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Hi Nicole, I’m so glad you’re planning to homeschool! It’s been one of the best decisions for our family over the years. From what I’m hearing, the turn around time from PEP once you apply is about 3 weeks. As for online courses, their handbook makes it sound like they will need to be approved (pg 11) So I spoke with someone at PEP this afternoon to confirm, and yes she said you’ll want to fill out this online Pre-authorization Request form regarding the online course you want to use: app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6f3b72c1fe8e466bbfc59b8f3ebc9e22 She also said you could fill out this Educational Benefit Form to go with it: go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/Scholarship%20Info/SUFS%20Educational%20Benefit%20Form.pdf?_gl=1*1iqrr6z*_gcl_au*MTY4MDE1Mjc3LjE3MjMyMzM3MDQ.*_ga*NjgyMDQ0MDcuMTcyMzIzMzcwNA..*_ga_V4KBYBT1HD*MTcyMzIzMzcwNC4xLjEuMTcyMzIzNDIxMy42MC4wLjA. Hope this helps, and hope you have a wonderful homeschool year☺️🎉

Hi Brandon, great question. The form is a little misleading for families just starting out in homeschool, but yes. You’ll need to file the Homeschool Termination Letter they have online as this form also registers you as a PEP family in your district. In the reason section, put an x on the PEP line. You’ll want to keep a copy and also forward it to your representative in the department of education for your county in FL. I just attached a scanned copy by email to my representative and she was fine with that. Once you’re awarded, this form allows the funds to be available (starting in September I believe). Hope that helps! Have a great week ☺️

Glad to be of help! May the Lord bless you and your family on your homeschooling journey.

Glad the ideas were helpful! ☺️

Hello, yes PEP covers extra curricular activities such as sports lessons, sports equipment, team fees, gym/fitness memberships, and so on. You can find more detail on what the scholarship covers in the purchasing guide (link below). I’m getting this sports detail from page 4 go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/GUIDES/FTC%20FES-EO%20Purchasing%20Guide%202023-24.pdf?_gl=1*1fao261*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjIwMTkxOTEuQ2p3S0NBand6SUsxQmhBdUVpd0FIUW1VM3ZsZmZFcGdHdm1BR1hINTk0TjgzaDB6X2dCOWVtNWhCbmhZRWRtT1JHaDVPYUpkS0FhdDVob0NmRXNRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MzMwNjkzOTI4LjE3MjIwMTkxOTA.*_ga*MTA2MTc0NzU1Ni4xNzIyMDE5MTkx*_ga_V4KBYBT1HD*MTcyMjAyMTM2Ny4yLjAuMTcyMjAyMTM2Ny42MC4wLjA. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend.

Thank you so much for a quick response! Your videos have been such a blessing! I just subscribed to your channel! Have a blessed weekend! - Sophia

So glad the videos are helpful! Praise the Lord ☺️

Hi Angie, I’m glad the video helped! Praise the Lord ☺️ As far as the Bright Futures college scholarship goes, I spoke with the PEP folks about it today. They said because it is a Florida funded scholarship, you would need to pick one or the other. Meaning you could not apply and receive the PEP scholarship while also receiving the Bright Futures scholarship. Hope this helps. If you do decide to go with the PEP and forgo the Bright Futures scholarship, you can find a proctor or an administrator for the annual testing by going to the Florida Department of Education website and searching your county for a contact person. They should be able to give you a list in your area. Step Up for Students website has some online testing and further info you can look into. Also, Seton testing sells hard copies and also offers online options. This is where I usually purchase mine. I prefer pencil and paper for my younger ones. Just easier, but online does give faster results. Up to you. www.setontesting.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACn5vLizm6Bz2EQnSWMBsE9AnZu5a&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3mwZ2huurAbDlhyCyoJMzP1bu0U9y5XGE_2az85kxg2Q7Xife1i7TxoCs3EQAvD_BwE

@homeschoolingforhiskingdom8160 Thank you so much for your response! Rather than try to use the PEP scholarship and the Bright Futures scholarship simultaneously, I really meant can you use the BF scholarship for college after using the PEP scholarship for elementary, middle, high school. I believe the answer is yes. I did some further research yesterday, and it appears that PEP students are treated the same as homeschool students regarding the guidelines for the BF qualifications. I guess it's a bit confusing for me as to why we need to terminate our homeschool affidavit with the county. This seems scary to me. Is it a funding issue?

Oh I see what you mean. I’m not sure about college level as PEP is only for K-12, but the gal’s main concern when I spoke with her was for us not to use Florida funded scholarships with the PEP scholarship, simultaneously. Also, yes it was a little concerning for me at first to terminate our private affidavit for homeschool in order to file as a PEP family. However, once I did a little more research as to why, it didn’t seem to be an issue. From what I understand, it’s two fold. First they wanted to protect the private affidavit filing option in Florida by keeping that filing untouched by the PEP program. They didn’t want to blend the two filings. In the event we or other homeschool families do not enjoy being a PEP family, and if the scholarship funds and assessments testing do not fit our family, we have the option to always go back and refile as a private affidavit family and keep homeschooling here in Florida as usual (without the scholarship). The other reason is like you said, regarding funding. They wanted to keep the PEP families organized in one group. Once Step Up sees your family has filed as PEP, they are allowed to fund your kiddos (if you’ve been awarded). Back when I was deciding about changing over to PEP, I did ask if this changes anything regarding how I homeschool the kiddos or what curriculum (including Christian curriculum) that I purchase with the funds. The PEP folks said no, not at all. They aren’t going to tell me what curriculum to purchase or how to teach the kiddos. They do require the annual SLP (student learning plan) and the annual assessments, but those were the main changes. That is why I had peace to try it this year. To me it seems to be a huge blessing from the Lord. We’re looking forward to using the funds for Spanish classes, swim classes, piano lessons, etc… But definitely pray about it and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance for your family.

Hi Rachel, yes I would change the SPL to reflect what your true intentions are for homeschool this year for your little one. On page 10 of the Step Up parent/guardian handbook, they say a PEP student may not be enrolled full time at a private school, but may participate part time in one. For more details on what part time means to them, you can give them a call directly. 877.735.7837 Hope this helps!

Hello, what do you mean by documents exactly?

Hi Zuriel, from speaking with one of the PEP representatives this morning, she said they’re not allowing out of state, online classes to be funded by the scholarship. However, if you’d like to double check with them, pls do 877.735.7837

If we want the scholarship funding, my understanding is we have to un-file from whatever homeschool status we have filed in Florida (charter, private affidavit, etc…). Then re-file as a PEP family. Both are done with one letter that’s on their website. The “Home Education Termination Letter” I’m not sure if you’re using the out of state umbrella school to help you track days etc… but with the PEP, last I read, as part of PEP we no longer are required to count days. Hope this helps.

You’re welcome! So glad it helped ☺️

Hello, you may want to call and confirm, but my understanding is the PEP folks want all families who have been awarded the PEP scholarship to fill out the Termination Letter because in it, it re-registers (or in your case) registers you as a PEP family in the state of Florida. Their number is: 877.735.7837 Also as you’re just starting out, I made a Kindergarten Readiness video last year which may be helpful for you. Here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/vGx7QlGkkxo/v-deo.htmlsi=rz9WYgox0aE0jA5p Homeschooling to me has been so fulfilling and such a blessing from the Lord. I pray you enjoy the journey! 🥰

Thank you so much!! Many blessings to you!🥰

Hello, yes as far as I understand from speaking with the PEP folks, if we are applying for the PEP scholarship, we all have to register with them as PEP families to receiving funding. They have a letter of withdrawal on their website that removes us from whatever homeschool type we were formerly registered with in the state of Florida and also registers us as a PEP family. Here is a link to the letter from their website. go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/Scholarship%20Info/Home%20Education%20Letter%20of%20Termination.pdf You will need to send this letter to your FL county department of education representative. (I’d keep a copy for yourself as well).

Thank you so much!

Hi Emilia, So the 1st step is to apply for whichever FL scholarship fits your family. There are several different ones. If you are applying for the PEP scholarship, then you will enter your children’s grade levels for this coming year in the application. The 2nd thing you will need to do is withdraw yourself from your current form of homeschool with the withdrawal letter on the PEP website. That will also register you with the PEP program. The 3rd thing you will need to do is fill out the SLP (student learning plan) online through your dashboard on the PEP site. One SLP for each child. The 4th thing you will need to do is provide standardized or assessments testing in the spring of 2025 for each of your kiddos receiving the scholarship funding. As far as I know, once registered as a PEP family, there is no more requirement for a certified teacher or annual evaluations. The assessments testing takes the place of this as far as I know. However, I still plan to meet with my certified teacher because I really appreciate her feedback. I believe many local groups/ co-ops work with providing the assessments testing for homeschoolers. I just get mine online. Your FL county department of education representative should be able to provide you with a phone number or list of local certified teachers that can help provide the testing to your children in the spring. Hope this helps!

Hello, you can send me the file, and I’ll pray about it ☺️ MyGodWhoNeverFails@gmail.com

@@homeschoolingforhiskingdom8160 ok thx

Hello, so there are a couple options for using the scholarship funds: 1) You can choose what curriculum, products, lessons, etc… you want according to the purchasing guide - pay out of pocket, and then submit receipts for reimbursements. Or 2) You can purchase from the Step Up My Scholarship Shop so you’re not out of pocket. Here is the link to the scholarship shop: www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/myscholarshop/?Thrive_PerformanceMax&Google_Thrive_PerformanceMax&hsa_acc=8378114378&hsa_cam=19631182293&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoSMtSQud6Qh3yEBcFu-KvX7EBFvQ

Amen, all glory to Yahweh! 🎉❤️

Beautiful

Lovely. Thanks for this ministry. We also do homeschool, and also do home church. Grace and peace.

Thank you for the encouragement, and I’m so glad the information has helped your family! Praise the Lord 🥰

Thank you, all glory to God! 😊✨

Hi Jared, the Withdrawal Letter is enough. It’s one and the same. It withdraws you from whatever homeschool program your family was in, and registers you as a PEP family all at the same time. In the Withdrawal Letter to the district is a line marking the reason for the withdrawal. I marked an x on the PEP line. If you marked that line, then you’re all set. Just to be sure, I asked the FL DOE representative in our district and she said - yes that letter was all they needed to file us as a PEP family. The next thing you’ll need to do is fill out your Student Learning Plans for each child through the Step Up website. (When they tell you to).

My daughter will be starting kindergarten and using pep for the first time...Do I have to notify the district that she will be a homeschool pep student?

Hi Ruth, Yes I believe you will still need to use that letter to file as a PEP family in the state of Florida even if it’s your first year homeschooling. Pls feel free to double check with the PEP folks though. 877.735.7837 Hope this year goes smoothly for you ☺️ I have a Kindy readiness video I put together with my little one about a year ago if you’re interested (tips, prep ideas, etc just for Kindy) ua-cam.com/video/vGx7QlGkkxo/v-deo.htmlsi=vR9n51co5L1dL50d

@@homeschoolingforhiskingdom8160Thank you so much!

Hello 😊 From my understanding, the PEP scholarship is not allowed for students enrolled in private schools (see page 10 of the current handbook on their website - link below) go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/HANDBOOKS/Parent%20Handbooks/FTC-Parent-Handbook.pdf I’m not certain if this applies to online full time classes though. You may want to contact their office to discuss details about Miaprep specifically. 877.735.7837 (Step Up Number)

Congratulations on receiving the award! That’s wonderful. 😊 I’m not as familiar with the FES- UA scholarship, but with the PEP we are waiting to start purchases until July 1st. We will also submit our student learning plans to the step up organization as well as make sure our kiddos take the annual assessment testing. These requirements may be similar with the FES-UA, but pls call in to be sure. They should be able to give you lots of direction: 877.735.7837 (Step Up Number) The wait times have been upward of an hour, but they do pick up and are very kind and helpful.

We’re in Florida Unschoolers as well and my understanding is that we will need to unenroll and do nothing after that. Hope that helps!

Hi Nathaniel, so I just got off the phone with the Step up folks to be certain. She said you will have to withdraw from unschoolers or any other homeschool type/program you’re in (like we had to withdraw from being a private affidavit homeschool). Then register as a pep family within your district. They have a withdraw form you can use on their website site. After that, you continue to homeschool as usual. The only two new requirements are the annual student learning plan and the annual assessments testing. My understanding is they will guide us through emails and our dashboard when to submit both of these.

@paulamcdonell8240 Hi Paula, if I understand correctly the un-enroll you’re talking about is one and the same with the withdraw letter they have on their website. It un-enrolls you from whatever homeschool program you were in, and at the same time enrolls your family as a PEP family in order to receive funding. After that, my understanding is we homeschool as usual with the only new requirements being to submit our annual student learning plans and assessment tests.

Hi Claudia, once you’ve applied for the scholarship and have been awarded, then starting July 1st, you can start purchasing items, curriculum, sports lessons, and so on for your child that are allowed according to the Step Up Purchasing Guide. I go over some of this here: ua-cam.com/video/HBtTvJExzfc/v-deo.htmlsi=7g4WOvuxQRjZmSUx Or you can check out the Step Up for Students website and download the current purchasing guide here: go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/GUIDES/FTC%20FES-EO%20Purchasing%20Guide%202023-24.pdf The funding should come in quarterly throughout the school year. Based on your funding, you can then submit receipts/documentation for reimbursement from the Step Up program.

Hello, good question. I would wait until you are awarded the PEP before you reclassify your homeschool with the district. You should initially receive an email saying your child (or children) have been awarded a PEP scholarship (or an email saying they need more information, or one that says they are full for the year). However, if your family is awarded the PEP scholarship, at that point you can/should submit the Home Education Termination Letter (from their website) to your local FL district representative. This letter does not mean you are not homeschooling any longer, it simply reclassifies you as a PEP family in your district, and eligible to receive funds. Later, (when the PEP representatives) send an email telling us it’s time, we will fill out the SLP (the student learning plan) for each of our students. From speaking with Step Up/PEP representatives, actual first quarter funding should happen in the fall of 2024 (for 2024/2025 year). So, the long and short of it is no, you shouldn’t wait to be funded. You should wait to be awarded before you start changing anything. Hope this helps 😊

Hi Joanna, the requirements online say the assessments testing is annual. So if you have already received the pep from 23/24 year, then my understanding is you would also have to give your child the assessments test in May or June of 2024, so asap if you haven’t already. Pls call their office to confirm though as everything was new last year. 877.735.7837

You’re welcome! So glad it helped 😊

Hello, good question. Here is a link to the Home Education Districts in Florida. www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/other-school-choice-options/home-edu/district-home-edu-contacts.stml Once you locate your district, you can give the person a call and see if they have a certified teacher in your area or perhaps a list you can choose from. Or feel free to email me, and I can give you our certified teacher’s contact information. MyGodWhoNeverFails@gmail.com Welcome to Florida! Hope the transition is going smoothly 😊💜

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INFORMATION!!! PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU!😊

Amen! He always is!! And I’m so thankful the video helped. Praise the Lord 💜🎉

Hi! Good question. From what the gal told me at Step Up, you have to terminate your current homeschool program (whether a charter, private affidavit, etc…) and then file as a PEP homeschool student/family with your district in FL. The termination letter can be found on the Step Up For Students website. From my understanding, we will still be able to select curriculum ourselves, etc… but we will simply be labeled as part of the PEP program to the Department of Education in Florida. Your comment encouraged me to make another video with more detail, including how to find the termination/new registration letter. 😊 Hope it helps! ua-cam.com/video/cs5gydiSHNA/v-deo.htmlsi=PGtVQMJ-YmlFHbiK

That’s wonderful, praise the Lord! 😊🎉

Okay thank you, good to know.

Hi Meghan, it seems to be taking about 3-4 weeks, but could be different from family to family depending on what information was needed and submitted. They should communicate by email either way. Praying you are approved! 😊

Yes, from speaking with one of their representatives, awarded means your kids are approved. I believe the first quarter funding will drop between August 15th - September 15th. And you’ll want to wait to begin making purchases for reimbursement until July 1, 2024.

You’re welcome! Glad the video helped & Lord willing you’ll be approved quickly 😊

Hello, when I called the Step Up for Students phone line, the gal told me I could use the scholarship funding for summer camps. However, if you do not see summer camps on the list, I apologize. Maybe call in and double check. 877.735.7837

Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s very helpful 😊

Thank you for sharing! This is our first year and it’s pretty intimidating. We just got funded officially so I’m ready to start trying to purchase curriculum and such!

@@caitlinmenger8716 I think you mean you got awarded not funded. Awarded is being approved for funds. The money won't be in your account until sometime in August. You won't be reimbursed until well after the funds hit your account. It will be easier to shop through the online portal when money is in the account then waiting around for the reimbursements.

Valuable info! Thanks for sharing.

Hello, great question. As far as I understand from the handbook (page 9-10) we need to 1) Declare our student’s grade level, 2) Submit a learning plan for the year for each of our children (students), 3) Have each child take an annual state-approved test, 4) Register as a PEP homeschool. So if you are registered now as a private affidavit homeschool, you’d have to change your status to being recognized with the PEP program with the State of Florida. You can double check the details here: go.stepupforstudents.org/hubfs/HANDBOOKS/Parent%20Handbooks/FTC-Parent-Handbook.pdf

The Florida Dept of Ed website has a list of approved standardized tests. My kids did the SAT10 on paper at a school. There are many that can be done right at home with paper or online.

Yeah! Praise the Lord 😊 So I spoke with the gal that works for the scholarship application side, she said laptops are a gray area. I too and wanting to purchase a laptop this year for the kids, so I appreciate your question. She said we could submit a form explaining how we will use it for school purposes. Your question inspired me to make a follow up PEP video. In it I explain how to get this document. It’s in the Purchasing Guide, page 18. Have a great night!

@@homeschoolingforhiskingdom8160 thanks your video really helped

@@homeschoolingforhiskingdom8160 thank you so much your video really helped

You’re welcome, praise the Lord!

Olá eu sou Manuella atualmente moro na Flórida preciso muito entender esse processo de bolsa poderia me ajudar por favor?

Thank you, I double checked the audio from my end and it seems to be working. But I apologize if you were not able to hear it.

Sounds fine to me