Last verified: October 2026
Can a Broward family pay for summer & after-school programs with Florida scholarship money?
It depends on the program: Unique Abilities: conditional / pre-authorization; PEP: conditional / pre-authorization; Private School Scholarship: not eligible. Specialized summer and after-school programs can be paid for, while general camps need extra documentation.
What are the rules for summer & after-school programs in 2026-27?
These rules come from Step Up's 2026-27 purchasing guides and its September 16, 2026 summary of changes.
- Published fees must be given to the funding organization first, and proof of attendance is required.
- For students 16 and older, full- or half-day education programs are allowed with pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for summer & after-school programs?
The items below are excluded or need approval first.
- Camp lodging and meals
- Before- or after-school care
How do Broward families use summer & after-school programs?
Some Broward schools publish fee schedules for academic summer sessions so that FES-UA families can use accounts; ask for the schedule in writing.
How does a Broward family pay for summer & after-school programs?
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 summer & after-school programs, and which do not?
Each program treats summer & after-school programs differently, and the table gives the status for all three.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Conditional / pre-authorization | Summer and after-school programs built for specialized education qualify. A day or overnight educational camp requires prior approval, and an ordinary camp needs a letter from a therapist or doctor. Room and board are never reimbursed. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Conditional / pre-authorization | Educational camps with documented learning benefit; sports camps are filed under sports lessons without credentials. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not eligible | Before- and after-school care is a prohibited school fee. |
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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.