PEP Scholarship: Florida Education Savings Account for Homeschool
Sonlight is an Approved Florida Education Vendor
Sonlight is excited to be an approved vendor for the Personalized Education Scholarship in Florida! Learn more about how you can use your tax dollars to homeschool below.
- Christ-Centered Education strengthens faith.
- Fully-planned. Zero Prep. 4 or 5 day schedules.
- Academic Excellence, yet joyful to learn.
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How to Apply and Access Florida Funds
Applying for the PEP Scholarship is a straightforward process administered by StepUp for Students. You can submit your application through their website, where you'll find extensive details on eligibility, deadlines, and the application procedure.
To get started, visit the Step Up for Students website, and apply here: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/ema/. You can also learn more about the scholarship here: Step Up For Students Handbook.
The Florida Personalized Education Program (PEP) Scholarship, offered through the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, empowers eligible students in Florida to access an Educational Savings Account (ESA) to support their educational journey. As an approved vendor for the PEP in Florida, Sonlight is thrilled to offer a dynamic educational experience for Florida families seeking comprehensive homeschooling solutions.
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Why Sonlight is a Top Choice for Utilizing Your Florida ESA Funds
1 Everything You Need
Everything you need to homeschool your child in one place.
2 Aligned with Florida Standards
Sonlight's curriculum is easily tailored to meet Florida's educational standards, ensuring that your child's homeschooling journey complies with state requirements when utilizing ESA funds.
3 Easy To Teach
Open and go. Everything you need so you can teach confidently.
4 Christ-Centered Education
Our carefully curated selection of books and materials teach from the perspective of God's truth and love for all people of the world, supporting parents seeking the best for their children through their ESA funds.
5 Robust Support System
Sonlight is here to support you and your child every step of the way. We're available through chat, email, or by phone. You can also find support on Sonlight's Connections App and community Facebook pages and Instagram, where you can connect with us and other homeschooling parents.
Sonlight Makes Homeschool Easy!
Have questions about Sonlight or homeschooling? Schedule a call with our experience advisors! Let us help guide you through what curriculum would best suit your child and answer all of your questions about homeschooling.
What is an education savings account in Florida?
If your first question is “What is an educational savings account?” you are not alone.
Many families have questions about what is sometimes referred to as the Florida school choice bill, the Florida Educational Savings Account program, and the Florida homeschool voucher.
An Educational Savings Account (ESA), is a state program that allows families to use government funds toward public education alternatives including homeschooling.
Florida currently has several school choice options, including the Personal Education Program (PEP), which falls under the Florida Tax Scholarship Program. PEP provides funding for homeschool families, allowing parents to direct their child’s education, via an ESA.
Are Florida Homeschool Scholarships available through the Personalized Education Program?
Those looking for funding (grants) for homeschooling can apply through Florida’s Personal Education Program (PEP.)
Currently, up to 60,000 students a year can receive Florida Tax Scholarship funds through PEP, and that number is expected to grow.
Parents seeking homeschool scholarships may apply for Florida’s PEP as long as their children are Florida residents and eligible for Kindergarten through Grade 12 based on public school age standards.
Students who live in a household where the income level is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, and students in foster care or out-of-home care are given first priority, and students in households at or above 185 percent but below 400 percent of the federal poverty level are given next priority.
Those looking for homeschool discounts for Florida residents can find more information here.
What Requirements Must Florida Families Meet to Qualify For Homeschool Funding?
Although Florida provides several scholarship programs, families must meet very specific guidelines in order to participate.
First, there are actually three distinct ways to homeschool in Florida, including:
- under Florida’s state homeschool statutes
- in partnership with an umbrella (or private school)
- by utilizing a certified tutor
Florida state statutes outline requirements for homeschooling in Florida, and Florida homeschool families looking to use ESA funds can do so in three ways:
First, through the Personal Education Program (PEP), administered by two Scholarship Funding Option (SFO) agencies: Step Up for Students and The AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Second, homeschool families may choose to partner with:
- a private school, usually referred to as an “umbrella school”
- a charter school or
- an online or school or virtual school
Parents looking to utilize ESA funds for umbrella schools, charter schools or online schools or programs can learn more here.
Additionally, pre-K students may qualify for the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship Program - Unique Abilities (FES UA).
Does Florida pay parents to homeschool their child?
Currently, Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship Program - Educational Options (FES EO) monies are available only to students enrolled in a private school approved by the program.
“Traditional” homeschoolers may meet requirements of the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship Program - Unique Abilities (FES UA), however.
According to the Florida Department of Education Website:
“FES UA students can meet school attendance requirements by either attending full time at a private school or through a home education program registered with their school district. Home education program students must meet the requirements established in Section 1002.41, Florida Statutes.”
In addition, homeschooling isn’t tax deductible in Florida and there is no federal tax deduction at this time for homeschool families.
Finally, scholarship funds are intended to be used toward educational resources and purchases.
So do homeschool parents get paid to homeschool in Florida?
Across the United States, the average cost of homeschooling one child for a year is between $500 and $2,500.
Therefore, those who qualify for Florida ESA programs do usually receive funding in excess of that amount to help cover homeschool costs, but homeschool parents are not paid for homeschooling.
It is possible to homeschool for free in Florida based on nationwide average homeschool costs, but families will need to research and decide on the best educational savings account option for their family.
Are education savings accounts taxed?
Florida educational savings accounts are generally not taxed. But it’s important to remember that according to the Internal Revenue Service, ESA funding cannot exceed the cost of qualified educational expenses.
Can I withdraw from an education savings account?
No. Parents and students are not permitted to withdraw funds from a Florida ESA/Empowerment Scholarship Program account.
Florida partners with two non-profit organizations to disburse ESA funding - A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation - FL, LLC and Stand Up For Students.
How do I use my Florida education savings account?
Those interested in Florida ESAs for homeschooling must apply through one the three “channels” listed above, depending on circumstances.
All homeschool-related Florida ESAs including the Personal Education Program (PEP) are managed through two Scholarship Funding Option (SFO) agencies:
These organizations coordinate disbursement of ESA funds to qualifying families.
Parents of Pre-K students approved through the Florida Family Empowerment Scholarship Program - Unique Abilities (FES UA) receive funds that may be used for qualifying educational expenses including a “homeschooling program.” A detailed list of other qualifying expenses can be found here.
Florida offers a wide array of school choice programs intended to serve a variety of needs.
In 2023, Florida introduced its Personalized Education Program (PEP), which in part, provides funding for up to 60,000 homeschool students each year. This program is expected to grow each year.
Families intending to homeschool can apply to PEP through one of two Florida Board of Education-approved Scholarship Funding Options (SFOs) - either Step Up for Students or A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation.
Requirements may include providing proof of each students’ age and Florida residency.
Approved families receive funds quarterly from the SFO to be used toward qualifying homeschooling expenses including:
Textbooks
Workbooks
Homeschooling curriculum
Tutors
Classes
Standardized Test Fees
Online Courses
Educational Therapies
FUNDING
Funding varies based on Florida county, as well as student grade level, but for the 2024-2025 school year, on average, families that qualified for PEP scholarships received $8,000 per student.
For more information, this chart shows PEP scholarship amounts by Florida county.
As of the 2024-2025 school year, PEP scholarships are still limited, so it’s advised to apply as soon as Scholarship Funding Option (SFO) programs allow.
Your Florida ESA and Sonlight Curriculum
The good news is, Sonlight curriculum is eligible for purchase using Florida ESA funds. Our outstanding customer service team is available to help you every step of the way in the ESA curriculum buying process.
Sonlight has an engaging and comprehensive homeschool program, all in one easy package! We offer literature-based learning with easy to use lesson plans and sample schedules. Sonlight is already proud to serve many Florida homeschoolers and we welcome the opportunity to support you in your homeschool needs.