In Florida, choosing the right homeschool curriculum is a critical first step. For families seeking state education funding or scholarships, the next steps involve a lot of questions. 

What programs are available? How do I determine my student’s placement? Which materials are approved? Where do I access the marketplace?

Florida offers scholarship and education funding options that can support approved curriculum, instructional materials, tutoring, testing, and other educational services. Programs include eligibility rules, purchasing systems, documentation expectations, and annual responsibilities.

This guide walks through key Florida education funding options, including Personalized Education Programs (PEP), Educational Savings Account (ESA) funds, marketplace purchases, placement considerations, and recordkeeping steps to help families make informed decisions before they buy.

How Education Funding Works in Florida

Florida has several K-12 scholarship programs. For homeschool instructors, the most relevant option to review is the Personalized Education Program (PEP).

The Florida Department of Education describes PEP as an option under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. Parents direct the education of PEP students and can receive access to funds in an Education Savings Account (ESA).

State funding details can always change. So, begin with official Florida sources and the Scholarship Funding Organization before you apply, renew, or purchase. These sources provide current guidance on eligibility, approved expenses, testing, documentation, and purchasing rules.

PEP is different from a standard Florida home education program registered through a school district. Key differences include:

• PEP students register with a Scholarship Funding Organization
• Home education students register with their school district
• PEP families submit a student learning plan each year
• PEP families send annual norm-referenced test results to the Scholarship Funding Organization

For many homeschool families, PEP is the main starting point for ESA-style funding in Florida. Other programs may apply depending on a student’s needs or school setting.

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NOTE: If a home education student receives PEP scholarship funds, the family should file a written notice of termination for the home education program and alert the district that the student is participating in PEP.

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What Florida Homeschool Families Should Know About PEP

PEP can support flexible instruction, but families should understand the program’s requirements and responsibilities before counting on funds.

The parent develops the student’s learning plan to guide instruction and identify the goods and services that will address the student’s academic needs. Families must then submit this plan annually to the Scholarship Funding Organization before initial approval or renewal.

PEP students also complete annual testing. Florida’s annual assessment guidance says PEP students must take an approved, nationally norm-referenced test each year. Families may also make arrangements with their school district for certain statewide assessments, when available.

Use these requirements as planning checkpoints:

1. Confirm student eligibility
2. Prepare the student learning plan
3. Review annual testing expectations
4. Track application and renewal timelines
5. Save approval notices and program records

Review current availability before building your year around PEP funds.

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NOTE: As of this writing, Step Up For Students reports that the PEP Scholarship is at capacity for the 2026-27 school year. New students may still apply, but additional scholarships are not guaranteed at this time. Program status can change, though, so confirm up-to-date details with Step Up For Students and the Florida Department of Education before applying, renewing, or purchasing materials.

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Using Florida’s Marketplace to Purchase Curriculum and Supplies

For many Florida scholarship families, purchases are made through Step Up For Students and the Education Management Assistant (EMA) system.

MyScholarShop is the Step Up For Students’ online marketplace for families with an ESA. Families can purchase pre-approved instructional materials and curriculum without paying out of pocket first. Vendors are also paid directly through the student’s scholarship account, so reimbursement paperwork is not needed for marketplace purchases.

Families can also buy pre-approved instructional materials directly from vendors and then apply for reimbursement. Before making any purchases, though, look into these parameters:

• Student eligibility and funding status
• Product fit for the student’s current level
• Approval status for the scholarship program
• Availability through MyScholarShop or another approved path
• Documentation that may be needed later
• Return, exchange, or repeat purchase limits

Do not assume last year’s rules will still apply. Review the current purchasing guide, parent handbook, and marketplace details before placing an order. Step Up provides PEP resources, including a handbook and purchasing, reimbursement, and application materials.

Start With Placement Before Purchasing

The best starting point is the student’s present level. Students beginning with material that’s too advanced tend to get frustrated, while students who repeat material they already understand tend to get bored. In both cases, progress slows. Good placement protects both the student and the family’s funding.

Demme Learning’s Math-U-See approach is designed around mastery. Students move forward after demonstrating conceptual understanding. Families working through math placement may also find Demme Learning’s guidance on mastery-based math placement useful before choosing materials.

Demme Learning’s Spelling You See placement is based on the student’s language development stage, rather than grade level. WriteShop also offers placement guidance, because age and skill are not the only factors to consider when choosing a writing level.

Before using Florida scholarship funds, confirm the right placement fit. This can prevent wasted funds, reduce midyear changes, and give students a steadier path forward.

Plan Florida Scholarship Purchases With Purpose

Florida education funding can cover important resources, but strong instruction still depends on thoughtful decisions. Build a clear purchasing plan around each student’s actual needs.

1. Identify core subjects that need support
2. Confirm placement before choosing a curriculum
3. Prioritize materials that build understanding over time
4. Check whether the product is approved for the student’s program
5. Review purchasing rules before checkout
6. Save receipts, confirmations, learning plans, and related records

For math, this might include choosing a mastery-based sequence and the manipulatives needed to support it. For spelling or writing, it can mean choosing a level that matches the student’s development and gives the instructor enough structure for steady practice.

Keep Records in One Place

Florida scholarship families should keep clear records, so they’re ready to answer questions quickly during renewal periods, reimbursement reviews, account questions, or program changes. 

Be sure to keep digital and printed copies whenever possible, and keep the marketplace confirmations with the student’s learning plan and assessment records. What to save:

• Scholarship approval notices
• Student learning plans
• Purchase confirmations
• Receipts
• Invoices
• Reimbursement submissions
• Testing documentation
• Marketplace order details
• Communication from the Scholarship Funding Organization

Use Florida Funding to Support Strong Instruction

A family that purchases through the PEP program before confirming approval rules may encounter reimbursement issues or need to change course midyear.

The better path is to treat funding as part of the instructional plan. Start with placement, choose materials that match the student’s needs, confirm the purchasing process, and keep documentation organized from the beginning. 

When those pieces work together, Florida scholarship funds can support a steadier, more confident year of learning.

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Demme Learning lists Florida among the educational assistance programs it works with and directs Florida families to Step Up For Students through its Educational Assistance Programs resource. 

If you are using Florida education funding, search for Demme Learning in Florida’s Step Up marketplace and choose resources that help your student build lasting understanding!