FES-EO and FES-UA money moves in four quarterly installments. By law, the Florida Department of Education releases FES funds to the scholarship funding organizations no later than August 1, 20261, November 1, 20261, February 1, 20271, April 1, 20271 for renewing students. Each SFO then funds student accounts or pays schools on its own schedule, shown below with whose schedule it is.
When quarterly money reaches families and schools
The law says
FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs no later than each quarterly date (first-quarter funds for new students come a month after renewals1).
Step Up For Students says
Q1 funds (renewing students) arrive at Step Up For Students from FDOE (accounts funded within 14 days)2.
AAA Scholarship Foundation says
Publishes a payment calendar with School Commitment Form, parent verification and ACH dates for each payment3.
Sunshine State Kids Foundation says
Where the law and a scholarship organization's published practice differ, we show both and don't decide between them. Ask your scholarship organization how it applies to your child.
Quarter 1 (August–September 2026)
| Date | What happens | Programs | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 20261 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for renewing students — quarter 1 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| August 1, 20262 | Q1 funds (renewing students) arrive at Step Up For Students from FDOE (accounts funded within 14 days) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP | Step Up For Students |
| September 1, 20266 | AAA Scholarship Foundation PEP quarterly account funding — quarter 1 | PEP | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| September 1, 20267 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for new students — quarter 1 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| September 1, 20262 | Q1 funds (new or late-renewal students) arrive at Step Up For Students (accounts funded within 14 days) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP | Step Up For Students |
| September 9, 20263 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/FES-EO payment 1: ACH payment to school processed | FTC, FES-EO | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| September 16, 20268 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FES-UA payment 1: ACH payment to school processed | FES-UA | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
Quarter 2 (October–December 2026)
| Date | What happens | Programs | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 31, 20269 | Step Up For Students accrued-interest deposit to student accounts (Jul-Sep interest) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, NWSA | Step Up For Students |
| November 1, 20266 | AAA Scholarship Foundation PEP quarterly account funding — quarter 2 | PEP | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| November 1, 20267 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for new students — quarter 2 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| November 1, 20261 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for renewing students — quarter 2 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| November 1, 20262 | Q2 funds arrive at Step Up For Students (accounts funded within 14 days) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP | Step Up For Students |
| November 4, 20263 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/FES-EO payment 2: ACH payment to school processed | FTC, FES-EO | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| November 18, 20268 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FES-UA payment 2: ACH payment to school processed | FES-UA | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| December 15, 202610 | All 2026-27 transportation stipends distributed (GAA deadline) | Transportation Stipend | Florida law |
| December 15, 202611 | Step Up For Students: all 2026-27 transportation stipends disbursed | Transportation Stipend | Step Up For Students |
Quarter 3 (January–March 2027)
| Date | What happens | Programs | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 202712 | FES ESE evaluation grant payments to districts | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| January 20, 20273 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/FES-EO payment 3: ACH payment to school processed | FTC, FES-EO | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| January 31, 20279 | Step Up For Students accrued-interest deposit to student accounts (Oct-Dec interest) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, NWSA | Step Up For Students |
| February 1, 20276 | AAA Scholarship Foundation PEP quarterly account funding — quarter 3 | PEP | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| February 1, 20277 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for new students — quarter 3 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| February 1, 20271 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for renewing students — quarter 3 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| February 1, 20272 | Q3 funds arrive at Step Up For Students (accounts funded within 14 days) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP | Step Up For Students |
| February 17, 20278 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FES-UA payment 3: ACH payment to school processed | FES-UA | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
Quarter 4 (April–June 2027)
| Date | What happens | Programs | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 20276 | AAA Scholarship Foundation PEP quarterly account funding — quarter 4 | PEP | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| April 1, 20277 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for new students — quarter 4 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| April 1, 20271 | FDOE releases FES funds to SFOs for renewing students — quarter 4 (no later than) | FES-EO, FES-UA | Florida law |
| April 1, 20272 | Q4 funds arrive at Step Up For Students (accounts funded within 14 days) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP | Step Up For Students |
| April 21, 20278 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FES-UA payment 4: ACH payment to school processed | FES-UA | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| April 21, 20273 | AAA Scholarship Foundation FTC/FES-EO payment 4: ACH payment to school processed | FTC, FES-EO | AAA Scholarship Foundation |
| April 30, 20279 | Step Up For Students accrued-interest deposit to student accounts (Jan-Mar interest) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, NWSA | Step Up For Students |
After the school year
| Date | What happens | Programs | Stated by |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 31, 20279 | Step Up For Students accrued-interest deposit to student accounts (Apr-Jun interest) | FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, NWSA | Step Up For Students |
Late payment or a hold on your account? See account problems FAQ. Related: deadlines · payment timing FAQ · provider FAQ: getting paid
Sources
- s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) — The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program · s. 1002.394(12)(a)2.a., (12)(b)7.a. · as stated by Florida Statutes · verified on
- 2026-27 Scholarship Schedule (Last-Modified 2026-09-15) · p.5 Funding Distribution · as stated by Step Up For Students · verified on
- AAA Scholarship Foundation — Florida Parents – FTC & FES-EO Scholarships · 2026-2027 School Payment Schedule (updated 6/26/2026) · as stated by AAA Scholarship Foundation · verified on
- Florida SFO Application 2026-2027 — Sunshine State Kids Foundation, Inc. · §6.B · as stated by State Board of Education · verified on
- Sunshine State Kids Foundation — homepage · comparison table "How it is Managed" · as stated by Sunshine State Kids Foundation · verified on
- AAA Scholarship Foundation — Florida – Personalized Education Program (PEP) · FAQ "How often are PEP scholarship accounts funded?" · as stated by AAA Scholarship Foundation · verified on
- s. 1002.394, F.S. (2026) — The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program · s. 1002.394(12)(a)2.b., (12)(b)7.b. · as stated by Florida Statutes · verified on
- AAA Scholarship Foundation — Florida Disability-Based Scholarships – FES-UA · 2026-2027 School Payment Schedule (updated 6/26/2026) · as stated by AAA Scholarship Foundation · verified on
- SUFS 2026-27 Private School Family Handbook (web, 2026-09-16) · Accrued Interest · as stated by Step Up For Students · verified on
- Ch. 2026-232, Laws of Fla. (HB 5001-E) — General Appropriations Act FY 2026-27 · GAA Specific Appropriation 96 · as stated by Florida Statutes · verified on
- SUFS 2026-27 Transportation Stipend Family Handbook (web, 2026-07-23) · How To Get Your Scholarship Funds · as stated by Step Up For Students · verified on
- Ch. 2026-232, Laws of Fla. (HB 5001-E) — General Appropriations Act FY 2026-27 · GAA Specific Appropriation 109 proviso · as stated by Florida Statutes · verified on