Switching between scholarship programs or scholarship funding organizations: windows, steps and limits. 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.
Can I switch from Step Up to AAA Scholarship Foundation?
Yes, by applying to AAA Scholarship Foundation as a "New" applicant in AAA Scholarship Foundation’s open windows: new FTC/FES-EO and FES-UA applications run through November 15, 2026, and PEP is closed.12 Funding comes from one SFO at a time; SUFS's handbook describes the steps for families moving to it: if unfunded at the other SFO, decline there first; if funded, apply, get eligibility confirmed, then ask the old SFO to transfer, which "may take several weeks."3 Sunshine State Kids also takes FES-EO and FES-UA applicants, but its site lists no 2026-27 deadlines.4
Does my PEP money transfer to AAA Scholarship Foundation (or back to Step Up)?
No. Both SFOs say FTC and PEP dollars don't transfer, because each SFO raises its own FTC funds.56 AAA Scholarship Foundation says prior PEP balances "may continue to be used" with the original SFO if the student gets a later scholarship elsewhere, and SUFS says unused funds from the old account stay spendable under the old program's rules.53
Does my FES-UA balance move with us if we change SFOs?
AAA Scholarship Foundation’s audited statements say FES-UA "allows students to transfer their scholarship accounts between eligible SFOs during the year," with unused interest moving with the funds.7 SUFS's handbook says unused FES funds from the old account stay spendable under the old program's rules, and transfers can take weeks.38 Confirm with both SFOs before you move.3
Can I switch from FES-EO to FES-UA this year?
At SUFS, yes, once per school year: the fall window is October 2–30, 2026, and it funds Q3 and Q4 only (about 50% of the year).910 Decline the current scholarship in EMA and apply for the new one; a student enrolled through EMA must be withdrawn from the school first.9 Students presented for Q1 can't switch until after Q2, requests are final, and total funding is capped at the new program's annual amount.911
How many times a year can I switch scholarships?
Once per school year at SUFS, "per Florida Department of Education policy," with two windows: before Q1 and October 2–30.912 One SUFS FAQ says "twice per year," meaning the two windows; the handbook's once-per-year rule governs.13
Can I switch to PEP now?
No. Switching into PEP had to be done by the PEP application deadline, April 30, 2026, so it is closed for 2026-27.911 AAA Scholarship Foundation’s PEP is also closed, and SSK doesn't offer PEP.514 SUFS tells Private School students who want PEP not to decline their current scholarship but to call.3
My PEP is pending review — can I switch to FES-UA?
Yes: decline PEP in EMA, then apply for FES-UA by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 30, 2026.15 The other option, a referral to AAA Scholarship Foundation, has closed: consent was due August 7 and acceptance September 30, 2026.516 Students who already had "Scholarship Choice Confirmed" could not be transferred.15
I’m in PEP — how do I switch to the private school scholarship?
At SUFS, take no action in EMA; call (877) 735-7837.9 Prior PEP students needed their norm-referenced test results in by May 31, 2026 to get FTC/FES-EO/FES-UA funding, and a deadline exception can't be used to switch.917
What does Sunshine State Kids offer? Is it legit?
Sunshine State Kids Foundation (Hollywood, FL) was approved by the State Board of Education on February 20, 2026 as an SFO for 2026-27 and is on FDOE's list.1819 Its site offers FES-EO and FES-UA through Odyssey and says "We do not currently offer the PEP program"; its FTC offering is unclear.414 Contact it at info@sskf.org or by web chat.20
Step Up vs AAA Scholarship Foundation vs Sunshine State Kids — which SFOs are there?
For 2026-27: Step Up For Students, AAA Scholarship Foundation and Sunshine State Kids; UF Lastinger is approved only for the free-books New Worlds Reading Initiative. They differ in platform (EMA, SMP, Odyssey), in how schools and providers are paid, and in which programs they offer, so compare each SFO's published rules.21224
Can I apply to Step Up and AAA Scholarship Foundation at the same time to see who funds first?
No. Applying with several SFOs at once means no funds at all, and state law bars applying for multiple scholarships for the same student at the same time.323 At SUFS a student can have only one active application; apply for another only after a denial or a decline.24
Can I decline the fall quarters and re-accept later in the year?
At SUFS, to decline Q1–Q2 and possibly re-accept for Q3–Q4, you had to decline by June 15 (renewals) or July 15 (new students).12 After a decline and re-acceptance, proration runs from the latest acceptance.25
More family questions
- Eligibility
- Amounts and balances
- Deadlines and payment timing
- What you can buy
- Using EMA, SMP and Odyssey
- Finding tutors, therapists and providers
- Private schools
- Account problems
- Federal tax-credit scholarships
See also: all Florida K-12 scholarship programs, award amounts and deadlines.
Sources
- Florida Parents – FTC & FES-EO Scholarships — AAA Scholarship Foundation · "2026-27 School Year" block, "Transferring from SUFS?", payment schedule, award values · verified on
- Florida Disability-Based Scholarships – FES-UA — AAA Scholarship Foundation · 2026-27 applications; transfer note; payment schedule · verified on
- 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · §Funding Transfers Between Scholarship Funding Organizations · verified on
- Sunshine State Kids Foundation homepage · "Which Scholarship Is Right…", "How It Works" · verified on
- Florida – Personalized Education Program (PEP) — AAA Scholarship Foundation · SUFS transfer message; FAQs; "2026-27 … (Closed)"; summary of process · verified on
- FAQ for PEP Survey — Step Up For Students · all Q&As; footer; translation notice · verified on
- AAA Scholarship Foundation – FL, LLC Annual SFO Renewal Application (FY ending 6/30/2027) (SBE supporting document) · Att. D (payment timing), E (county application counts), G (transfer documentation), H (no fees; deadlines), L (2024-25 funds), audited FS notes 12–13 · verified on
- SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · "Funding Transfers Between Scholarship Funding Organizations" · verified on
- Scholarship Program Switch Guide (Last-Modified 2026-10-07) · "What You Should Know"; "Key Dates"; "Switching by Current Scholarship Type" · verified on
- 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
- SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · "Switching Between Scholarship Programs" · verified on
- 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook · §Switching Between Scholarship Programs · verified on
- SUFS FAQ "FAQs for 2026–27 Scholarship Deadlines and Payment Schedules" (og:updated 2026-08-31) · all Q&As · verified on
- Frequently Asked Questions — Sunshine State Kids Foundation · "Our Scholarships", "Using Your Scholarship Funds", "Rules & Requirements" · verified on
- SUFS FAQ for PEP Survey (og:updated 2026-10-08) · all Q&As · verified on
- Welcome to AAA Scholarship Foundation (blog, July 25, 2026) · "What to Expect" steps 1–9 · verified on
- 2026-27 PEP Family Handbook · §Switching Between Scholarship Programs; Funding Transfers Among SFOs · verified on
- SBE Action Item: Approval of Sunshine State Kids Foundation, Inc. as SFO for 2026-2027 (Feb 20, 2026) · p.1 · verified on
- Scholarship Funding Organizations 2026-2027 · full page (read in browser; snapshot data/sources/other-sfos/page-snapshots/fdoe_sfo_list_2026-27.txt) · verified on
- Contact — Sunshine State Kids Foundation · full page · verified on
- New Worlds Scholarship Accounts — Step Up For Students · header notice; "New Worlds Reading: Still Available"; FAQs · verified on
- AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/PEP/FES-EO Purchasing Handbook 2026-2027 (rev. 2026-10-16) · pp. 3–7, 12–17 · verified on
- s. 1002.395, F.S. (2026) · (7)(a)–(c) and flush text · verified on
- SUFS FAQ "Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time for my child?" · full entry · verified on
- SUFS, 2026-2027 Private School Provider Handbook · "Scholarship Funding Proration" · verified on