ACADEMICS
Florida State
Scholarships
Overview
How to Use State Funding to Pay for Your Child's Accelerated Education Experience
Scholarship Options
Florida's School Choice Programs
Florida has been a leader in school choice for decades, offering multiple scholarship programs to families seeking quality educational options. These state-funded scholarships make private education accessible and affordable.
Available Scholarship Programs
Acceleration Academics is an approved private school for multiple Florida scholarship programs:
- Personalized Education Program (PEP) — For all Florida students K-12
- Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) — For students with IEPs or qualifying diagnoses
- Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) — Income-based scholarship program
- Hope Scholarship — For students who experienced bullying or harassment
As a registered Florida private school (DOE #3987), Acceleration Academics can accept scholarship funds directly for tuition, making quality accelerated education accessible to families across Florida.
Which Scholarship Should My Student Apply For?
PEP Scholarship
Best for students who do not have an active IEP or official diagnosis that would qualify them for special services.
Average award: ~$7,800/year
FES-UA Scholarship
Best for students who do have an active IEP, 504 plan, or qualifying diagnosis.
Average award: ~$8,000/year
Both scholarships are managed by Step Up for Students (SUFS), an authorized Scholarship Funding Organization. The application process, requirements, and timelines differ between programs.
Important: Scholarship applications typically take 4-8 weeks to process. We strongly encourage families to apply early to ensure funding is in place before the school year begins.
"Your child's future deserves a higher standard."
PEP Scholarship
Personalized Education Program
What is the Personalized Education Program?
The Personalized Education Program (PEP) is one of Florida's most accessible state scholarships. Funded by corporate tax credits, PEP provides parents with direct access to education funds, enabling them to choose the learning environment and resources that best suit their child's needs.
Who is Eligible?
The PEP scholarship is available to all Florida students in grades K-12. Kindergarteners must be 5 years old by September 1st of the school year.
Priority Categories
First Priority:
- Families with household income at 185% of poverty or below
- Renewing students from FTC or FES scholarships
- Children in foster care or out-of-home care
Second Priority:
- Families with household income at 400% of poverty or below
Parents do not need to be in a priority category to receive the scholarship. Priority categories simply determine the order in which applications are processed when demand exceeds supply.
Key Dates for 2026-2027
Application Window: February 1, 2026 through April 30, 2026
Available Scholarships: 140,000 (cap removed in 2027-2028)
Students with PEP funding cannot be enrolled in a public school. Although the program is open to all students, parents must complete the application, approval, and funding process with Step Up for Students to qualify.
PEP Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Online
The legal parent or guardian applies for a PEP Scholarship at stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/pep. Submit a separate application for each child. You'll need: parent and student Social Security numbers, student's birth certificate (front and back, color), proof of residency, and income documentation if applying for priority status.
Wait for Processing
Applications take up to 60 days to process. The final determination is sent via email. If SUFS requests additional documents, resubmit immediately to avoid delays. Call 1-877-735-7837 to check your status.
Receive Funds in EMA
Once approved, funds appear in your EMA (Education Management Account) portal within 2-3 weeks. You'll use EMA to pay tuition invoices directly to Acceleration Academics.
Quarterly Funding Schedule
SUFS distributes funds quarterly. Funding begins in the quarter your scholarship is awarded.
Quarterly funds are not prorated. You receive the full quarterly amount regardless of when your scholarship is approved within that quarter.
Helpful Resources
Tips for PEP Success
Ensure a Smooth Application Process
Don't Miss the Deadline
Begin the application process as early as possible and complete it before April 30th. Early applications ensure your student receives funding for the full school year. Late applicants may miss Q1 funding entirely.
Submit Complete Documentation
Avoid delays by submitting accurate, complete documents with your initial application. Include front and back color images of the birth certificate. Ensure the applying adult's name appears clearly on all residency and income documents.
Respond Promptly to Requests
If SUFS requests additional documents, resubmit immediately. Then call 1-877-735-7837 to confirm receipt and expedite processing. Delays in resubmission can push your approval into the next quarter.
Understand the Funding Timeline
Familiarize yourself with the quarterly schedule. If you want full-year funding, your application must be approved before Q1 distribution (August 15 – September 15). Apply by April 30th to ensure processing time.
Learn to Use EMA
The EMA portal is where you'll manage scholarship funds and pay invoices. Take time to understand the interface before funds arrive so you can pay Acceleration Academics promptly when invoices are issued.
Stay in Communication
Keep us informed about your application status. We're here to answer questions and help troubleshoot any issues with the scholarship process. Email us at info@accelerationacademics.org.
Have an IEP, 504, or qualifying diagnosis? Your student may be eligible for the FES-UA scholarship, which provides additional funding. See the next section for details.
FES-UA Scholarship
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities
What is the FES-UA Scholarship?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides enhanced funding for students with specific diagnoses or learning needs. This scholarship recognizes that some students require additional resources and support to reach their full potential.
Who is Eligible?
The FES-UA scholarship is available to Florida students ages 3 through grade 12 (or age 22, whichever comes first) who have one of the following qualifying diagnoses:
Key Dates for 2026-2027
Application Window: February 1, 2026 through November 15, 2026
Available Scholarships: Approximately 60,000
FES-UA Application Process
Step-by-Step Guide
Apply Online
Apply at stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/fes-ua. Submit a separate application for each child. Required documents: parent and student Social Security numbers, birth certificate (front and back, color), proof of residency, and diagnosis documentation (IEP, 504 plan, or medical documentation).
Wait for Processing
Applications take up to 60 days. Monitor your email for status updates or document requests. If additional documentation is needed, respond immediately and call 1-877-735-7837 to confirm receipt.
Receive Funds in EMA
Approved funds appear in your EMA portal within 2-3 weeks. Use EMA to pay tuition invoices directly to Acceleration Academics.
Register as Home Education Student
Required for FES-UA recipients: You must register with your local school district as a home education student. Contact your district office to complete this step.
Quarterly Funding Schedule
FES-UA follows the same quarterly distribution as PEP:
Helpful Resources
Once all available scholarships are awarded, a waitlist application becomes available for the remainder of the school year. Apply early to avoid the waitlist.
Tips for FES-UA Success
Maximize Your Scholarship Experience
Start Early
Begin the application process as soon as the window opens (February 1st). Early applications provide ample processing time and reduce the risk of landing on the waitlist if demand exceeds supply.
Gather Diagnosis Documentation
Before applying, ensure you have current documentation: an active IEP, 504 plan, or medical documentation of a qualifying diagnosis. Outdated or incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays.
Submit Complete Applications
Include front and back color images of the birth certificate. Ensure the applying adult's name appears on all residency documents. Double-check that diagnosis documentation is legible and complete.
Don't Forget District Registration
FES-UA recipients must register as home education students with their local school district. This is a separate requirement from the scholarship application. Contact your district office for instructions.
Understand Award Variations
FES-UA amounts vary by grade level, county, and severity of need. The ~$8,000 average is just that—an average. Your actual award may differ. Plan accordingly.
Keep Us Informed
Communication is key. Let us know when you've applied, when you're approved, and if you encounter any obstacles. We're partners in your child's education and want to help. Email info@accelerationacademics.org.
"Excellence isn't accidental, it's engineered."
Resources & Contact
Everything You Need in One Place
PEP Resources
FES-UA Resources
Step Up for Students Contact
- Website: stepupforstudents.org
- Contact Page: stepupforstudents.org/contact
- Hotline: 1-877-735-7837
Acceleration Academics Inc.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization | EIN: 41-2449608
Florida DOE Private School #3987 | Florida Nonprofit N22000013476
Orlando, FL 32804
Fax: 833-341-0047
"Structure that feels safe. Rigor that feels possible."
We're here to support you every step of the way.
Your child's accelerated education journey starts here.