What does a Florida PEP reimbursement receipt need?

An itemized receipt showing the provider name, the full MM/DD/YY date, an itemized cost breakdown, plus separate proof of payment in full — a paid/zero-balance invoice, a PayPal receipt, or a cleared check with account and routing numbers redacted. Handwritten or unofficial documents are not accepted.

When are Florida scholarship reimbursements due?

The purchase window runs July 1 through June 30, and reimbursement requests for 2026-27 are due by July 31, 2027. Reviews can take up to 60 days after complete documentation.

How much is the Florida scholarship worth?

About $8,000 on average; the exact amount is set by the Florida Legislature and varies by grade level and county.

Florida ESA: FES-EO & PEP receipts and reimbursement

Family Empowerment Scholarship (Educational Options) and Personalized Education Program · administered by Step Up For Students · last checked September 25, 2026.

Florida's reimbursements are strict: an itemized receipt and separate proof of payment in full. A plain invoice, a bank statement, or a handwritten note gets rejected — and reviews can take up to 60 days. Keeping it right the first time is the whole game.

How you spend (through EMA)

Everything runs through the EMA wallet. You have three paths:

Direct billing — EMA pays an eligible private school or approved provider directly.
MyScholarShop — buy eligible curriculum and materials with no out-of-pocket cost.
Out-of-pocket + reimbursement — you pay, then request reimbursement in EMA.

What a reimbursement needs

An itemized receipt: provider/merchant name, full MM/DD/YY date, item descriptions, and a cost breakdown (base cost, taxes, fees, discounts, total).
Separate proof of payment in full: a paid/zero-balance invoice, a PayPal receipt (date, provider, amount, funding source), a cleared check (front/back, account and routing redacted), or a tuition-management statement (FACTS, Blackbaud/TADS).
The provider name on the proof of payment must match the receipt. Handwritten or unofficial documents are not accepted.

Award and deposit dates (2026-27)

The scholarship is worth about $8,000 on average (the Legislature sets the exact amount by grade and county). Funds arrive quarterly: around August 1 / September 1, November 1, February 1, and April 1.

The deadline that matters

The eligible purchase window is July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027, and reimbursement requests are due July 31, 2027. Unlike some states this is one annual deadline, not quarterly — so don't let a year of receipts pile up.

Allowed expense categories (PEP)

Instructional materials, and curriculum & curriculum materials
Tuition and fees (eligible FL private schools, dual enrollment, postsecondary)
Home-education instructional program tuition/fees
Contracted services from a public school or district
Standardized testing fees (including proctoring)
Part-time tutoring and Choice Navigator services
Online/virtual providers (FLDOE-approved)
Physical education activities and field trips
Internet and educational streaming services
Subscriptions / multi-user plans (prorated to scholarship students)

The FES-EO private-school list is narrower — mostly instructional materials, curriculum, tuition/fees, testing, contracted services and part-time tutoring.

Things that are not allowed

Examples: digital devices (laptops, computers, peripherals), general household items, provider rebates paid back to the parent, out-of-state private-school tuition, and parent/teacher training or conferences.

Stay reimbursement-ready

School Choice Tracker keeps each itemized receipt and its proof of payment together, tags the child and category, and flags what still needs reimbursing before the July 31 deadline. Everything stays on your phone.

Start free — no sign-up

School Choice Tracker is independent and not affiliated with Step Up For Students or the Florida Department of Education. This page summarizes public sources and isn't legal or financial advice; the official handbook controls. Sources: PEP Family Handbook, Private School Family Handbook.