Question 1

How much is the Step Up scholarship for 2026-27?

Accepted Answer

For FTC, FES-EO and PEP the 2026-27 amount depends on county and grade band, from $7,463 (Volusia, grades 9-12) to $12,217 (Monroe, K-3); the statewide medians are $8,743 (K-3), $8,140 (4-8) and $7,942 (9-12). FES-UA depends on matrix level: $9,627–$14,381 for Levels 1-3 or a diagnosis, $21,379–$25,701 for Level 4 (254) and $34,429–$39,091 for Level 5 (255). The amounts are set by the state budget, and the county is your county of residence on the application.

Question 2

How much is the Step Up scholarship in miami-dade for 2026-27?

Accepted Answer

In Miami-Dade the 2026-27 FTC/FES-EO/PEP amount is $8,745 for K-3, $8,140 for grades 4-8 and $7,942 for grades 9-12. FES-UA in Miami-Dade is $10,909 (ages 3-4 and K-3), $10,304 (4-8) and $10,106 (9-12) for Levels 1-3 or a diagnosis, $22,361 for Level 4 (254) and $35,884 for Level 5 (255). These are state amounts; AAA Scholarship Foundation publishes its own 2026-27 schedules from the same state budget figures.

Question 3

Broward county Step Up scholarship amount 2026-27?

Accepted Answer

Broward 2026-27 FTC/FES-EO/PEP: $8,494 (K-3), $7,896 (4-8), $7,701 (9-12). Broward FES-UA: $10,658 (ages 3-4 and K-3), $10,060 (4-8) and $9,865 (9-12) for Levels 1-3 or a diagnosis; $21,941 for Level 4 (254); $35,295 for Level 5 (255).

Question 4

How much is FES-UA in palm beach county?

Accepted Answer

Palm Beach FES-UA 2026-27: $11,054 (ages 3-4 and K-3), $10,452 (4-8) and $10,255 (9-12) for Levels 1-3 or a qualifying diagnosis, $22,439 for Level 4 (254) and $35,893 for Level 5 (255). Palm Beach FTC/FES-EO/PEP: $8,890 (K-3), $8,288 (4-8), $8,091 (9-12).

Question 5

Scholarship amounts for orange, hillsborough and Duval 2026-27?

Accepted Answer

FTC/FES-EO/PEP 2026-27 (K-3 / 4-8 / 9-12): Orange $8,420 / $7,831 / $7,639; Hillsborough $8,429 / $7,837 / $7,644; Duval $8,409 / $7,821 / $7,629. FES-UA Level 4 (254) / Level 5 (255): Orange $21,655 / $34,799; Hillsborough $21,739 / $34,958; Duval $21,649 / $34,797. All 67 counties are in SUFS's 2026-27 award PDFs, which also come in Spanish.

Question 6

What do matrix 251, 252, 253, 254, 255 mean for my FES-UA amount?

Accepted Answer

They are FDOE/SFO codes for the five matrix-of-services levels: 251–253 are Levels I–III and 254/255 are Levels IV/V. Levels I–III, and students with a qualifying diagnosis but no matrix, are paid the same district amount; Levels IV and V are paid much more. SUFS can't set matrix levels: your school district completes the matrix (within 30 days of a request) and reports it to you and FDOE.

Question 7

How much is PEP worth?

Accepted Answer

At SUFS, PEP uses the same county and grade table as FTC and FES-EO (for example $8,745 for K-3 in Miami-Dade), and SUFS describes it as "approximately $8,000." PEP is paid in four equal quarterly amounts once the student learning plan is submitted. PEP is closed to new 2026-27 students at SUFS and AAA Scholarship Foundation.

Question 8

My scholarship amount in EMA doesn't match what was deposited, why?

Accepted Answer

EMA's "scholarship amount" is an annual estimate; "current funds available" is what was actually deposited for each quarter. Money arrives quarterly, and if your private school bills through EMA, SUFS commits tuition and fees first. If a deposit looks wrong, don't spend it: SUFS recovers errors, possibly by reducing future deposits.

Question 9

Does the amount change if my kid moves up a grade or we move to another county?

Accepted Answer

No. The amount is fixed from the grade and county "at the time the student is submitted for funding consideration for the first time in the school year," and later changes don't change it. SUFS uses the grade the parent entered on the application, not the grade the school enrolls. The county is your county of residence on the 2026-27 application.

Question 10

What if private school tuition costs more than the scholarship?

Accepted Answer

You pay the difference to the school directly, or with rollover funds from earlier years. Schools may charge more than the award and may give their own aid, but they must charge scholarship and non-scholarship students the same published rates. By law the parent is responsible for any cost above the scholarship.

Question 11

Do I have to pay taxes on scholarship money?

Accepted Answer

Florida law says FES, FTC, New Worlds and transportation stipend money is not taxable income. Federal tax treatment is not set by state law; SUFS says the transportation stipend is not taxable income.

Question 12

Is there a limit on how much money can build up in the account?

Accepted Answer

Unspent money rolls over, but no new deposit goes into an account whose balance is over $24,000 (FTC, FES-EO, PEP) or $50,000 (FES-UA). These are deposit stops, not limits on what the account can hold. SUFS checks balances before each quarter: Nov 15, 2026, Feb 15, 2027 and Apr 15, 2027.

Question 13

Does my scholarship account earn interest?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By law each account keeps its own accrued interest. SUFS posts interest on Oct 31, Jan 31, Apr 30 and Jul 31 for the preceding quarter. When FES-UA funds move between SFOs, unused interest moves with them, per AAA Scholarship Foundation’s audited statements.

Question 14

How much is the transportation stipend and when do we get it?

Accepted Answer

$750 per eligible household for 2026-27, however many children qualify. SUFS mails it as a check to the guardian's EMA mailing address (no P.O. boxes), and all 2026-27 stipends are to be disbursed by December 15, 2026. You don't itemize how you spend it, and you pay any costs above $750.

Florida K-12 scholarship FAQ: amounts and balances