Last verified: October 2026. Checked against Step Up For Students' 2026-27 award tables, handbooks and purchasing guides.
What happens on Nov 15, 2026?
Applications close for new 2026-27 students seeking the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) or the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA).
What happens on Dec 15, 2026?
A new 2026-27 Private School or FES-UA student must accept the award in EMA by today; the school's Quarter 3 enrollment, approved by the parent, is due the same day.
What happens on Jan 1, 2027?
The federal Scholarship Tax Credit starts. Governor DeSantis opted Florida in on January 28, 2026, and Step Up plans to run it through the Step Up, Step Further Scholarship Fund.
What happens on Jan 15, 2027?
Last call for 2026-27: a child with no EMA enrollment by this date won't be considered for this year's funding at all.
What happens on Feb 15, 2027?
Quarter 4 enrollment deadline, the one that applies to students transferring in mid-year.
What happens on Feb 1, 2027 (expected)?
The 2027-28 season should open, following the 2026-27 pattern of a February 1 start. Step Up had not posted 2027-28 dates when we checked.
What happens on Apr 30, 2027 (expected)?
Renewal deadline for all three programs and the new-PEP deadline, if 2027-28 repeats 2026-27. Confirm on Step Up's site before relying on it.
What happens on Jul 31, 2027?
Last day to submit reimbursement requests for purchases made with 2026-27 scholarship funds.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| Private School Scholarship: $8,001-$8,779, paid to a school | Not paid to parents, and not for computers |
| FES-UA: from $10,567, parent-directed | Not combinable with the standard award |
| PEP: county award for learning outside full-time school | Not a full-time online school or a computer budget |