Last verified: October 2026
What is the Personalized Education Program (PEP) in Broward County?
The Personalized Education Program (PEP) is Florida's homeschool education savings account, a state-funded account that pays for a child's curriculum, tutoring, classes and testing when the child learns outside a full-time school. Families spend it through MyScholarShop, direct payment to approved providers, or reimbursement.
Parents sometimes search for it as the homeschool voucher or homeschool ESA. It is not the same thing as registering a home education program with the Broward County Public Schools home education office.
How much does PEP pay a Broward student in 2026-27?
PEP pays the same county figures as the Private School Scholarship, which for Broward are $8,494 in grades K-3, $7,896 in grades 4-8 and $7,701 in grades 9-12. A student learning in Broward but registered in another county is funded at the rate of the county of residence on the application.
Funds cover the July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 school year; check the current Step Up handbook in EMA for the reimbursement deadline before buying late in the year.
What does a Broward PEP family have to do each year?
A PEP family submits a student learning plan, keeps the child out of full-time school and takes an annual norm-referenced assessment. The plan for 2026-27 was due May 31, 2026, because new PEP applicants apply from February 1 to April 30.
That timing means a family hearing about PEP in the fall generally prepares for the next application season rather than applying now.
Can a PEP student attend a Broward hybrid school?
Yes, provided the school is eligible and the child attends part time, which for a PEP hybrid means two or more full days in person each week. 30 Broward schools show the PEP participant flag in our directory.
Tuition at a two- or three-day program sits well below the full award at many campuses, which leaves room in the account for curriculum, tutoring and electives.
Can PEP money buy a laptop for a Broward student?
No. For 2026-27 PEP funds cannot buy computers, tablets, phones, printers or similar devices, a change from earlier years. A student who needs a device and has a qualifying diagnosis may be better matched to FES-UA, which still allows several digital items.
See the spending pages for the full list of categories and the rule for each program.
How is PEP in Broward different from registering as a homeschool family?
PEP is a state-funded account with reporting rules, while registering a home education program with the district brings no state money.
| PEP | A registered home education program | |
|---|---|---|
| Money from the state | Yes, an education savings account | No state money |
| Reporting | Learning plan and annual assessment | Notice of intent with the district; annual evaluation |
| Part-time private school allowed | Yes, hybrid campuses at two days a week or more | Not funded |
| Devices and laptops | Not allowed in 2026-27 | Family expense |