Can I buy a laptop or tablet with Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP?
With conditions. Per Step Up's FAQ, computers/devices are authorized for FES-UA with a 2-year purchase limit; not itemized in the authorized-use table.
What you can buy with Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP
16 kinds of expenses, each checked against the program's published rules as PencilGo read them on 2026-09-25. Pick one to see its vendors, or type an item to check it.
Is it covered by Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP?
Type what you want to buy, for example a product name, a class or a service. We check it against the program's published expense rules and show the rule.
- Try:
Every category, with the Florida rule
Covered: usually coveredDepends: covered with conditionsNot covered: usually not coveredNot stated: not stated by the program
- Covered
Private school tuition & fees
Tuition/fees for full-time or part-time private school, hybrid school, or home education program covered, but combos vary by scholarship..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Online school & virtual courses
Approved online/virtual provider tuition and private-pay Florida Virtual School are covered for FES-UA, FES-EO/FTC and PEP..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Curriculum, textbooks & workbooks
Curriculum and curriculum materials are authorized for all programs, incl. Direct Pay for NWSA..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Reading books & e-books
Books fall under the covered 'instructional materials' authorized-use category..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
School supplies & consumables
Covered under the same 'instructional materials' authorized-use line as curriculum; no separate supplies category listed..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Computers, tablets, software & internet
Per Step Up's FAQ, computers/devices are authorized for FES-UA with a 2-year purchase limit; not itemized in the authorized-use table..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Tutoring
Full-time private tutoring covered for FES-UA/PEP; part-time tutoring covered for FES-UA, FES-EO/FTC, PEP and NWSA (Direct Pay)..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Classes, co-ops & camps
Specialized summer/after-school education programs covered for FES-UA; reading/math-focused summer/after-school programs covered for NWSA..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not stated
Music, art & sports lessons
The authorized-use table lists music/art and horse therapy (FES-UA) but no general music/art/sports lessons category; not confirmed..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Educational therapies
ABA, speech, OT, PT, listening/spoken-language, psychotherapy/counseling, vision, horse, and music/art therapy covered for FES-UA only..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Testing, exams & evaluations
Standardized testing fees are authorized for FES-UA, FES-EO/FTC and PEP..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
College courses, dual enrollment & CTE
Dual enrollment is authorized for FES-UA, FES-EO/FTC and PEP..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
Transportation
Transportation does not appear as an authorized-use line in the 2025-26 Authorized Use of Scholarship Funds table..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
School uniforms
Uniforms do not appear as an authorized-use line in the 2025-26 Authorized Use of Scholarship Funds table..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not covered
Field trips, museums & educational travel
Field trips do not appear as an authorized-use line in the 2025-26 Authorized Use of Scholarship Funds table..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Not stated
Desks, instruments & learning equipment
General equipment (desks, instruments, lab gear) is not itemized in the authorized-use table; likely folds into instructional materials..
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25.
Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP explicitly excludes: Any use not listed in the Authorized Use of Scholarship Funds table (closed, positive list only).
Questions Florida families ask
Can I buy curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets with Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP?
Yes. Curriculum and curriculum materials are authorized for all programs, incl. Direct Pay for NWSA.
Does Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP pay for music, art or sports lessons?
Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP's published guidance does not state whether music, art and sports lessons are eligible. Ask the program before buying.
Does Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP pay for tutoring?
With conditions. Full-time private tutoring covered for FES-UA/PEP; part-time tutoring covered for FES-UA, FES-EO/FTC, PEP and NWSA (Direct Pay).
Next
Before using ESA funds. Provider approval or a marketplace listing does not approve every product or confirm that a funded purchase can be made. Check Family Empowerment Scholarships and PEP's current rules and payment route before buying; a direct card purchase does not guarantee reimbursement. This hub is educational information, not legal, tax or eligibility advice. PencilGo is independent of state agencies.