Last verified: October 2026
Can a Broward family pay for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment with Florida scholarship money?
It depends on the program: Unique Abilities: eligible; PEP: eligible; Private School Scholarship: eligible from leftover funds after tuition. Physical education is treated generously: lessons, team fees, a student's gym membership, sport shoes and home exercise equipment all qualify.
What are the rules for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment in 2026-27?
These rules come from Step Up's 2026-27 purchasing guides and its September 16, 2026 summary of changes.
- P.E. equipment is limited to once every two years.
- A sports-focused camp can be filed as sports lessons with no provider credential needed in 2026-27.
- Adaptive exercise equipment and P.E. activities outside Florida need pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment?
The items below are excluded or need approval first.
- Motorized exercise equipment
- In-ground pools
- Bounce houses
- Tickets to sporting events
- The unprorated part of a family gym membership
How do Broward families use sports lessons, p.e. & equipment?
Swim lessons are a natural Broward purchase; keep the receipt that itemizes instruction rather than a general membership.
How does a Broward family pay for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment?
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 sports lessons, p.e. & equipment, and which do not?
Each program treats sports lessons, p.e. & equipment differently, and the table gives the status for all three.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | Lessons, team fees, dance, a student's gym or class pass, safety gear, sport shoes, uniforms and equipment, and home P.E. equipment such as a stationary bike, treadmill, playset, bicycle or kayak. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Eligible | Same; sports supply rentals are eligible and the frequency limit on sports supplies was dropped for 2026-27. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Eligible from leftover funds after tuition | Payable from leftover money, and athletic fees also count as an allowed school fee. |
Related questions
- Can a Broward family pay for music lessons & instruments with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for art, drama, foreign-language & other electives with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for coding, stem & robotics with scholarship money?
- How much is the Broward award by grade?
- What can PEP and FES-UA pay for overall?
Build my child's spending plan →
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.