Beyond Traditional School: Finding the Right Learning Environment for Your Student

Florida School Choice Scholarships: Everything You Need to Know

More choices. More flexibility. More ways to build an education around your student.

Florida families have access to a growing range of educational choices beyond a traditional neighborhood school.

From private and hybrid programs to personalized education and home-based learning, state scholarship programs can give eligible families more flexibility in deciding where—and sometimes how—their students learn.

Florida currently lists six K–12 scholarship programs, with several designed specifically to expand educational choice for families. Florida Department of Education

At EDUCATE Learning Community Network, we believe families should understand the options available to them so they can make informed decisions about the learning environment that best supports their student.

For families interested in flexible and personalized education, two programs are especially important to understand: the Personalized Education Program (PEP) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA).

What Is the Personalized Education Program (PEP)?

The Personalized Education Program, commonly called PEP, is an option within Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program.

Instead of requiring students to attend a traditional full-time public or private school, PEP allows eligible families to direct their student’s education and access scholarship funds through an Education Savings Account (ESA).

Parents also create an individualized student learning plan that outlines how their child will be educated and which resources will support their academic needs. Florida Department of Education

For the 2026–27 school year, PEP is open to eligible Florida students in grades K–12 who are not enrolled full-time in a public or private school. The program is available regardless of household income, although scholarship funding and prioritization rules still apply. Step Up For Students

Depending on program rules and approval, scholarship funds may be used for educational expenses such as:

• Curriculum and instructional materials

• Approved online or virtual programs

• Full-time or part-time tutoring

• Standardized testing

• Certain extracurricular or instructional programs

• Approved educational services and supplies

This flexibility gives families greater opportunity to create an educational experience around the individual student rather than relying on a single traditional model. Step Up For Students

What Is the FES-UA Scholarship?

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is designed for Florida students with qualifying disabilities or diagnoses.

Instead of limiting families to a single educational provider, FES-UA provides eligible students with an Education Savings Account that can be used for a variety of approved educational services.

These may include:

• Private-school tuition

• Home education expenses

• Curriculum

• Therapists and specialists

• Tutoring

• Approved educational materials

• Other qualifying education-related services

For 2026–27, eligible students generally must be Florida residents between ages 3 and 22—or through grade 12—and have a qualifying diagnosis. Step Up For Students

Step Up for Students currently reports that the FES-UA scholarship is worth about $10,000 per student on average, although individual awards vary based on factors such as grade level, county, and the level of special-education services needed. Step Up For Students

How Much Funding Can Families Receive?

Scholarship amounts are not the same for every student.

For PEP, funding varies according to a student’s grade level and county of residence. Florida’s Legislature determines scholarship funding amounts annually. Step Up For Students

For FES-UA, the amount can also vary based on the student’s educational needs and level of special-education services. Step Up For Students

Because award amounts can change from year to year, we recommend checking the current funding charts from your Scholarship Funding Organization rather than relying on a single statewide estimate.

How Do Florida Families Apply?

Florida families apply through an approved Scholarship Funding Organization, or SFO.

For the 2026–27 school year, Florida lists approved organizations including Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, and Sunshine State Kids, although the programs administered by each organization may vary. Florida Department of Education

Families applying through Step Up for Students generally create an account through the EMA system, complete the appropriate scholarship application, provide required documentation, and wait for eligibility determination.

Important 2026–27 Application Dates

Application timelines are important because they differ depending on the scholarship.

For PEP, both new and renewal applications for 2026–27 were due April 30, 2026. PEP applications for the current school year are now closed. Step Up For Students

For FES-UA, the priority deadline for renewing students was April 30, while new applications may be submitted through November 15, 2026, subject to program capacity. Step Up For Students

Families planning for the next school year should begin researching early because application windows, acceptance deadlines, and funding requirements can change annually.

What Can Scholarship Funds Be Used For?

One of the biggest advantages of Florida's personalized scholarship programs is flexibility.

Depending on the scholarship, families may be able to combine different educational resources rather than receiving education entirely through one traditional school.

That can mean creating a pathway that includes academics alongside tutoring, online courses, specialized instruction, community-based learning, therapies, career exploration, or other approved educational resources.

However, not every program, provider, course, or expense automatically qualifies for scholarship funding. Families should confirm eligibility with their Scholarship Funding Organization before enrolling or making purchases.

Where Does EDUCATE Fit In?

At EDUCATE Learning Community Network, we believe education should be built around the student.

Our approach connects personalized academics with flexible learning environments, community partnerships, career pathways, and student support.

For Florida families, school-choice programs can create additional opportunities to explore educational models that may better align with a student’s goals, interests, and individual needs.

Rather than asking:

“Which school is my student supposed to attend?”

We encourage families to also ask:

“What learning environment will help my student thrive?”

That might mean a traditional school.

It might mean online or hybrid education.

It might mean a smaller learning community.

Or it might be a combination of educational experiences designed specifically around that student.

The goal is choice with purpose.

Start Exploring Your Options

Navigating scholarships, eligibility requirements, learning models, and enrollment can feel complicated—but families don't have to figure everything out at once.

Start by understanding:

Your student. Their goals. Your options.

Then build from there.

EDUCATE Learning Community Network is committed to helping families and communities explore flexible, student-centered educational pathways designed for what comes next.

Education should fit the student—not the other way around.

Learn more at educate.network

For today’s flyer promoting the blog, I’d keep it really simple:

FLORIDA SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOLARSHIPS

Everything You Need to Know

PEP • FES-UA • Funding • Eligibility • Applications

More choices. More flexibility. More ways to build education around your student.