Updated: 4/16/25
New legislation went into effect July 1, 2023 opening up the STEP UP FOR STUDENTS program to Florida home educators agreeing to the oversight requirements specified in the bill outlined in the chart below. You must apply and be approved.
It is highly recommended to read the handbook and reimbursement guide to get the best, most reliable information.
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/purchasing-guides/
Personalize Education Plan references:
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/
Personalized Education Program (PEP) FAQs (fldoe.org)
You can also find information from the Home Education Foundation as it relates to the home education population: https://www.flhef.org/hb1
Our lobbyist with the Home Education Foundation along with Florida Parent Education Association (FPEA) and the Home School Legal Defense League (HSLDA) all jumped into action regarding HB1 initial language. "Traditional" home education and the no attendance required "umbrella" private school were terms nearly eliminated from legislation. This resulted in a two part definition change evident in the final language. The traditional definition of home education remains intact for those preferring minimal government oversight. It is important to protect this language. Your lobbyist explains this significant change in this video.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=535217081962465
EDUCATION PROVIDERS:
If you are an educational or extra curricular service in the NWFL area it could be in your best interest to go through the process of becoming a pre-approved Florida provider.
Vendor link: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/schools-and-providers/vendors/
Provider link: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/schools-and-providers/
Home education families find value in public, non-profit, and private offerings, whether they are part of the funding or not. The addition of homeschoolers to FES funding will divide the home education community into three defined groups below. Providers may notice a difference in what families can pay as a result.
| Home education law | FTC-PEP | FES- UA |
|---|---|---|
| Register under the Home Education law with your county | Terminate your home education program or withdraw from school | Register under the Home Education law with your county |
| Keep a portfolio and log. | Register with the Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) (Step Up or AAA) | Complete application with a Dr.’s report or IEP |
| Submit an annual evaluation. (parents select one of five options) | Receive ~$7,500 for home school expenses | Students will receive $8,000 and up depending on the student’s need for services and the IEP |
| Home Education students do not receive government scholarships for K-12 grade | Submit a student learning plan to SFO | Funds may be used for curriculum, courses etc. |
| Submit a sworn affidavit to SFO | Submit an annual evaluation. (parents select one of five options) | |
| Complete a national normed reference test and submit the score to the SFO |