Getting Paid for Homeschooling under Florida Law

What if the state could help cover the cost of your homeschooling journey, without giving up control over how your child learns?

Over the past year, more than 155,532 students and 114,239 families were registered in Florida’s home education program. As that number grows, so does interest in ways to reduce the financial pressure that comes with it. From curriculum and tutoring to testing and materials, the cost of home education often falls entirely on families, pushing some to reconsider if homeschooling is even possible long-term.

But recent changes in Florida law are shifting that reality. Programs like the Personalized Education Program (PEP) now provide annual education savings accounts (ESAs) to eligible families, offering thousands of dollars per child to use on approved learning expenses.

TL;DR

• Florida provides funding for homeschooling through Step Up for Students and the PEP program, offering up to $10,000 per year.

• PEP covers costs like curriculum, tutoring, and Florida Virtual School, with eligibility based on a Student Learning Plan and annual testing.

• Families must apply through a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) and meet legal requirements, including a Letter of Termination if switching from a traditional school.

• PEP comes with tradeoffs, such as losing access to district services and potential challenges with customer support.

  
  

How Does Florida Support Homeschooling with State Funding?

Homeschooling is growing fast in Florida. More and more families are choosing to teach their children at home because they want more flexibility, better learning experiences, or simply a different approach than traditional schools offer. But as rewarding as homeschooling can be, it often comes with real challenges, especially when it comes to cost.

If you’re considering homeschooling in Florida, you might be wondering: Can the state help you financially? The answer is yes. Florida offers programs that can provide thousands of dollars per year to help cover educational expenses at home. Here's what you need to know.

1. Florida Offers Financial Help for Homeschooling

Florida now offers a few key programs that provide money directly to families who want to homeschool. These programs are designed to support you in building a strong educational experience at home.

If your child qualifies, you could receive between $7,000 and $10,000 per year, depending on your county and your child’s grade. This funding can be used to pay for curriculum, materials, online courses, tutoring, and even certain college programs.

2. Homeschooling Can Be Expensive Without Support

While homeschooling gives you full control, it also means you're responsible for everything: curriculum, materials, testing, tutoring, and more. These costs can add up quickly. Many parents end up spending thousands of dollars every year just to make sure their child gets a complete and engaging education.

Even basic supplies and online resources can become a burden, especially if you have more than one child. That’s why state financial support can make a big difference, helping you focus on learning instead of worrying about money.

Programs like The School House Anywhere (TSHA) also offer a complete, ready-to-use curriculum with hands-on materials, easing the pressure of lesson planning. Designed for Pre-K to 6th grade, TSHA supports families with flexible tools, non-screen learning, and 24/7 guidance.

Let’s now explore the state’s key financial assistance programs in more detail.

Also Read: Best Microschools in Florida: A Detailed Guide

What State Funding Is Available for Homeschooling in Florida?

Florida offers structured programs that allow homeschool families to access financial support for eligible educational expenses. Understanding these state-backed options can help you plan your homeschool journey with greater clarity and confidence.

1. Step Up for Students

Step Up for Students is a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO) approved by the Florida Department of Education. It runs several education scholarship programs for K–12 students.

Step Up’s goal is to give families more control over how and where their child learns, whether that’s at home or in a customized learning environment.

2. Personalized Education Program (PEP): Homeschool Funding

The Personalized Education Program (PEP) is designed for families who want to homeschool but also need financial help. It’s part of the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) and was expanded in 2023 under House Bill 1 to include almost all K–12 students.

Through PEP, you can receive thousands of dollars each year to cover educational costs as long as your child meets basic eligibility requirements. 

Now, let’s explore who can apply for the PEP and how much funding you can receive.

Also Read: A Guide to Start Homeschooling in Florida

Who Can Apply and How Much Can You Get?

To qualify, your child must:

• Be a Florida resident

• Be in grades K–12

• Be 5 years old or older by September 1 of the school year

• Not be enrolled full-time in a public or private school

  
  

There’s no income limit to apply. However, if there are more applicants than spots available, the state gives first priority to families with lower incomes or those in foster care.

The average award ranges from $7,000 to $10,000 per year per child, depending on your location and your child’s grade level. 

We’ll next explore how you can use this funding and what expenses it can cover.

What Can You Spend the Money On?

The PEP scholarship gives you the freedom to use the money on many different types of educational expenses, such as:

• Curriculum (books, kits, and lesson plans)

• Digital learning platforms

• Florida Virtual School (FLVS) part-time courses

• Tutoring or therapy services

• Educational software or tools

• Test fees for assessments

• Part-time college or apprenticeship courses

• Help from a certified Choice Navigator to plan your child’s learning

  
  

You can order materials directly from Step Up’s approved marketplace or request reimbursement if you purchase them yourself. Funds are managed through a special online account that you control.

Let’s move on to the steps involved in enrolling and meeting the legal requirements for receiving PEP funding.

Enrollment Tech Steps & Legal Requirements

If you're planning to homeschool in Florida under the Personalized Education Program (PEP), there are a few key steps you must follow. These include both online enrollment tasks and legal paperwork that make your child officially eligible for funding.

1. Choose a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO)

First, you’ll need to apply through a state-approved Scholarship Funding Organization. Most families use either Step Up for Students or AAA Scholarships. This is the organization that will manage your funding and help you access your Education Savings Account (ESA).

2. Create an EMA Account

Florida uses the EMA (Education Market Assistant) system to manage all applications and scholarship accounts. You’ll need to create an EMA account as the parent or guardian, then add your child’s details before beginning the PEP application.

3. Complete the PEP Application

Inside EMA, select the Personalized Education Program (PEP) as your scholarship type. Make sure you mark your child as a homeschooler, not enrolled in public or private school, so your application is placed in the correct category.

4. Submit a Letter of Termination (If Previously Enrolled)

If your child was already registered in a district-run home education program or was enrolled in a public/private school, you must submit a Letter of Termination to your local school district. This confirms that you are switching to the PEP-funded homeschool track.

5. Submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP)

After your application is approved, you must create and submit a Student Learning Plan. This plan outlines what your child will be learning during the year. It must include your chosen curriculum, learning goals, and any additional services (like tutoring or courses).

6. Complete Yearly Testing Requirements

Florida law requires each PEP-funded student to take a norm-referenced test every year. You’ll need to choose from an approved test list and submit the results to your SFO. This is a mandatory step to remain eligible for continued funding.

7. Sign the Annual Compliance Statement

Every year, you’ll also be asked to sign a sworn compliance statement. This confirms that you’re following program guidelines, using funds appropriately, and meeting all academic reporting requirements.

8. Use Your ESA Funds Responsibly

Once everything is set up, your child’s scholarship funds will appear in your ESA account. You can use these funds through the built-in EMA Marketplace or request reimbursements for eligible educational purchases.

9. Be Aware of Deadlines and Enrollment Limits

PEP has a limited number of spots available each year. For the 2024–25 school year, the cap is 60,000 students. That rises to 100,000 for 2025–26. Make sure you apply early and keep track of deadlines, usually by late spring, for both applications and required documentation.

Next, let’s look at some important tradeoffs and concerns shared by families in the homeschooling community.

Also Read: Homeschool Groups and Support Organizations in Florida

Important Tradeoffs & Community Concerns

While Florida’s PEP scholarship program can provide real financial relief, it’s important to understand the tradeoffs that come with it. Many families in the homeschooling community have shared questions and concerns about what they might lose access to or face challenges with after switching to a PEP-funded homeschool path.

1. You Lose Access to Some District Services

   
   

   

   
   

Once you switch to PEP homeschooling, your child is no longer considered part of the district system. This means you may lose access to certain public-school services like:

• Participation in school sports teams

• Free Florida Virtual School (FLVS) courses

• Local district support or homeschool liaisons

  
  

If your child was using any of these resources before, you’ll need to plan for alternatives or pay out of pocket if needed. 

The School House Anywhere (TSHA) helps fill that gap by offering a full Pre-K to 6th grade curriculum built on the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC), along with educator support and flexible, hands-on materials. AEC is designed to give children real-world learning experiences, without needing district programs or screen-based tools.

2. FLVS Becomes a Paid Option if Funds Run Out

Many families rely on FLVS for core or supplemental courses. Under PEP, you can use scholarship funds for FLVS, but if your ESA balance runs out, you’ll be responsible for the cost. That typically means paying around $375 per course per semester, which can add up quickly for multiple classes.

3. Customer Support Can Be Slow or Unclear

Parents have reported frustration with Step Up for Students, especially when it comes to:

• Getting timely help with application issues

• Understanding the rules for dual enrollment

• Reimbursement policies that aren’t always clearly communicated

  
  

While the program offers valuable funding, it may require patience when dealing with technical issues or navigating support.

4. Concerns Around Public Fund Use and Content Oversight

Some families have expressed ethical or political concerns about how public funds are being used through the PEP program. These include:

• Questions about using state money for religious or private curriculum materials

• Worries over the lack of vetting for certain vendors or platforms

• Debates around whether ESA programs pull resources away from public education

If you're considering PEP, it's worth thinking about how your values align with the broader structure and intent of the program.

Let’s compare PEP-funded homeschooling with traditional home education to further understand the differences between the two.

Comparison: PEP vs Traditional Home Education

Before deciding how to homeschool your child in Florida, it’s important to understand the difference between PEP-funded homeschooling and traditional home education. Both give you control over your child’s learning, but they come with very different legal steps, responsibilities, and access to services.

The table below highlights what changes depending on the path you choose:

Category	PEP Homeschooling	Traditional Home Education
Registration	Apply through a Scholarship Funding Organization (e.g., Step Up)	File a notice of intent with your local school district
Learning Plan	Must submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) annually	No formal plan required, but you must maintain a portfolio
Testing Requirement	An annual norm-referenced test is required	Annual evaluation by a certified teacher or a test is accepted
Funding	Up to ~$8,000/year in ESA funds	No state funding provided
Curriculum Freedom	Must use a curriculum approved for ESA use	Full freedom to choose any curriculum
Access to Services	Cannot access district sports, free FLVS, or local support	May retain access to some district services if opted in
Flexibility	Flexible, but tied to state reporting and expense limits	Full flexibility, no reporting to the funding authority
Documentation	SFO portal + receipts + test scores + compliance statement	Learning portfolio + evaluation letter
Support	Customer support through SFO; limited responsiveness reported	Self-directed or supported via private homeschool networks

The School House Anywhere (TSHA) works with both models. Families using PEP can include American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) in their Student Learning Plan, while homeschoolers can use it freely. TSHA offers a practical curriculum and support system that fits either path without extra admin work.

Final Thoughts

Florida’s PEP scholarship program opens the door for families to receive financial support while homeschooling, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you choose the funded route through PEP or stick with traditional home education, understanding the tradeoffs, legal steps, and long-term responsibilities is key to making the right decision for your child.

The School House Anywhere (TSHA) supports both options, offering structure, flexibility, and real-world learning tools for families navigating either path. You don’t need to figure it all out alone.

With TSHA, you get:

• The American Emergent Curriculum (AEC): A flexible, developmentally aligned curriculum for Pre-K to 6th grade students.

• Extensive Educational Resources: Films, printables, and samples to enhance learning.

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-use tools for parents and educators to seamlessly integrate curriculum into their practice.

• 24/7 Live Support: Round-the-clock assistance to help you at every step.

• Transparent Classroom: Tools for progress tracking and record-keeping.

• Community & Educator Support: Weekly live gatherings and Q&A sessions with experts.

  
  

Join The School House Anywhere and build an education that works for your real life. Start your journey today with our AEC curriculum, designed to empower your child and support you every step of the way.

FAQ

1. Can I get paid for homeschooling in Florida?

Yes, Florida offers funding programs like Step Up for Students and PEP that may provide financial assistance to homeschool families who meet specific eligibility criteria.

2. What are the eligibility requirements for Florida homeschooling payments?

Eligibility typically depends on factors like the student’s grade level, family income, and participation in state-approved programs like Step Up for Students or PEP.

3. How do I apply for homeschooling payments in Florida?

You can apply through programs like Step Up for Students or PEP by visiting their respective websites, completing necessary forms, and providing required documentation.

4. What is the Step Up for Students program?

Step Up for Students is a scholarship program that provides funding to eligible families for education-related expenses, including homeschooling costs, under Florida law.

5. Can I use homeschooling payments for anything?

Homeschooling payments can often be used for educational materials, tutoring, and other approved expenses, but each program has specific guidelines on allowable expenses.