Last verified: October 2026
Can a Broward family pay for museums, field trips and florida theme parks with Florida scholarship money?
It depends on the program: Unique Abilities: eligible; PEP: eligible; Private School Scholarship: eligible from leftover funds after tuition. Student admission to museums, zoos, aquariums, parks and ticketed performances is eligible, as is one Florida theme park visit per year.
What are the rules for museums, field trips and florida theme parks in 2026-27?
These rules come from Step Up's 2026-27 purchasing guides and its September 16, 2026 summary of changes.
- Only the student's own ticket counts, and family packages are prorated.
- Buy tickets from the venue or an authorized seller, since resale tickets will not be reimbursed.
- Field trips outside Florida need pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for museums, field trips and florida theme parks?
The items below are excluded or need approval first.
- Parking, food, souvenirs, photos and premium access
- Water parks and unlisted theme parks
- Concerts
How do Broward families use museums, field trips and florida theme parks?
The Museum of Discovery and Science in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the kind of museum admission the guides describe; keep the student-priced receipt, and check that any venue you plan to visit fits a listed category.
How does a Broward family pay for museums, field trips and florida theme parks?
Begin with MyScholarShop, where listed items need no further approval, and next try Find Providers in EMA so tutors, therapists and instructors are paid directly. If neither works, pay by card, save the itemized receipt and ask for reimbursement. Something the guides leave out must be approved before you buy it, and requests for 2026-27 approval stop on May 28, 2027.
Which programs allow museums, field trips and florida theme parks, and which do not?
Each program treats museums, field trips and florida theme parks differently, and the table gives the status for all three.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | A student's admission to cultural facilities, zoos and aquariums, memberships (prorated), museums, state and national parks, plays, musicals and orchestral performances, single leisure events under $75, and listed Florida theme parks. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Eligible | The list is identical, and a Florida theme park claim is limited to one per student each school year, up to $299 before tax, filed separately with proof of payment. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Eligible from leftover funds after tuition | A school's field-trip fee is an eligible fee; other admissions are paid from leftover funds. |
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Based on the FES-UA Purchasing Guide (FCSUA and Step Up For Students) and the PEP Purchasing Guide for 2026-27, plus Step Up's "Program Handbooks and Purchasing Guides: Summary of Changes" dated September 16, 2026. Treat this as a plain-language summary and not legal advice, since the handbook of your funding organization governs.