services delivered outside Florida — All services must be delivered to a Florida address - Internet services and standalone software — Unless bundled with curriculum - Childcare programs — Not considered educational expenses - Private transportation — Cannot reimburse personal vehicle use

Important: Items not in the official Purchasing Guide require pre-authorization before purchase.

How to Apply for Florida PEP

Key Deadlines for 2026-27

Using MyScholarShop

MyScholarShop is the official spending platform for Step Up For Students scholarships. Here's how to navigate it effectively:

Getting Started: - Access MyScholarShop through your EMA (Education Market Assistant) login - Browse pre-approved vendors in the marketplace - Purchases made through MyScholarShop are paid directly from your ESA—no out-of-pocket costs or reimbursement paperwork

For Items Not in Marketplace: - Submit a pre-authorization request before purchasing - Include vendor information, item details, and educational purpose - Wait for approval before making the purchase - Only then submit for reimbursement with complete documentation

Receipt Requirements: - Receipts must show the last 4 digits of your payment card - Include item descriptions and purchase date - Keep copies for your records (recommended: 5 years)

Common Reimbursement Issues: - Denied for missing information (card digits, unclear descriptions) - Items not pre-authorized when required - Services delivered outside Florida - Processing times can reach 2-8 weeks during peak periods

FES-UA: Special Needs Funding

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities offers significantly higher funding for students with disabilities^[2].

Eligibility Requirements: - Ages 3 through grade 12 (or age 22, whichever comes first) - Must have an active IEP OR approved medical diagnosis - Qualifying diagnoses include: autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, traumatic brain injury, and many others

Funding Levels: - Average award: ~$10,000 annually - Students with matrix scores 254-255: $22,000-$34,000 annually - Maximum ESA balance cap: $50,000

Additional Eligible Expenses: - Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy - Speech-language pathology - Occupational and physical therapy - Specialized instructional services

If your child has a qualifying disability, FES-UA likely provides more funding than PEP. You can apply for both and accept whichever provides greater benefit.

PEP vs. Traditional Home Education

Understanding the difference between PEP and traditional home education is crucial before applying:

PEP (Scholarship Student): - Receive ~$8,000 annually for educational expenses - Must submit Student Learning Plan - Required annual standardized testing - Cannot register with district as home education student - Administered by Step Up For Students or AAA

Traditional Home Education (No Funding): - No state funding available - Register with your school district (letter of intent) - Annual evaluation required (portfolio review OR standardized test) - Complete curriculum and scheduling freedom - No spending restrictions or reporting

The trade-off is clear: funding comes with oversight requirements. Many families find the $8,000 worth the additional structure, but if complete autonomy is your priority, traditional home education may be preferable.

Florida Scholarship Program Decision Tree

Important Considerations Before Accepting Funds

Florida's scholarship programs are generous, but come with trade-offs:

Testing Requirements: PEP participants must take annual standardized tests. This is non-negotiable. If you oppose all testing, PEP isn't for you.

District Registration: You must withdraw from district home education to accept PEP. This changes your legal status from "home education student" to "scholarship student."

Spending Restrictions: All purchases must be for approved educational expenses. The state tracks your spending and can audit your account.

Fund Forfeiture: If your account is inactive for 2 years, remaining funds are forfeited. Strategic spending throughout the year is advisable.

Processing Delays: Reimbursements can take 2-8 weeks, and sometimes up to 60 days during peak periods. Plan curriculum purchases early.

The Bottom Line

Florida's PEP and FES-UA programs offer homeschool families genuine financial support—$8,000 or more annually for curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and educational resources. Since becoming universal in 2023, nearly any Florida family can access these funds.

The application process starts February 1, 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. If you're interested, mark that date and gather your documentation now. The priority deadline of April 30 comes faster than expected.

Start by visiting stepupforstudents.org to create your account and explore your options. With proper planning, you could have thousands of dollars available for your child's education by next fall.