Last verified: October 2026. Checked against Step Up For Students' 2026-27 award tables, handbooks and purchasing guides.
Can a Lee County family pay for music: lessons and instruments with scholarship funds?
Music lessons fall under electives, and musical instruments and certain equipment are eligible FES-UA expenses.
Musical instruments, instrument rentals, certain equipment and related services are eligible.
Electives such as music lessons can come out of a balance left after tuition and fees.
Which rules apply in Lee County?
| Allowed, with conditions | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Lessons should come from a qualified instructor; ask whether they're an approved provider. | Items bought for anyone other than the scholarship student |
| Rentals and purchases need itemized receipts. |
How does this play out in Lee County?
Before booking lessons in Fort Myers or Cape Coral, ask the teacher whether they're set up as a provider so the account can pay them directly.
How do I pay for it?
Look in the program marketplace first, where listed items are pre-approved. Next, check whether the provider is approved for direct payment. Otherwise pay, keep an itemized receipt with your Florida address and file for reimbursement; anything not listed as eligible needs pre-authorization before you buy.
Rules summarize Step Up For Students' 2026-27 PEP Purchasing Guide and 2026-27 Private School Purchasing Guide (both revised September 16, 2026) and the FES-UA Purchasing Guide Step Up currently links (2025-26 edition, July 1, 2025). Your scholarship organization's current guide controls; ask before an unusual purchase. Summaries, not legal advice.