PARENT/GUARDIAN HANDBOOK
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
1
Click on any line within the Table of Contents to go directly to the section.
Table of Contents
Contact Step Up For Students ............................................................................................................................ 4
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Parent and Guardian Rights and Responsibilities ........................................................................................ 4
Data Confidentiality ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Data Security ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Federal Special Education Law ...................................................................................................................... 5
Maintaining Up-to-Date Contact Information ........................................................................................... 6
Qualifying and Applying for a Scholarship ..................................................................................................... 6
Eligibility Requirements .................................................................................................................................... 6
Documenting a Child’s Diagnosis ................................................................................................................. 7
Applying for a Scholarship .............................................................................................................................. 8
Multiple Applications Prohibited .................................................................................................................... 8
Proof of Residency ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Proof of Residency for Active-Duty Military Families ......................................................................... 9
Award Prioritization........................................................................................................................................... 9
Program Capacity ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Program Cap Exceptions .............................................................................................................................. 10
Application Deadline ...................................................................................................................................... 11
Scholarship Participation Requirements ...................................................................................................... 11
Annual Assessment Requirement.............................................................................................................. 12
Leaving the Scholarship Program .............................................................................................................. 12
Continuing Program Eligibility ..................................................................................................................... 13
Placement in Residential Programs ........................................................................................................... 13
Funding for Scholarships ................................................................................................................................... 13
Scholarship Amounts ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Previous Gardiner and McKay Scholarship Recipients ................................................................... 14
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
2
Student Matrix Level of Services ................................................................................................................ 14
Scholarship Funding Proration .................................................................................................................... 15
Scholarship Funding Schedule .................................................................................................................... 15
Funding Continuation and Rollover ........................................................................................................... 16
Account Closure and Fund Revocation .................................................................................................... 16
Transferring Among Scholarship Funding Organizations .................................................................. 16
Authorized Uses of Scholarship Program Funds ....................................................................................... 17
General Purchasing Rules ................................................................................................................................. 18
Making Successful Purchases ..................................................................................................................... 18
Pre-Authorization ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Educational Benefit Form .............................................................................................................................. 19
Receiving Payments, Refunds or Rebates .............................................................................................. 20
Frequency of Purchase Limitations ............................................................................................................ 20
Items that are Lost, Stolen or Broken Beyond Repair .......................................................................... 20
Direct Payment for Services ............................................................................................................................. 21
Direct Billing for Eligible Private School Enrollment ................................................................................. 21
Full-Time Eligible Private School Students ............................................................................................. 21
Part-Time Eligible Private School Students ............................................................................................ 22
Enrolling Pre-K Students in an Eligible Private School ........................................................................ 23
Transferring Schools and the 10-Day Rule ............................................................................................. 23
Direct Payment for College Savings Plans .................................................................................................. 24
Florida 529 College Savings Plans ............................................................................................................ 24
MyScholarShop .................................................................................................................................................... 24
MyScholarShop Guidelines ........................................................................................................................... 25
MyScholarShop Returns ................................................................................................................................ 25
Status Definitions ............................................................................................................................................ 25
Submitting Reimbursement Requests .......................................................................................................... 26
Reimbursement Timing ................................................................................................................................. 26
Reimbursement Status Definitions ............................................................................................................ 27
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
3
Advance Reimbursement ............................................................................................................................. 27
Required Supporting Documentation ....................................................................................................... 28
Proof of Payment ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Documenting Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds ............................................................................ 30
Reimbursement Mechanism ............................................................................................................................. 37
Appeals ............................................................................................................................................................... 37
Actions That May Lead to a Loss of the Scholarship ............................................................................... 38
For More Information .......................................................................................................................................... 39
Contact Information ............................................................................................................................................ 39
Appendix A ............................................................................................................................................................ 40
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
4
Contact Step Up For Students
The Step Up For Students Customer Engagement Center is available Monday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. Parents and guardians who have questions or need assistance
can contact Step Up via chat at StepUpForStudents.org, phone at (877) 735-7837, or
visit the
Contact Us page on the Step Up For Students website.
Parents or guardians should be prepared to provide the phone number or email address
associated with the account, security question answers, or other details to verify their identity.
Overview
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is a
scholarship program that helps parents and guardians customize their student’s education.
The student scholarship account functions like a bank account from which a parent or guardian
directs funds to pay for tuition and fees for an eligible, participating private school, home
education options, therapies, tutoring, and other education-related expenses allowed by law.
Step Up For Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of
Florida to administer education choice scholarship programs.
This handbook helps parents and guardians understand the rules governing the scholarship
program and guides them through the process of applying for and using the FES-UA
scholarship.
Parent and Guardian Rights and Responsibilities
Parents and guardians of scholarship recipients are subject to all scholarship program rules and
responsibilities, including the annual Sworn Compliance Statement and Terms & Conditions in
EMA or the Legacy System, relevant statutes, and rules set by the Florida Department of
Education.
Parents or guardians of students receiving and using scholarship funds may not take
possession of funds at any time and are prohibited from being paid from scholarship funds for
services provided to their own scholarship student.
The terms outlined in this handbook are subject to change.
Data Confidentiality
The information available behind the parent or guardian login in EMA and the Legacy System is
personal and confidential.
A parent or guardian may not assign responsibility for submitting any application or
reimbursement documentation to another user and must not provide anyone, including service
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
5
providers or personnel at a private school, access to a student’s scholarship account by
providing a username and password.
Doing so may result in loss of scholarship eligibility and funding, and/or financial or criminal
penalties. Step Up For Students will not be responsible for changes or purchases made by
anyone other than the account owner if the login information has been shared.
This policy is intended to prevent misuse of scholarship funds and protect the confidentiality of
sensitive financial and educational information that belongs to students and their parents or
guardians.
Data Security
Step Up For Students will never ask a parent or guardian for the following information via
email, phone call, or text message:
• Full account password or any part of it
• Full social security number (Step Up may ask for the last 4 digits for account verification
purposes)
• Credit card number or banking details
• Any personal identification numbers other than the PIN provided on the scholarship
application
Parents or guardians who receive any communication requesting this type of information or
have received a suspicious email, must not respond or click on any links. Instead, they should
report the activity immediately on the Contact Us page
on the Step Up For Students website.
Federal Special Education Law
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides important procedural
safeguards for students with disabilities.
A student participating in the scholarship program has the rights afforded to unilaterally or
parentally placed private school or home educated students under the law. School districts are
not obligated to provide that student with a free appropriate public education (FAPE). More
details are outlined in this document from the Florida Department of Education
.
Scholarship students may be entitled to special education services provided by their local
school district under Part B of IDEA. To receive those services, they must have a need identified
in a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or receive an evaluation from their district.
Parents or guardians may contact their local school district's special education department
or
Parentally Privately Placed office for more information on how to request an evaluation and
access special education services for a student who does not attend a public school.
Evaluations completed by a private, licensed provider may also be provided to the district.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
6
Scholarship students have a right to an IEP or matrix level of services developed by their local
school district. More information about matrix level evaluations is available in
Revising a
Student’s Matrix of Services.
Maintaining Up-to-Date Contact Information
Parents or guardians should keep contact information current, especially their primary email
address. This is the primary way Step Up For Students will communicate important information
related to a student’s scholarship.
Parents or guardians should update email filters to accept messages from Step Up For
Students so emails are not sent to spam or junk folders.
If at any point there is a change of physical or mailing address, telephone number, cell phone
number or email address, the information must be updated in EMA. Parents or guardians
should contact Step Up For Students to update their Proof of Residency
.
Qualifying and Applying for a Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities is available to
students who are:
• Age 3 or older (with a 3
rd
birthday on or before December 31 of the year their parent or
guardian applies for a scholarship),
• Less than 22 years old,
• Florida residents, or dependent children of active-duty members of the United States
Armed Forces who have received Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Florida
or renewing students whose home record or state of legal residence is Florida and have
received PCS orders outside of Florida,
• Eligible to enroll in a Florida public school (if applicable for their age),
• And diagnosed with one of the following conditions:
o Anaphylaxis
o Autism Spectrum Disorder
o Cerebral Palsy
o Down Syndrome
o Emotional or Behavioral Disability
o Hearing Impairment, including deafness
o High-Risk Child
o Hospital or Homebound
o Identification as Dual Sensory Impaired
o Intellectual Disability (severe cognitive impairment)
o Language Impairment
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
7
o Muscular Dystrophy
o Orthopedic Impairment
o Other Health Impairment
o Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
o Prader-Willi Syndrome
o Rare Diseases (defined by NORD)
o Specific Learning Disability
o Speech Impairment
o Spina Bifida
o Traumatic Brain Injury
o Visual Impairment, including blindness
o Williams Syndrome
Detailed definitions are available by clicking a specific diagnosis listed above or in Appendix A
at the end of this document.
A parent or guardian may share the list of qualifying diagnoses with a medical or mental health
professional before applying to understand if their child meets the requirements.
Misrepresenting any information provided to Step Up For Students in a scholarship application
could result in the revocation of the student’s scholarship and may be punishable as a crime.
Documenting a Child’s Diagnosis
A student may qualify for the scholarship with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) identifying
one of the conditions above, approved by their school district within the past three years, in
accordance with the rules of the Florida Board of Education or the rules of another state OR a
diagnosis validated by one of the following medical or mental health professionals:
• Physician licensed in Florida or another state or territory of the United States (including
the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico).
• Florida-licensed Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
• Florida-licensed psychologist
Parents and guardians usually only need to document a child’s diagnosis the first year they
apply for a scholarship, except for students who qualify as High-Risk, Dual Sensory Impaired,
or Hospital or Homebound.
Parents and guardians of students who initially qualify under the High-Risk designation must
provide documentation of eligibility for the student, under one of the other diagnoses outlined
above, if the student will turn 6 years old on or before September 1 of the school year they
apply.
A current IEP is required to demonstrate a dual sensory impaired or a Hospital or Homebound
diagnosis, and Hospital or Homebound IEPs must be updated each year.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
8
Applying for a Scholarship
Step Up For Students requires parents and guardians to submit a complete scholarship
application each year through their EMA account, which can be accessed at
StepUpForStudents.org
.
EMA, the Education Market Assistant, is the system Step Up For Students created to help
parents and guardians manage every aspect of their student’s scholarship, starting with the
online scholarship application.
This video and this guide
explains how to create a parent or guardian account in EMA. Using
their login, parents and guardians can complete an online application and submit
documentation required to confirm the student’s age, diagnosis, applicant Florida residency,
and attest to compliance for the rules of the program.
This guide explains how to complete an application and this checklist outlines the documents a
parent or guardian should prepare when they apply.
A parent or guardian must use their phone number, physical address and email address, and no
one else’s, in their guardian profile.
A participating school or provider may not apply on behalf of a parent or guardian, submit
documentation, or otherwise act on behalf of the parent or guardian. Schools or providers must
not request access to or obtain the parent’s or guardian’s information to access the student’s
scholarship account.
Doing so may result in revocation of the provider’s participation in the program or the student’s
scholarship eligibility and funding and may carry a financial or criminal penalty.
Multiple Applications Prohibited
Scholarship program statutes prohibit a student from applying for more than one scholarship
for the same student at the same time.
If a parent or guardian applies for both FES-UA and a Florida Tax Credit Scholarship or Family
Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options for the same student, that student will
remain on the FES-UA scholarship.
If a parent or guardian has applied for one scholarship for their student and would like their
student to participate in a different scholarship program, they must submit a
completed
scholarship decline form before applying to avoid a funding delay.
If a student attends an eligible private school, parents or guardians should communicate with
their child’s school before changing scholarship programs to confirm which scholarships their
school accepts.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
9
A parent or guardian may only submit one application per scholarship program. Parents or
guardians should make sure all students from whom they wish to apply are added to the My
Students section in EMA before submitting their application.
A scholarship student may only be associated with one parent or guardian account. If a student
has multiple parents or guardians and appears on multiple scholarship accounts, there may be a
delay in the student's scholarship processing or funding. If a current scholarship student's
guardianship is updated, their parent or guardian must contact Step Up to update this
information.
Proof of Residency
The applying parents and guardian must prove they are a resident of Florida to be eligible for
an FES-UA scholarship.
This checklist
outlines documents that can serve as proof of residency.
Proof of Residency for Active-Duty Military Families
Students who are dependent children of active-duty members of the United States Armed
Forces with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to move into or current scholarship
students under orders to move out of Florida can apply for an FES-UA scholarship.
If a new student is moving to Florida, but has not yet established residency, the parent or
guardian should:
1. Upload the PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section of the scholarship application.
2. Be sure the physical address in their guardian profile matches the newly assigned unit
address on the PCS orders they submit.
3. Once residency in Florida is established, call Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 to
provide an updated Proof of Residency.
Note: Students will not receive funds until an updated Proof of Residency is received, and the
physical address is updated in the guardian profile in EMA.
If a renewal student is moving out of Florida, the parent or guardian should:
1. Upload a Leave and Earnings Statement, IRS Domicile 2058 or DFAS Form 702 in the
Student Information section of the scholarship application.
2. Upload the PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section of the scholarship application.
Award Prioritization
Scholarship applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships will
be awarded in this order of priority:
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
10
1. Renewal students: Students who received an FES-UA scholarship during the 2023-24
school year.
2. New students: Students who did not receive an FES-UA scholarship during the 2023-
24 school year, or who declined a scholarship during the 2023-24 school year.
Program Capacity
The number of applications received by Step Up For Students may exceed program capacity.
Florida statutes limit the number of scholarships available each school year. Step Up For
Students strongly encourages parents and guardians to submit an application and any required
supporting documents as soon as possible.
If program capacity allows, students will receive scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis.
A parent or guardian will receive an email notification regarding their student’s updated
application status.
Program Cap Exceptions
The following categories of students are not included in the total scholarship capacity, and may
receive scholarships even if the program exceeds capacity. If an applicant indicates an
exception that requires additional documentation, a prompt will appear to provide it.
• Dependents of a law enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10(1), F.S. or an active-
duty member of the United States Armed Forces. Applicants can document their
exclusion with:
o A photocopy of the law enforcement officer’s badge
o The Service Member’s Leave and Earnings Statement for the month the application
was submitted.
• Foster child. Applicants can document their exception with a copy of the Foster
Placement documentation, or other similar legal documentation.
• Adopted child. Applicants can document their exception with a copy of an Adoption
Decree, or other similar legal documentation.
• Students who received specialized instructional services under the Voluntary
Prekindergarten Education Program described in s. 1002.66, F.S. during the previous
school year and have a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) developed by the
district school board in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
• Students who spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida public school or the
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
• Students who received a John M. McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities in the
2021-22 school year.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
11
Students who are excluded from the annual statutory cap may experience temporary
application processing holds while their cap exception is verified.
Application Deadline
The last day to submit a scholarship application for the 2024-25 school year will be Friday,
December 6, 2024. The last date to submit documentation required to process a scholarship
application will be Friday, December 13, 2024.
Applications may close earlier if the program reaches its full capacity. Parents or guardians will
have an opportunity to register for a program interest list.
Scholarship Participation Requirements
Once awarded a scholarship, the parent or guardian can access their student’s Award ID by
logging in to EMA, as outlined in this video
. Parents or guardians may also print this notice to
save for their records or document their student’s participation in the scholarship program.
A student must enroll in one of the following programs that meets regular school attendance
requirements:
• A parochial, religious or denominational school
• A private school
• A home education program registered with their local school district
A student awarded an FES-UA scholarship may not enroll full time in any public school,
including:
• A charter school
• A developmental research school
• Any other Florida public school
• Florida Virtual School or any other online public school
• The College-Preparatory Boarding Academy
• The Florida Scholars Academy
• The Florida School for Competitive Academics
• The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
Parents and guardians may use their student’s scholarship to pay for classes or services
provided by public schools, but public schools may not report the student to the state for
funding.
Students may not receive multiple K – 12 scholarships at the same time, including the Florida
Tax Credit Scholarship, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, the
Transportation Stipend, or New Worlds Scholarship Accounts programs.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
12
More information for students who want to leave their current scholarship program for another
option is available below under Leaving the Scholarship Program
.
Students may use the FES-UA scholarship and the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education
Program at an eligible private school at the same time. They may not use an FES-UA
scholarship and VPK’s Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS) at the same time.
Annual Assessment Requirement
Students in grades 3 – 10 attending an eligible private school using scholarship funds are
required to take a
Florida Department of Education-approved, standardized, nationally norm-
referenced assessment.
Students with disabilities for whom standardized testing is not appropriate are exempt from
this requirement.
Leaving the Scholarship Program
Parents or guardians must notify Step Up For Students immediately, and submit a completed
scholarship decline form, if a scholarship student:
• Enrolls, and is reported to the state for public funding, in any public school, including
Florida Virtual School or another online school. (Students may use their scholarships to
pay for courses or other services provided by these institutions.)
• Intends to apply for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, the Family Empowerment
Scholarship for Education Options, a Personalized Education Program (PEP)
scholarship, the Transportation Stipend, or New Worlds Scholarship Accounts program.
• Receives Specialized Instructional Services under the Voluntary Prekindergarten
Education Program described in s. 1002.66, F.S.
• Moves out of state (except for renewing students of active-duty members of the United
States Armed Forces who receive permanent change of station orders out of state while
maintaining legal residence in Florida).
Failure to notify Step Up For Students could result in a loss of funding, loss of future eligibility,
and/or financial or criminal penalties.
If state records show a student enrolled in a public school after receiving scholarship funds, the
funds deposited into the student’s account for that school year will be returned to the state of
Florida.
If a student is found enrolled in public school or another scholarship program, their parent or
guardian will be notified by email and should contact Step Up For Students immediately.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
13
Continuing Program Eligibility
Once a student’s scholarship has been funded, a parent or guardian may submit a renewal
application each year to continue with the scholarship as long as they meet residency
requirements and remain eligible to enroll in a Florida public school. The student will remain
eligible until they return to public school, graduate high school, or turn 22.
Renewal students do not have to requalify for the scholarship unless their qualifying disability
status changes.
A student will need to apply for the scholarship as a new student if they:
• Do not renew their scholarship and “sit out” a year.
• Leave the program and later seek to resume participation.
If a student turns 22, graduates high school, or enrolls full-time in a public school, but still has
funds remaining in their scholarship account, the parent or guardian must complete an
application, note their intent to continue with the program, and provide the required
documentation to use the remaining funds.
Placement in Residential Programs
If a scholarship student is placed in any residential program, the parent or guardian must
confirm how participating students meet the mandatory school attendance requirement.
• If the program uses any Florida public school, including a full-time online school, the
student may lose their scholarship eligibility if the online school reports them to the
state for funding.
• If the program uses a private school option, and the private school is an eligible,
participating private school, the student’s scholarship funds may be available to cover
the cost of tuition and fees.
Funding for Scholarships
Scholarship Amounts
The amount of funding a student receives for their FES-UA scholarship is based on three
factors:
• A student’s grade level
• The county where they live
• The level of special education services they receive
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) initiated in Florida assigns students a matrix level of 1 –
5 (251 – 255), based on the support they would receive in a public school.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
14
Students assigned matrix levels of 1, 2 or 3 (251 – 253), or who qualify for the scholarship
using a diagnosis by a medical or mental health professional, receive scholarship funding based
on average per-student special education funding in their local school district.
Students assigned matrix levels of 4 or 5 (254 – 254) receive greater funding amounts.
Scholarship funding amounts for the 2024-25 school year are broken down by grade level,
county and matrix score and available here
.
A student’s matrix level of services must be developed by a school district and submitted to the
Florida Department of Education. Step Up For Students is not involved in the development of
matrix scores, but will be notified of any updates by the department. More information is
available below under Revising a Student’s Matrix of Services
.
Previous Gardiner and McKay Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship funding for a student who used a Gardiner or McKay Scholarship in the 2020-21
school year will be the amount the student received for the 2020-21 school year or the
amount
calculated according to the 2024-25 funding chart, whichever is greater.
For these students, the Award Details in EMA may not reflect their actual funding amount. The
Award Details in EMA may incorrectly show an amount calculated for a student awarded a
scholarship in the 2024-25 school year, even though the student has been awarded a larger
funding amount based on their scholarship amount from the 2020-21 school year.
These parents or guardians may confirm their students actual funding amount by multiplying
their student’s quarterly funding by four.
Student Matrix Level of Services
A parent or guardian of a student with a disability who does not have an Individualized
Education Program (IEP) or who would like a re-evaluation of an existing IEP may choose to
request an evaluation from their local school district.
This evaluation can lead to changes in a student’s matrix of services, which could result in an
adjustment of that student’s scholarship funding. The amount may be adjusted up or down.
A parent or guardian whose child does not have an IEP may request an initial evaluation at any
time. Subsequently, an IEP re-evaluation is available once every three years.
To seek an evaluation or re-evaluation from the student’s school district, a parent or guardian
may contact the local school district to schedule the evaluation or matrix review.
• The school district is required to complete the IEP and matrix of services within 30 days
after receiving notice of the parent or guardian’s request (s. 1002.394(7)(b)1., F.S.).
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
15
• The school district will complete the evaluation and matrix review and notify the parent
or guardian and the Florida Department of Education (DOE) of the student’s updated
matrix level within 10 calendar days after its completion (s. 1002.394(7)(b)2.a., F.S.).
• The DOE will send a notification to Step Up For Students and the parent or guardian
within 10 days after receiving the school district’s notification of the matrix level (s.
1002.394(7)(b)2.b., F.S.).
• A school district may change a matrix of services only if the change is a result of an IEP
reevaluation or to correct a technical, typographical, or calculation error (s.
1002.394(7)(b)2.c., F.S.).
• Once the notification is received from the DOE, Step Up For Students will update the
matrix level on the student’s account. If applicable, the funding amount will be adjusted
to reflect the updated matrix level
Any funding changes will take effect for the quarterly funding period after an updated matrix
score is received by the DOE. Funding the student received before the update will not be
adjusted to reflect a higher or lower matrix score.
If Step Up For Students receives an updated matrix score for a student from the Department of
Education, the score will be updated in the student’s record. Please allow time for these
updates to reflect in EMA.
Step Up For Students does not participate in the IEP evaluation or matrix review process.
Scholarship Funding Proration
The amount of funding a student receives is prorated based on the date they are awarded a
scholarship.
• Students awarded a scholarship by October 25, 2024 = funded 100% of total award
amount.
• Students awarded a scholarship by January 25, 2025 = funded 50% of total award
amount.
If a scholarship is not awarded by January 25, it will not be funded in the 2024-25 school year.
Scholarship Funding Schedule
Scholarship funds are deposited into the student’s scholarship account four times a year.
Step Up For Students will receive regular quarterly funding from the state by the following
dates:
• Quarter 1: August 1 (renewal students – students who were funded in the
2023-24 school year)
September 1 (new students – students funded for the first time in the
2024-25 school year)
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
16
• Quarter 2: November 1
• Quarter 3: February 1
• Quarter 4: April 1
Funds will be deposited into the student’s account within two weeks after Step Up For
Students receives funds from the state.
The above dates are the regularly scheduled funding distributions for the FES-UA scholarship
program. Students who miss a regularly scheduled distribution may receive supplemental
funding.
Funding Continuation and Rollover
Once funds are deposited into the student’s account, parents or guardians may use the funds
for items and services described in the sections below.
A student’s unspent scholarship funds may be rolled over from one school year to the next.
However, under Florida law, Step Up For Students cannot transfer funds into the student’s
scholarship account that would raise the balance above $50,000.
If a student returns to public school, graduates from high school, or reaches 22 years of age on
or before July 1 (whichever comes first), the student will not be eligible for additional
scholarship funding. Funds received while a student is eligible for the program will remain in
their account in EMA.
Account Closure and Fund Revocation
A student’s scholarship account must be closed and any remaining funds, including any
contributions made to the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Savings Program or to the
Florida College Savings Program (529), will be returned to the state after:
• Denial or revocation of program eligibility by the commissioner for fraud or abuse,
• Any period of three consecutive years after high school completion or graduation during
which the student has not been enrolled in an eligible postsecondary educational
institution or a program offered by the institution.
• Any period of two consecutive fiscal years (July 1 – June 30) with no spending activity.
Transferring Among Scholarship Funding Organizations
Step Up For Students is one of Florida’s approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs).
A student may only have a scholarship funded through one SFO at a time. Scholarship
applications and awards are not transferable between SFOs.
A student awarded a scholarship by one SFO who has not yet received funding and wants to
move to a different SFO must decline their scholarship with their current SFO and submit a new
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
17
scholarship application with a different SFO. Step Up For Students’ scholarship decline form is
available here.
A parent or guardian of a student awarded scholarships by multiple SFOs must select the
organization they would like to administer their scholarship and decline scholarships from the
others.
Step Up cannot receive incoming transfer requests. If a student has received funding from one
SFO, and the parent or guardian would like to transfer administration of their student's
scholarship to a different SFO, they must initiate a transfer as follows:
Students transferring into Step Up: A parent or guardian of a student with a scholarship
funded by another SFO who wishes to transfer to Step Up For Students should contact their
current SFO to initiate a transfer process.
Students transferring out of Step Up: A parent or guardian of a student with a scholarship
currently funded by Step Up For Students should contact Step Up to request a transfer to
another SFO. Step Up will work with the other SFO to begin the transfer process.
Transferring funds may take several months to complete.
Authorized Uses of Scholarship Program Funds
Scholarship program funds must be used for eligible expenses that meet the individual
educational needs of the scholarship student.
Products or services paid for by another agency or source (for example, health insurance,
Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSAs), or a School Readiness program) may not be submitted
for reimbursement.
The following categories of items and services are approved uses for the scholarship funds.
Eligible expenses are detailed in the program Purchasing Guide
.
• Instructional materials
• Curriculum and curriculum materials
• Specialized services
• Tuition and fees:
o At an eligible private school
o For home education programs
o At an eligible post-secondary institution
o At an approved pre-apprenticeship program
o For dual enrollment
o For a private tutoring program
o For part-time tutoring services or Choice Navigator services
o At an approved online or virtual provider
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
18
o As a private pay student for Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
• Standardized testing fees
• Contributions to approved college savings programs
o Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program
o Florida 529 Savings Program
• Contracted services provided by a public school or school district
• Fees for specialized summer education programs
• Fees for specialized after-school education programs
• Transition services provided by job coaches
• Annual home education evaluation fees
• Tuition and fees for an approved VPK Program provider, an approved School Readiness
provider, or an eligible private school
• Fees for horse therapy
• Fees for music and art therapy
Reimbursement requests submitted for an item or service not listed as an eligible expense may
result in delayed processing or denial of the reimbursement if the request does not include an
approved pre-authorization. More information is available below under Pre-Authorization
.
General Purchasing Rules
Making Successful Purchases
Before making purchases out-of-pocket, submitting reimbursement requests, or ordering
through MyScholarShop, parents and guardians should check to ensure:
1. The purchase is an eligible use of scholarship funds. (Note: If a purchase was previously
approved due to error, under another program, or under a previous year’s rules, that
does not mean it will be approved in the future).
2. The student has sufficient funds in their account to cover the purchase.
The parent or guardian may view their account balance on the online statement provided in
EMA or the Legacy System. A family cannot receive reimbursements for amounts that exceed
the available balance in the student’s account.
Step Up For Students approves purchases and reimbursement requests in accordance with
Florida statutes related to the scholarship program, rules set by the Florida Department of
Education, and internal policies and procedures.
Pre-Authorization
Some items listed in the Purchasing Guide require pre-authorization. In addition, pre-
authorizations may be required for other purchases, including items or services not listed as
eligible in the Purchasing Guide
.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
19
Pre-authorization requests for these items must be approved before a purchase is made.
Step Up For Students will not accept pre-authorization requests for items that are prohibited.
The pre-authorization request will be reviewed in the order it was received, and the parent or
guardian will be notified of the determination by email.
The pre-authorization only applies to the listed item or service. It is not confirmation of the
provider’s eligibility or funding availability for the reimbursement.
Requests for pre-authorization should be specific to the student and contain as much detail as
possible about the specific item or service requested, including the approximate cost. The
documentation request should demonstrate how the item or service is an eligible expense that
helps their student learn.
The items or services purchased must match those on the pre-authorization request. If they do
not, Step Up For Students reserves the right to deny the purchase or reimbursement request.
Step Up For Students evaluates pre-authorization requests on a case-by-case basis that
accounts for the circumstances of the individual student. A different student seeking approval
for a similar item, or the same student seeking approval for a similar item under different
circumstances, may not always receive the same determination.
An approved pre-authorization is only valid for purchases in the school year in which it was
approved. Pre-authorizations for the 2024-25 school year may be submitted until April 30,
2025. This will ensure pre-authorizations have time to be approved and parents have time to
make the purchase and submit a reimbursement request prior to the end of the school year on
June 30, 2025.
Educational Benefit Form
Some purchases will require documentation of their educational benefit. This must be done
through the Educational Benefit Form, which is available here
.
Educational benefit is defined as supporting and advancing student learning. Some items or
services may require additional information to demonstrate the benefit of the item or service to
the educational needs of the student.
Fields in EMA and the Legacy System may ask for parents to provide information on the
educational benefit of a purchase, but filling out these fields does not replace the need to fill out
the Educational Benefit Form
.
In addition to educational benefit, Step Up For Students considers the manufacturer’s
recommended minimum age to approve purchases or reimbursement requests.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
20
Receiving Payments, Refunds or Rebates
Parents or guardians may not receive a payment, refund, or rebate of scholarship funds from a
provider.
If a school, service provider or vendor issues payment, refund, or rebate to a parent or guardian,
the funds must be returned to the student's scholarship account.
Parents and guardians may not keep the proceeds from selling an item purchased using
scholarship funds. Proceeds of the sale must be returned to the student’s scholarship account.
A check, made payable to Step Up For Students, indicating the scholarship student’s name and
student ID, should be sent to Step Up For Students at the following address:
Step Up For Students
Attention: Accounts Receivable
P.O. Box 54429
Jacksonville, FL 32245-4367
If the funds are not returned to the student's scholarship account, the student could lose
scholarship funding and eligibility for violating program rules.
Frequency of Purchase Limitations
Program rules limit the frequency with which families can purchase certain items using
scholarship funds.
These rules apply by calendar year. For example, a laptop may have a two-year purchasing
frequency, meaning a student who purchased a laptop on November 10, 2024, will be eligible
to purchase another laptop using scholarship funds on or after November 11, 2026.
Frequency of purchase rules apply to all scholarship programs, even if a student changes
programs. For example, if a parent/guardian purchased a tablet with New Worlds Scholarship
Accounts funds on November 10, 2024, so the student will not be eligible to purchase a tablet
using any other scholarship until November 11, 2026.
More details are available in the program Purchasing Guide
.
Items that are Lost, Stolen or Broken Beyond Repair
If an item purchased with scholarship funds is broken beyond repair, it may be replaced with a
similar item of equal or lesser value.
A parent or guardian must submit a pre-authorization request and documentation from a repair
shop or service technician showing the item is beyond repair. Photos of the damaged item do
not qualify as sufficient documentation.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
21
If the item can be repaired, scholarship funds may be used to cover the cost of repair, but they
cannot be used to cover the cost of a replacement.
If an item was stolen, a parent or guardian must submit a pre-authorization request and police
report for review.
Replacement of lost items will not be approved.
If a replacement item is authorized, the two calendar-year period will reset. For example, a
student who purchased a laptop on July 10, 2024, but then is authorized to purchase and
purchases a replacement device on October 10, 2025, will not be eligible to purchase another
laptop using scholarship funds until on or after October 11, 2027.
Direct Payment for Services
Step Up For Students allows parents and guardians to pay directly for some eligible educational
services. Providers wishing to participate in direct payment for educational services from
scholarship students must set up a provider account in EMA and submit a service catalog.
Students who received and utilized scholarship funding during the 2022-23 school year will
begin the 2024-25 school year in the Legacy System for direct provider billing, with the
exception of eligible private school enrollment, which is described below.
Students funded for the first time during the 2023-24 school year or later will utilize direct
provider billing in EMA through the Provider Marketplace.
Requests for payment directly to a provider may only be approved after the service has been
rendered.
Direct Billing for Eligible Private School Enrollment
Full-Time Eligible Private School Students
For the 2024-25 school year, a parent or guardian may enroll their student in an eligible, FES-
UA participating private school in EMA. Enrollment through EMA is for scholarship students
who will be educated full-time, in-person at the school's physical location. A list of schools
eligible to serve scholarship students can be found in the Florida Private Schools Directory
.
This enrollment in EMA is optional for FES-UA students and will allow the school to invoice
scholarship funds directly from students’ accounts quarterly. Payments will be made to schools
within seven (7) business days after the parent approves the invoice in EMA from the private
school.
Schools participating in the scholarship program cannot charge a different rate for scholarship
students and non-scholarship students. The same published tuition schedule must apply to all
students, whether on scholarship or paying privately.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
22
Step Up For Students commits the total amount of tuition and fees, up to the amount of funding
a student was awarded that school year, to the selected school. Step Up bills the student’s
account quarterly before a parent or guardian can access any remaining scholarship funds.
When a student enrolls in an eligible private school, the school and parent or guardian must
both certify the agreed-upon tuition and fee rate for the student. The agreed-upon tuition and
fee rate for the student may include discounts or other considerations. The rate can be less, but
not more than, the school’s published tuition and fee rate for the student’s grade level.
The agreed-upon tuition and fee rate for a student in EMA should not exceed any amount the
parent or guardian has agreed to pay the eligible private school.
For example: If a school and a parent agree to a tuition and fee rate of $10,000, the amount
charged in EMA should be $10,000 or less.
Many eligible, participating private schools charge more than the value of the scholarship. In
some cases, they may decide to provide scholarship students with supplemental financial
assistance at their own discretion. The parent or guardian should work with the school but may
be required to pay the difference between the value of the scholarship and the full tuition and
fees.
Note: If a school charges more than a student’s scholarship amount for tuition and fees, families
may choose to pay for the difference using rollover funds in their account. In order for
scholarship funds to be paid to the school directly, the school must set up a service offering in
EMA with a tuition and fees service offering. A video with details on how schools can navigate
the EMA Service Marketplace is available here
.
Part-Time Eligible Private School Students
Students may also enroll part-time in eligible private schools they attend in-person. Eligible
private schools may choose to accept direct payment through EMA by creating service
offerings in the Marketplace.
The eligible private school must accept FES-UA and provide part-time enrollment to FES-UA
scholarship students. FES-UA students cannot enroll in a PEP hybrid school, but may enroll
part-time if the school is also an FES-UA eligible private school. A list of schools eligible to
serve scholarship students can be found in the Florida Private Schools Directory
.
FES-UA scholarship students may pay for part-time private school classes directly through the
Marketplace for participating schools. Part-time students may not utilize the school enrollment
function in EMA, which is for full-time, in-person learners only.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
23
Enrolling Pre-K Students in an Eligible Private School
Beginning the 2024-25 school year, eligible students with an FES-UA scholarship can use EMA
to enroll in pre-K programs offered by an eligible FES-UA participating private school by
following these steps:
1. The school must have or create an account in EMA.
2. The parent or guardian must provide their student’s scholarship Award ID to the school.
3. Once a school enrolls the student, the parent or guardian will receive an email
prompting them to log in to EMA to review and approve the enrollment.
A student can only enroll in an eligible private school with an active account in EMA.
Pre-K students have the flexibility to enroll full-time or part-time through EMA for in-person
learning. Payments will be made to schools within seven (7) business days after the parent
approves the invoice in EMA from the private school.
Transferring Schools and the 10-Day Rule
Enrollment in an eligible, private school in EMA is not required for FES-UA scholarship students.
Students utilizing the private school option may transfer their scholarship among eligible
participating private schools. If a parent or guardian is not satisfied with the private school they
have chosen, they may find another one.
Before a parent or guardian withdraws their student from the private school, they should notify
the school and understand the school’s transfer policy.
A student may not be enrolled in a new eligible private school in EMA until the student has
been withdrawn from the prior school in EMA.
The transfer process may include a final payment to the private school the student is leaving. If
a payment is owed to that school, it must be approved by the parent or guardian. If the school
has been overpaid, Step Up will invoice the school for the overpayment.
Once a student is enrolled and attending their eligible, participating school for 10 or more days
during a quarterly payment period, the school will receive the full quarter’s distribution.
If a student transfers to a different participating school in the same quarter, the first school the
student attended for 10 days or more during that quarter will receive the full quarter’s payment.
The parent or guardian and the two schools may negotiate any amount owed to the new school
from the quarterly payment made to the first school. This is not required, but, in the spirit of
partnership for the good of the student, is highly recommended.
Parents or guardians should allow five business days for the current school to withdraw the
student. If the student has not been withdrawn after five business days, they should
contact
the Customer Engagement Center at Step Up For Students.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
24
Direct Payment for College Savings Plans
Florida 529 College Savings Plans
A request for direct payment must include a Florida 529 College Savings Plan account
statement with the following:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Scholarship student’s Florida 529 College Savings Plan account number
• Account type (this must be an UTMA or UGMA account)
In the Legacy System:
• Florida 529 College Savings Plan requests must be submitted under the “Pay To” option
“Provider” using provider name “FL 529 Savings Plan.” Florida 529 College Savings
Plan reimbursement requests submitted for payment to the parent or guardian will be
denied.
In EMA:
• The parent or guardian should use the “Find a Provider” feature, select the student for
whom they wish to make a contribution, and then select “Florida 529 College Savings
Plan” from the dropdown menu.
Direct contribution requests must be submitted by the 14
th
day of each month and will be sent
to Florida Prepaid for verification monthly before each payment is made. The student’s name
listed on the scholarship account must match the name of the beneficiary of the Florida 529
College Savings account.
Any requests received after the 14
th
day of each month will not be sent to Florida Prepaid for
verification until the following month.
FES-UA scholarship funds deposited into a Florida 529 College Plan may only be used to pay
for postsecondary expenditures and may not be used for K – 12 expenditures, including at any
private school.
MyScholarShop
Step Up For Students has developed MyScholarShop, an e-purchasing platform where parents
or guardians can purchase pre-approved items without any upfront cost.
MyScholarShop will become accessible within a few weeks after funds are deposited into a
student’s account. Parents or guardians can log in to EMA or the Legacy System to access
MyScholarShop.
If an item is not in MyScholarShop or the program Purchasing Guide
, it may still be an eligible
expense. If an item is in MyScholarShop, it may not be an eligible item for all scholarship
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
25
programs for direct purchasing or reimbursement. Additionally, if a parent purchases an item
out of pocket that is identical to one within MyScholarShop for a lesser amount, the parent
must be reimbursed for that item if it is eligible for their scholarship program.
Parents or guardians should submit a pre-authorization form if they are unsure an item is
eligible.
MyScholarShop Guidelines
• The parent or guardian should ensure they have enough available funds in the
scholarship account to cover the entire purchase.
• These policies, including pre-approval of items available for purchase through
MyScholarShop, do not apply to in-store purchases or purchases from vendor websites.
• If an item requires pre-authorization, the pre-authorization request must be approved
before a parent or guardian places the order. The approved pre-authorization number
must be included in the appropriate field to avoid a delay or denial of order.
• If an item has an associated purchasing rule, such as size or frequency limitation, those
same rules apply in MyScholarShop.
• The parent or guardian should include all purchases in a single order.
• MyScholarShop orders will ship to the physical address listed in the guardian profile in
EMA or the Legacy System.
• Step Up For Students reserves the right to deny requests.
MyScholarShop Returns
Returns are completed through the vendor they were purchased from and not through Step Up
For Students. Items may not be returned to a store.
Individual vendors list their return policies and instructions in MyScholarShop.
Once the vendor has received the item, it may take up to a few weeks for the funds to be
credited to the student’s scholarship account.
Status Definitions
Below is a glossary of the statuses that describe the progress of an order in MyScholarShop.
• Composing: Request is pending; the cart has not been submitted for purchase.
• Submitted: Request was submitted and is pending review.
• Approved: Items requiring review have been approved and sent to the vendor(s) for
fulfilment.
• Denied: Items requiring review have been denied. One appeal is allowed.
• Ordering: A fully approved order is in the process of being generated.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
26
• Ordered: All items associated with an order or requisition have been sent to the vendor
to fulfill.
• Cancelling: Order was canceled after it was placed.
• Cancelled: Order was cancelled after it was submitted and approved.
• Receiving: Ordered items have been shipped and are in the process of being delivered.
• Received: Ordered items have been fully received.
Submitting Reimbursement Requests
Parents or guardians who choose to pay for eligible tuition, fees, items or services out of pocket
may apply to have those expenditures reimbursed from their student’s scholarship account.
Step Up For Students approves reimbursement of items within the guidance of Florida statutes
related to the scholarship program, as well as Florida Department of Education rules and Step
Up For Students policies and procedures and reserves the right to close or deny any
reimbursement request submitted for payment.
Students who received and utilized scholarship funding during the 2022-23 school year will
begin the 2024-25 school year in the Legacy System for all reimbursement requests, with the
exception of eligible private school enrollment.
Students funded for the first time during the 2023-24 school year or later will submit all
reimbursement requests in EMA through the Provider Marketplace.
Step-by-step instructions for submitting a reimbursement request in EMA are available here
.
Reimbursement Timing
Reimbursement requests are year-specific. Requests for reimbursements using scholarship
funds from the 2024-25 school year may be submitted at any time after the purchase is made,
as long as the items or services were purchased between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
In addition, reimbursements for purchases made in the following categories between July 1,
2023 and June 30, 2024 are eligible for reimbursement with scholarship funds.
• Eligible Private School Tuition and Fees
• Home Education Tuition and Fees
• Public School Contracted Services
• Full-Time Private Tutoring
• State-Approved Virtual Instruction Provider
• State-Approved Online Course
• Curriculum
In these instances, reimbursements should be submitted during the school year in which the
service is rendered (or curricula is used), but the proof of purchase may be from the
immediately preceding fiscal year.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
27
For example, if a student receives instruction from a home education program during the 2024-
25 school year, a parent or guardian should apply for reimbursement between July 1, 2024 and
June 30, 2025, but the proof of purchase may be dated July 1, 2023 or later.
This policy is intended to help parents or guardians cover expenses they paid for in advance in
preparation for the 2024-25 school year.
Students funded at any point during the 2024-25 school year can submit reimbursements for
purchases dated between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Please allow up to 60 days for a reimbursement request with the required supporting
documentation to be fully reviewed.
Reimbursement Status Definitions
As a reimbursement is processed in EMA, it will progress through three statuses:
• Submitted: Step Up For Students has received the reimbursement request for the
identified purchase.
• In Review: Step Up For Students is reviewing the reimbursement request.
• Completed: Step up For Students has reviewed the reimbursement request, and a
decision on the reimbursement request is pending.
Once the reimbursement is completed, it will be flagged as:
• Approved: The reimbursement request will be fulfilled for the identified purchase, and
payment is on the way.
• Denied: The reimbursement request will not be fulfilled for the identified purchase. Step
Up For Students will provide the denial reason via email to the email address in EMA.
Common denial reasons include incorrect or insufficient documentation for the
purchase, or the purchase was submitted using the wrong category. More information
about appealing a denied reimbursement is available in Appeals.
• On Hold: The reimbursement request needs further action, information, or
documentation from the parent or guardian. Step Up For Students will provide
information via email to the email address in EMA.
If additional documents are requested for an On Hold reimbursement and none are submitted
within 30 days, it will automatically be denied, and the parent or guardian will need to submit a
new reimbursement request.
Advance Reimbursement
Parents or guardians can apply for reimbursement for services up to three months in advance.
For example, if a tutor asks for payment in advance, a parent can apply on September 1 for
reimbursement of tutoring fees paid through the end of November.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
28
Requests submitted for services more than three months in advance may be approved through
the remainder of the school year, up to one year, if the provider attests that the services paid in
advance are non-refundable.
Parents or guardians can submit a signed and dated letter from the provider stating the
payment is non-refundable or submit published policies from the provider showing these
requirements.
Required Supporting Documentation
For a reimbursement request to be approved, the parent or guardian will need to show:
1. Proof of payment.
2. The purchase is a qualified use of scholarship funds.
Step Up For Students may request additional documentation or clarification when the
reimbursement request is reviewed. The parent or guardian will be notified via email to the
email address in EMA or the Legacy System.
Proof of Payment
The following documents can serve as proof that the parent or guardian paid for the purchase:
• Credit card receipt with the full transaction date (mm/dd/yy), provider name, and
amount.
• Credit card/bank statement with the full transaction date (mm/dd/yy), provider name,
and amount.
• PayPal receipt with the full purchase date (mm/dd/yy), provider name, amount, and
funding source.
• Copy of the front and back of the cleared check with the full payment date (mm/dd/yy),
provider name, and amount. When submitting a copy of a cleared check, black out the
routing and account numbers.
An invoice that does not show it has been paid in full and does not show the means of payment
(such as the number of the credit or debit card used), will not count as proof of payment.
If the provider’s name on the proof of payment does not match the provider listed on the
invoice or receipt, supporting documentation from the provider will be required to explain the
difference (this can be in the form of a letter).
Proof of Payment for Private School Tuition Using Tuition Management Systems
A private school’s tuition management system (e.g. FACTS, Blackbaud, TADS) may include the
information needed to provide proof of payment.
The billing statement should include:
• School’s name and address
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
29
• Scholarship student’s first and last name as listed in EMA
• Description of each payment to be reimbursed (including but not limited to: tuition,
registration fee, book fees, etc.)
• Date of full payment (mm/dd/yy)
Amount of each transaction. A tuition management system account may show activity related
to multiple students and transactions. Each reimbursement request should include the specific
scholarship student, and the specific transactions, for which the parent or guardian is seeking
reimbursement.
If a private school’s tuition management system groups students by family and does not show
spending for individual students, a parent or guardian can submit an invoice from the school
with appropriate documentation as stated in Tuition and Fees at an Eligible Private School
.
Cash, Checks and Private Sellers
Cash payments to a provider require a signed, dated letter from the provider on their letterhead
that includes:
• Provider’s name
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Description of service (tuition, registration, etc.)
• Date of full payment (mm/dd/yy)
• Amount of purchase
• Method of payment (cash/check).
Requests for reimbursement of cash purchases from private sellers that are not affiliated with a
company or institution (garage sale, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, private tutors, private
therapists) will be denied.
When making purchases from private sellers, payment in the form of a personal or cashier’s
check, money order, PayPal, Venmo or other electronic payment method is required. This form
of payment provides verification of the purchase, which is required for reimbursement.
When submitting a cashier’s check, a copy of the cashier’s check or a bank receipt confirming
the purchase is required.
Payment with Credit Card Points, Gift Cards and Cash Equivalents
Purchases made using reward or loyalty points, credits or gift cards may only be eligible for
reimbursement if the proof of payment clearly shows the cash value of the payment method.
For example: A parent or guardian makes an eligible purchase for $40.48. They pay $30 with
their credit card and $10.48 using reward points.
They can be reimbursed for the full purchase price of $40.48 if the receipt from their purchase
clearly shows a full price of $40.48, and the full purchase was for eligible expenses.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
30
If the receipt does not show the full purchase price, they can only be reimbursed for $30 – the
portion paid with a credit card.
Reimbursement for Installment Payments
If an approved purchase is made using layaway, an installment plan, or a buy now, pay later
service such as Klarna or Affirm, Step Up For Students cannot reimburse the full purchase
amount until all payments have been made.
However, each installment payment on the approved purchase is eligible for reimbursement
once the payment has been made.
Note: Parents or guardians utilizing a payment plan for Florida Theme Park admission must
wait until the ticket or pass has been paid in full (or up to $299) before submitting their
reimbursement request.
Documenting Eligible Uses of Scholarship Funds
Each purchase category has specific requirements for documentation demonstrating that it
qualifies as an eligible use of scholarship funds.
Details on eligible uses of scholarship funds are available in the program Purchasing Guide
.
Instructional Materials and Curriculum or Curriculum Materials
The invoice or receipt must include:
• Item(s) purchased
• Full date of purchase, including year
• Place of purchase
• Amount of the purchase, including item price, subtotal, taxes, fees, discounts, and grand
total
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
If there are several items listed on the receipt, underline or highlight the item(s) the
reimbursement request is for. If possible, purchase the item(s) in a different transaction.
Physical Education (P.E.)
The invoice or receipt must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name*
• Instructor’s first and last name or provider’s company/league name
• Type of service rendered
• Dates and hours of instruction, including year
• Service rate
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section).
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
31
*The scholarship student’s first and last name are required for classes, instructional services or
lessons. They are not required for purchased goods, rentals, or general admission tickets.
Electives and Enrichment
Reimbursement requests for elective classes, enrichment or lessons must include
documentation demonstrating the provider meets the requirements for part-time tutoring or
Choice Navigator services, or has one of the following:
• A valid or expired Florida educator’s certificate
• Minimum of three years of experience in the relevant subject area as demonstrated by
employment records
• Currently enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution as a student of the relevant
subject area
• Degree from a postsecondary educational institution in the relevant subject area
• Certification or national accreditation in the relevant subject area
Additionally, the invoice or receipt must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Instructor’s first and last name
• Provider’s company name, if applicable
• Type of service rendered
• Dates and hours of instruction, including year
• Service rate
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section).
Specialized Services
The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date the service was rendered, including year
• Type of service rendered
• Amount due for the service
• First and last name of the therapist who rendered the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
If the invoice includes medical billing codes rather than the type of service rendered, it may
result in processing delays.
Approved Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The invoice or receipt on craftsperson/company letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of the FLDOE-approved pre-apprenticeship course
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
32
• Craftsperson name, company name (if applicable) and license number or listed on
FLDOE website
• Dates and hours of instruction, including year
• Program rate
• Total amount due for the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
Full-Time Private Tutoring Program
Full-time private tutoring is an option for students to satisfy state attendance requirements
outlined in s. 1002.43
, F.S. Parents must select a credentialed provider and participate in a
minimum number of instructional hours by grade level.
The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Tutor’s first and last name
• Tutor’s DOE certification number
• Tutor’s company name, if applicable
• Dates and hours of instruction, including year
• Tutor’s hourly rate
• Total amount due for the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
The invoice or receipt must also show that the reimbursement is for full-time tutoring, and the
parent must ensure they are seeking reimbursement under the full-time tutoring category.
To ensure correct processing, each reimbursement request should include documentation of
the service provider’s license number and/or credentials.
For their services to be eligible for reimbursement, full-time tutors who have not previously
received payment via scholarship funds will be required to submit a Step Up For Students
Full-
Time Tutor Participation Agreement and W-9. Parents or guardians should consult with their
provider.
Part-Time Tutoring Services or Choice Navigator Services
The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Tutor’s or navigator’s first and last name
• Tutor’s company name, if applicable
• Type of service rendered
• Date(s) of service(s) rendered, including year
• Tutor’s hours of service and hourly rate (not required for Choice Navigator services)
• Total amount due for the service
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
33
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
To ensure correct processing, each reimbursement request should include documentation of
the service provider’s license number and/or credentials.
Documentation of Credentials
To qualify as a part-time tutor or a Choice Navigator, a provider needs to document their
credentials.
If the provider of these services has not already been approved in EMA, reimbursement
requests for these services should include documentation of their credentials. Options for
acceptable documentation are detailed in the program Purchasing Guide
.
Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Program
The reimbursement request must include a Florida Prepaid College Program account statement
with the following:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Scholarship student’s Florida Prepaid College Program Plan account number
• Account type (e.g. one year Florida University Plan)
• A copy of the Florida Prepaid account statement showing proof of payment including:
o Full payment date
o Payment amount
In the Legacy System:
Parents or guardians may submit requests for reimbursement on Florida Prepaid College
Program Plans selecting “Pay To” option “Myself” using provider name “Florida Prepaid College
Board.” Reimbursement requests submitted for payment directly to Florida Prepaid College
Board will be denied.
In EMA:
Reimbursement requests must be submitted by the 14
th
day of each month and will be sent to
Florida Prepaid for verification monthly before each reimbursement or payment is made. The
student’s name listed on the scholarship account must match the name of the beneficiary of the
Florida Prepaid account.
Any requests received after the 14
th
day of each month will not be sent to Florida Prepaid for
verification until the next month.
Florida 529 College Savings Program
Florida 529 College Savings Program contributions must occur via direct payment. Florida 529
College Savings Program reimbursement requests submitted for payment to the parent or
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
34
guardian will be denied. More information on direct contributions to 529 college savings
programs is available in Florida 529 College Savings Plans
.
Contracted Services Provided by a Public School or District
The reimbursement request must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name and address of the school
• Services provided
• Date the services were provided, including year
• A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
Tuition and Fees at an Eligible Private School
Requests for reimbursement of tuition and fees at an eligible, participating private school
submitted by the parent or guardian must include a complete invoice and proof of payment
containing the following information:
• Tuition and fees
o School’s published tuition and fee rates
o Annual tuition rate for the scholarship student
• Invoice that includes:
o Name and address of the eligible, participating private school
o Scholarship student's first name and last name (The student’s name on the invoice
must match Step Up For Student's records. Nicknames, middle names as first
names, etc. are not accepted.)
o Date of invoice
o School year the payment is for Method of Payment (see Proof of Payment section)
o Itemized charges for each tuition or fee payment
The program Purchasing Guide lists prohibited fees. School lunch and before- and after-school
care are not covered.
If the private school uses a tuition management system (e.g. FACTS, Blackbaud, TADS), only
the annual fee for use of the billing service will be eligible for reimbursement. Any fees charged
for use of a credit card will not be reimbursed.
If a student withdraws or transfers, refunds (if any) will be based on the school’s policy and
must be paid back to Step Up For Students for credit to the student’s scholarship account. The
parent or guardian may not accept refunds of scholarship dollars from the school.
Tuition and/or fees paid to an ineligible private school that does not participate in the
scholarship program are not eligible for reimbursement.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
35
Tuition and Fees as a Private-Pay Student for Florida Virtual School (FLVS)
The reimbursement request must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of course paid for (or billed)
• Dates/terms for the courses
• A statement showing the amount paid (or billed)
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
If the student withdraws from the course within 14 days, a refund will be issued to the
entity/individual from which payment was received.
Tuition and Fees at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution, a Home Education Program, an
Approved Online or Virtual Provider
Reimbursement requests must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name of the institution or course provider
• Course description
• Dates of course/service, including year
• Amount of tuition and fees
• Proof of payment, on institution letterhead, if applicable (see Proof of Payment section)
Tuition and Fees for an Approved VPK Program Provider or an Approved School Readiness
Provider
Reimbursement requests must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Name and address of the approved provider
• Invoice date, including school year
• Description of the services provided
• Amount of tuition and fees
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
Tuition and fees must be for the educational needs of the student and may cover a full-day
program, and must be accurately described in the invoice. Fees for nursery or daycare will not
be covered.
School lunch and other fees that are not mandatory or are not educational are not covered by
the scholarship.
If a student withdraws or transfers schools, refunds (if any) will be based on the provider’s
policy and must be paid back to Step Up For Students for credit to the student’s scholarship
account. The parent/guardian may not accept refunds of scholarship dollars from providers.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
36
Fees Associated with Specialized After-School Education Programs or Specialized Summer
Education Programs
Reimbursements must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date of the program, including year
• Description of the services provided
• Amount of fees
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
Fees for Annual Home Education Evaluation or Standardized Testing
Reimbursement requests must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date of the evaluation/test, including year
• Description of the services provided
• Amount of fees for the evaluation/test
• Documentation of the teacher’s Florida Department of Education certification number;
and
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
Transition Services Provided by Job Coaches
Transition services provided by job coaches at eligible private schools may be included in the
school’s fees (see Tuition and Fees
for required documents)
Reimbursement requests for transition services provided by a job coach outside an eligible
private school must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date of the service, including year
• Description of the services provided
• Total amount due for the service
• Proof of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
• Documentation the job coach meets one of the criteria listed in the Approved Usage for
FES-UA Funding section.
Fees for Horse Therapy
Includes equestrian therapy services provided at a center that is a member of the Professional
Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH).
The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
37
• Date the service was rendered, including year
• Type of service rendered
• Amount due for the service
• First and last name of the therapist who rendered the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
If the invoice includes medical billing codes rather than the type of service rendered, it may
result in processing delays.
Fees For Music and Art Therapy
Includes services provided by a therapist who is certified by the Certification Board for Music
Therapists or Credentialed by the Art Therapy Credentials Board, Inc.
The invoice or receipt on business letterhead must include:
• Scholarship student’s first and last name
• Date the service was rendered, including year
• Type of service rendered
• Amount due for the service
• First and last name of the therapist who rendered the service
• Method of payment (see Proof of Payment section)
If the invoice includes medical billing codes rather than the type of service rendered, it may
result in processing delays.
Reimbursement Mechanism
Once approved, reimbursements can be paid to a parent or guardian from the student’s
scholarship account via direct deposit (ACH). Parents or guardians with an EMA account may
also receive reimbursement by check or PayPal.
If direct deposit (ACH) is selected, the parent or guardian will be asked to submit personal
banking information. If an ACH payment is rejected by the banking institution, the funds will
revert to the student’s scholarship account after 30 days.
Reimbursements for multiple scholarship students on multiple scholarship programs will be
paid separately.
More information about reimbursement payments is available here
.
Appeals
If a reimbursement request is denied, the parent or guardian may appeal the decision once by
submitting a new reimbursement request, noting in the description box it is an appeal or
reconsideration request, and providing additional documentation.
After the appeal decision is made, additional appeals for the same item will not be reviewed.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
38
Appeals will only be reviewed through the established process. Step Up For Students is unable
to review appeals or resubmission requests that are sent via email or through any other
customer service channel.
Reimbursement requests placed on hold for longer than 30 days after a request for additional
documentation will be denied and require resubmission.
Actions That May Lead to a Loss of the Scholarship
Actions that may lead to a loss of the scholarship include, but are not limited to:
• Misrepresenting or withholding information on the scholarship application or
reimbursement documentation.
• Failure to enroll a K – 12 student in a private school or as a Home Education Student
with their Florida public school district.
• Failure to satisfy state compulsory attendance requirements as provided in s.
1003.01(16)(b), (c), or (d), F.S.
• Failure to satisfy attendance requirements outlined by their eligible private school, if
applicable.
• Failure of the student to take a required nationally norm-referenced test or the
statewide assessment, if applicable (students exempt from norm-referenced testing are
not subject to this requirement).
• Moving or residing outside of the state of Florida.
• Enrolling in a public school, including the Florida Virtual School, the Florida School For
The Deaf and Blind, the College-Preparatory Boarding Academy, the Florida School for
Competitive Academics, the Florida Scholars Academy, a developmental research
school, a charter school, or any other Florida public school, on a full-time basis.
• Utilizing another state scholarship.
• Fraudulent activity, including taking possession of any scholarship funds by refund,
resale, rebate, or credit from a provider or purchase.
• Allowing another party, including a provider or school representative, to access or
manage a student’s scholarship account.
• Step Up For Students determines the student is not eligible for program renewal.
• The Commissioner of Education suspends or revokes program participation or use of
funds.
• The student graduates high school or reaches 22 years of age, whichever occurs first.
The above actions, or any violation of scholarship statutes, rules, policies, or procedures may
result in the loss of the scholarship, loss of future scholarship eligibility, and/or financial or
criminal penalties.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
39
For More Information
• Document Library
• Resources Page
• FES-UA Scholarship Information
• FES-UA Handbook Feedback Form
• Program Facts
• Find a School Tool
• Scholarship Decline Form
• Educational Benefit Form
Contact Information
Step Up For Students wishes all scholarship students a productive and fun-filled 2024-25
school year.
There are three ways to reach Step Up For Students:
Chat with a live agent at StepUpForStudents.org
Call (877) 735-7837
Submit inquiry through Contact Us
The Customer Engagement Center is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. During
peak periods, hours may be extended. For Customer Engagement Center hours, visit the
Contact Us
page on the Step Up For Students website.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
40
Appendix A
Disability definitions
Anaphylaxis
The medical term for the life-threatening allergic reactions that may occur when allergic
individuals are exposed to specific allergens. Anaphylaxis is a collection of symptoms affecting
multiple systems in the body.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
As defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, published
by the American Psychiatric Association.
Cerebral Palsy
A group of disabling symptoms of extended duration which results from damage to the
developing brain that may occur before, during, or after birth and results in the loss or
impairment of control over voluntary muscles. For the purposes of this definition, cerebral palsy
does not include those symptoms or impairments resulting solely from a stroke.
Down Syndrome
A disorder caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21.
Dual Sensory Impaired
A student who has dual-sensory impairments affecting both vision and hearing, the
combination of which causes a serious impairment in the abilities to acquire information,
communicate, or function within the environment, or who has a degenerative condition which
will lead to such an impairment. Current IEP required.
Emotional or Behavioral Disability
A student with an emotional/behavioral disability who has persistent (is not sufficiently
responsive to implemented evidence-based interventions) and consistent emotional or
behavioral responses that adversely affect performance in the educational environment that
cannot be attributed to age, culture, gender, or ethnicity.
Hearing Impairment
A student who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and has hearing loss aided or unaided, that impacts
the processing of linguistic information, and which adversely affects performance in the
educational environment. The degree of loss may range from mild to profound.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
41
High-Risk Child
A 3-5-year-old*, being a high-risk child with a developmental delay in cognition, language, or
physical development. (*On or before September 1 of the school year.)
Hospital or Homebound
A student who has a medically diagnosed physical or psychiatric condition which is acute or
catastrophic in nature, or a chronic illness, or a repeated intermittent illness due to a persisting
medical problem that confines the student to home or hospital and restricts activities for more
than six months, as defined by rules set by the Florida Board of Education. A current IEP is
required to confirm this diagnosis.
Intellectual Disability
Significantly sub average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in
adaptive behavior which manifests before the age of 18 and can reasonably be expected to
continue indefinitely.
“Adaptive behavior” means the effectiveness or degree with which an individual meets the
standards of personal independence and social responsibility expected of his or her age,
cultural group, and community.
“Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning” means performance that is two or
more standard deviations from the mean score on a standardized intelligence test specified in
the rules of the agency.
Language Impairment
Language impairments are disorders of language that interfere with communication, adversely
affect performance and/or functioning in the student’s typical learning environment, and result
in the need for exceptional student education. A language impairment is defined as a disorder
in one or more of the basic learning processes involved in understanding or in using spoken or
written language. These include: phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics.
The language impairment may manifest in significant difficulties affecting listening
comprehension, oral expression, social interaction, reading, writing, or spelling. A language
impairment is not primarily the result of factors related to chronological age, gender, culture,
ethnicity, or limited English proficiency.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophies are a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a person’s genes.
Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday tasks difficult. There are
many kinds of muscular dystrophy, each affecting specific muscle groups, with signs and
symptoms appearing at different ages, and varying in severity.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
42
Orthopedic Impairment
Orthopedic impairment means a severe skeletal, muscular, or neuromuscular impairment. The
term includes impairments resulting from congenital anomalies (e.g., including but not limited to
skeletal deformity or spina bifida), and impairments resulting from other causes (e.g., including
but not limited to cerebral palsy or amputations).
Other Health Impairment
Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a
heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to
the educational environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems. This includes, but
is not limited to, asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,
Tourette syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia,
nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and acquired brain injury.
Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
A disorder caused by the loss of the terminal segment of the long arm of chromosome 22,
which occurs near the end of the chromosome at a location designated q13.3, typically leading
to developmental delay, intellectual disability, dolichocephaly, hypotonic, or absent or delayed
speech.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
An inherited condition typified by; neonatal hypotonia with failure to thrive, hyperphagia or an
excessive drive to eat which leads to obesity usually at 18 to 36 months of age, mild to
moderate mental retardation, hypogonadism, short stature, mild facial dysmorphism,
characteristic neurobehavior.
Rare Diseases
Rare diseases which affect patient populations of fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United
States, as defined by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Specific Learning Disability
A specific learning disability is defined as a disorder in one or more of the basic learning
processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest
in significant difficulties affecting the ability to listen, speak, read, write, spell, or do
mathematics. Associated conditions may include, but are not limited to, dyslexia, dyscalculia,
dysgraphia, or developmental aphasia. A specific learning disability does not include learning
problems that are primarily the result of a visual, hearing, motor, intellectual, or
emotional/behavioral disability, limited English proficiency, or environmental, cultural, or
economic factors.
2024-25 FES-UA Parent/Guardian Handbook
43
Speech Impairment
Speech impairments are disorders of speech sounds, fluency, or voice that interfere with
communication, adversely affect performance and/or functioning in the educational
environment, and result in the need for exceptional student education.
Spina Bifida
A person with a medical diagnosis of spina bifida cystica or myelomeningocele.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical
force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that
adversely affects educational performance. The term applies to mild, moderate, or severe, open
or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas such as cognition,
language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem-solving, sensory,
perceptual and motor abilities, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information
processing, or speech. The term includes anoxia due to trauma. The term does not include brain
injuries that are congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.
Visually Impaired
Students who are blind, have no vision, or have little potential for using vision or students who
have low vision. The term visual impairment does not include students who have learning
problems that are primarily the result of visual perceptual and/or visual motor difficulties.
(FLDOE definition)
Williams Syndrome
A rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (prenatal and
postnatal growth retardation), short statute, a varying degree of mental deficiency, and
distinctive facial features that typically become more pronounced with age as defined by the
National Organization for Rare Disorders.
