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Questions and answers

Florida K-12 scholarship FAQ: deadlines and payment timing

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Application and renewal deadlines, payment schedules and when money arrives. Each answer names the programs and scholarship organizations it applies to and links to the statute, State Board item or SFO handbook it comes from. Questions are written the way families search for them.

We are not your scholarship organization and can't see your account. For decisions about your child’s scholarship, contact your SFO: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation or Sunshine State Kids Foundation.

Is it too late to apply for the Step Up scholarship for 2026-27?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation

Not yet for the private school scholarships (FTC/FES-EO) or FES-UA: SUFS and AAA Scholarship Foundation both accept new applications through November 15, 2026 (AAA Scholarship Foundation: 11:59 p.m.).1234 SSK's site lists no 2026-27 deadlines as of Oct 19, 2026; the statutory window for new FES applications runs through November 15.56 PEP closed April 30, 2026.78

Whats the deadline to apply for the unique abilities scholarship 2026?

Programs: FES-UA · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation

New FES-UA applications are open through November 15, 2026 at SUFS and AAA Scholarship Foundation, and you must accept by December 15, 2026 to get any 2026-27 funding.249 SUFS says applications "may close early if the program reaches capacity."10 The renewal window (Feb 1–Apr 30, 2026) has closed, and late renewals are treated as new.211

When do I have to accept my scholarship?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation

At SUFS, new Private School (FTC/FES-EO) and FES-UA students must accept by December 15, 2026; renewals had to accept by May 31, 2026.121 At AAA Scholarship Foundation, a new FTC/FES-EO award must be accepted within 4 weeks of the award date or it expires (AAA Scholarship Foundation notes this may change), and new FES-UA by December 15, 2026.34 By statute, new FES students confirm acceptance by December 15.13

When do applications open for 2027-28?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation

Not published as of Oct 19, 2026; SUFS has only a "Register for 2027-28 Scholarship Updates" interest list.14 For 2026-27, windows opened February 1, 2026, and the law sets renewal windows of February 1–April 30 and new FES windows that open no earlier than February 1.

How do I make sure my child counts as a renewal next year?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation

SUFS defines a renewing student as one "funded for Quarter 4 for the same scholarship" whose scholarship wasn't revoked.11 Missing a renewal deadline (apply by April 30, accept by May 31) turns the student into a new applicant.116 AAA Scholarship Foundation also processes late renewals as new, and requires renewing private-school applicants to submit proof of enrollment on school letterhead.315 Renewal status after changing SFOs differs by SFO (see Switching programs & SFOs).16

Last day to enroll my kid in a private school and still get funded this year?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO · SFOs: Step Up For Students

At SUFS, a Private School Scholarship student must be eligible, accepted and enrolled in EMA by January 15, 2027 to get any 2026-27 funding.117 Enrollment completed by December 15, 2026 is funded from the February 1, 2027 deposit; February 15, 2027 is the last enrollment deadline (transfer students, April 1 funding).11 By statute an SFO may not submit a new FES student for funding after February 1.18

When are scholarship payments deposited in 2026-27?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation

The state releases FES money to SFOs by August 1 (renewals) or September 1 (new students), then November 1, February 1 and April 1.19 SUFS credits student accounts up to 2 weeks after it receives the funds.20 AAA Scholarship Foundation funds PEP accounts September 1, November 1, February 1 and April 1 ("subject to change"), and SSK describes quarterly funding in September, November, February and April.821 Payments are quarterly; a 2026 proposal for monthly payments did not pass.22

When is the deadline to submit reimbursments for 2026-27?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, Sunshine State Kids Foundation (AAA Scholarship Foundation not found)

At SUFS, purchases must be made between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 and submitted by July 31, 2027.2023 One Private School handbook sentence says "May 28, 2027" (that is the pre-authorization deadline), and an older Help Center answer says October 31; the schedule's July 31, 2027 governs.2425 SSK says claims are due July 31; we did not find AAA Scholarship Foundation’s 2026-27 reimbursement deadline.26

Whats the deadline for pre-authorization requests?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation

SUFS: May 28, 2027, and allow up to 60 days for review.27 AAA Scholarship Foundation (PEP/FTC): email 2026-27 requests by March 31; approvals expire after 90 days.2829 SSK: May 29.26

When is proof of public school withdrawal due for the january (Q3) payment?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP · SFOs: Step Up For Students

For Q3, SUFS needs proof that the student was withdrawn on or before December 31, 2026, uploaded by December 9, 2026.3031 It applies to new students in grade 1 or above first funded in Q3, students on a crosscheck report, and anyone who answered "Yes" on the attestation.30 Missing it means the student isn't presented for that quarter's funding.32

When does AAA Scholarship Foundation pay private schools in 2026-27?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA · SFOs: AAA Scholarship Foundation

AAA Scholarship Foundation pays schools by ACH on fixed dates after the school and parent complete the Verification Report: FTC/FES-EO on Sep 9 and Nov 4, 2026 and Jan 20 and Apr 21, 2027; FES-UA on Sep 16 and Nov 18, 2026 and Feb 17 and Apr 21, 2027.34 For the January FTC/FES-EO payment, the SCF deadline is January 4, 2027 and the VR deadline January 14, 2027.3

How long can money sit in the account before it gets closed?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, NWSA · SFOs: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation

An account closes after two consecutive fiscal years (July 1–June 30) with no spending, and the money reverts; New Worlds accounts close after one.3334 SUFS advises families at risk of being labeled a "nonspender" to finish reimbursements or MyScholarShop orders well before June 30 so the spending posts in time.20 For FES-UA, Florida Prepaid or 529 contributions count as activity.35

How long does it take to hear back after I apply?

Programs: FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA · SFOs: AAA Scholarship Foundation, Sunshine State Kids Foundation (Step Up For Students not found)

AAA Scholarship Foundation says initial processing "may take up to 10-12 weeks after submission" at its busiest times, and SSK says most applications are decided "within a few weeks."3637 We did not find a published SUFS processing time as of Oct 19, 2026. Either way, apply early: SUFS's January 15, 2027 enrollment cutoff still applies.1

More family questions

See also: all Florida K-12 scholarship programs, award amounts and deadlines.

Sources

  1. 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · §Applying For A Scholarship › Timeline; Application Deadlines; How to Accept the Scholarship › Timeline · verified on
  2. 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · §Applying for a Scholarship › Timeline; Proof of Age; How to Accept › Timeline; Application Type Definitions; Funding Prioritization · verified on
  3. Florida Parents – FTC & FES-EO Scholarships — AAA Scholarship Foundation · "2026-27 School Year" block, "Transferring from SUFS?", payment schedule, award values · verified on
  4. Florida Disability-Based Scholarships – FES-UA — AAA Scholarship Foundation · 2026-27 applications; transfer note; payment schedule · verified on
  5. Sunshine State Kids Foundation homepage · "Which Scholarship Is Right…", "How It Works" · verified on
  6. s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) · (11)(a)–(d) · verified on
  7. SUFS PEP page (Discover; modified 2026-07-29) · hero banner; "Are We Eligible?" · verified on
  8. Florida – Personalized Education Program (PEP) — AAA Scholarship Foundation · SUFS transfer message; FAQs; "2026-27 … (Closed)"; summary of process · verified on
  9. 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · §Receiving Your Scholarship Funds; How Scholarship Funding Is Determined; Matrix Level of Services; Former Gardiner & McKay Scholarship Recipients; Scholarship Funding Schedule · verified on
  10. SUFS Unique Abilities › Apply (modified 2026-07-29) · "Scholarship Application Deadlines"; capacity exceptions · verified on
  11. 2026-27 Scholarship Schedule (Last-Modified 2026-09-15) · pp.1–7 (Application/Acceptance Deadlines p.2; Switching p.3; Program Requirements pp.3–4; Withdrawal p.5; Funding Distribution, Balance, Attestation pp.5–6; Spending/Inactive p.6–7) · verified on
  12. SUFS FAQ "FAQs for 2026–27 Scholarship Deadlines and Payment Schedules" (og:updated 2026-08-31) · all Q&As · verified on
  13. s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) · (10)(a)–(d) · verified on
  14. SUFS "Register for 2027-28 Scholarship Updates" · program status lists · verified on
  15. Florida Schools — AAA Scholarship Foundation · SUFS message; Proof of Enrollment; SCF/VR; payment schedules · verified on
  16. FAQ for PEP Survey — Step Up For Students · all Q&As; footer; translation notice · verified on
  17. SUFS, 2026-2027 Private School Provider Handbook · "Scholarship Funding Proration" · verified on
  18. s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) · (12)(c)–(d) · verified on
  19. s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) · (12)(a)1.–4. · verified on
  20. SUFS 2026-27 Scholarship Schedule — Private School, Unique Abilities, PEP (PDF, 7 pp.) · sections "Funding Distribution," "Student Account Balance," "Spending and Payment Deadlines," "Switching Programs," "EMA Enrollment" · verified on
  21. Florida SFO Application 2026-2027, Sunshine State Kids Foundation, Inc. (SBE supporting document) · §§1–2, 5.E (Fees), 6.A–F (Funding, Direct Pay, Reimbursement) · verified on
  22. Florida Senate bill pages: CS/SB 318 (2026), SB 1318 (2026), SB 690 (2026) · Last Action · verified on
  23. SUFS 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · "Reimbursement Timeline" (submit by July 31, 2027) · verified on
  24. SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · "Reimbursement Timeline" (text says "by May 28, 2027"; table says Jul 31, 2027); "Eligible Reimbursements Before Scholarship Year Begins"; "…For Advance Services" · verified on
  25. SUFS Help Center, "Have questions about reimbursement request timelines?" · answer text ("no later than October 31") · verified on
  26. SSK Florida Scholarship Purchasing Handbook 2026-2027 (effective July 1, 2026) · §§1.4, 3, 4.1–4.6, 5.1–5.3 · verified on
  27. SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · "Pre-Authorization Requests" · verified on
  28. AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/PEP/FES-EO Purchasing Handbook 2026-2027 (rev. 2026-10-16) · pp. 3–7, 12–17 · verified on
  29. PEP/FTC Optional Pre-Authorization Form (rev. 2026-10-16) · p.1 · verified on
  30. 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · §Public School Attendance Attestation and Withdrawal Deadlines (updated 9/16/2026) · verified on
  31. SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · "Public School Attendance Attestation and Withdrawal Deadlines" · verified on
  32. SUFS Help Center, "Do you have questions about withdrawing your student from public school?" · answer text (Sep 15/22, 2026; contains "September 15, 2025" typo) · verified on
  33. Florida Statutes (2026) s. 1002.394 · subsection (5)(a)1–2 and (5)(b)1–3 (term of scholarship, account closure, reimbursements continue) · verified on
  34. Florida Statutes (2026) s. 1002.411 New Worlds Scholarship Accounts · (2)(a)1–5, (5)(f) (direct purchases; qualifying expenditures; 1 fiscal year inactivity closure) · verified on
  35. SUFS 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · "Remaining Funds After Eligibility Ends" · verified on
  36. A Parent's Guide to Applying with AAA Scholarship Foundation · "After You Apply" · verified on
  37. Frequently Asked Questions — Sunshine State Kids Foundation · "Our Scholarships", "Using Your Scholarship Funds", "Rules & Requirements" · verified on