Florida has created several scholarship programs to help parents choose the right educational program for their children. Homeschoolers, specifically, have access to funds through the Personalized Education Program (PEP), funded by the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and run by Step Up for Students.
This program grants up to 100,000 students around $8,000 in funds for approved homeschool materials, courses, and supplies.
So, can these funds be used for college? In specific cases, yes! Read on to see how to access this money, which programs qualify, and what requirements you need to meet to get and keep funding.
Who Qualifies for Florida Esa Funding for Homeschoolers?
To be eligible for the program, students must withdraw from public school or any home education program with the school district (remote, public school) to be fully independent as a PEP student. Families must choose and declare a grade level (5th, 11th, etc.) and state this on their enrollment forms.
From there, families should:
- Create, submit, and keep their annual Student Learning (SLP) plan, which gives more detail on what will be taught in the home.
- Take annual standardized tests, which get submitted to Step Up. Families may choose the Florida statewide assessment at their local school, if they wish.
Parents do not need to track or record instructional days or hours.
While the program has no income requirements, it does prioritize lower-income families with a household income of 185% or below the poverty line. Also on this high-priority list are returning students to the program and children in the foster care system.
Those with a household income of 400% of the poverty line or below are next in the queue.
How to Use the Florida ESA Program to Buy College Courses
While limitations like income and other qualifications may determine how long these steps take, participating in the Florida ESA program requires these steps:
- Apply for the PEP program by April 30th.
- Once approved, accept the scholarship.
- Complete the Student Learning Plan (SLP).
- Access your Education Market Assistant (EMA) account.
- Shop from My Scholar Shop for pre-approved dual enrollment vendors such as Mid-America Christian University (MACU), powered by TEL Education.
Once enrolled, your student will get information on how to take the course and complete it on their own schedule through the self-paced learning format.
Can Homeschoolers Enroll in the Florida ESA?
Yes, the PEP program is designed specifically for homeschoolers and covers the cost of materials, select courses (those without live instruction), supplies, and testing. Homeschoolers must also be running their own program and not using the public school learning systems at home.
The ESA program can help you pay for your choice of an educational plan, whether it’s classical homeschooling or another style.
“MACU powered by TEL Dual Enrollment courses are a perfect fit for homeschool families using Florida’s ESA. Not only do they help students get college-ready in a flexible, self-paced format — they also offer a smart way to save significantly on the cost of higher education.”
— Russ Pickett, VP of Customer & Business Development, TEL Education
Using the Florida ESA funds to buy dual enrollment for homeschoolers may make perfect sense for your family. With courses in Physical Science, Spanish, Composition, and more, it’s an affordable way to build college credits and fill a high school transcript at the same time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require testing to access ESA funds?
Yes, parents need to have their students tested with one of the approved tests and submit the results annually before receiving funds the next year. If parents don’t want to do the testing on their own, they can sign the student up through the local school district for the Florida state standards testing. (Just do this early enough to meet any deadlines and ensure there’s space for the student.)
What colleges can I use my Florida ESA funds at?
Florida has a rigorous process for approving new colleges and universities, and the only way to know which schools have approval is to log into your class wallet account. Currently, Mid-America Christian University, powered by TEL Education, is one option. This regionally-accredited school gives students full college credit for Chemistry, Spanish, Communications, and more through a flexible, 100% self-paced model.
How can I use Florida ESA funds to earn college credits?
Dual enrollment must be done while the student is still in high school, and PEP funds aren’t available after graduation. However, if students take courses through an approved dual enrollment provider like TEL Education while still in high school, they can use the PEP funds to earn college credit. Using these Florida ESA funds can greatly reduce the overall cost of a college education.
