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 transportation, food & child care with scholarship funds?
Transportation costs, including gas, mileage and public transit, are prohibited.
Transportation, food and beverages, and nursery, daycare and before- or after-school care are prohibited.
Food fees and daycare fees are excluded from eligible school fees.
Which rules apply in Lee County?
| Allowed, with conditions | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Child care for income-eligible working families is a separate program, School Readiness, run in Lee by the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida. | Gas, mileage and bus passes |
| Meals | |
| Aftercare and daycare |
How does this play out in Lee County?
Lee is wide, and a Lehigh Acres to south Fort Myers commute adds up. Weigh schools in your own part of the county before committing to a drive the scholarship won't pay for.
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.