If your child is not enrolled in a full-time private or public school, you may be able to use scholarship funds from Florida’s Personalized Education Program (PEP) to pay for private tutoring! At Knowledge Plus Tutoring, we accept these funds for specialized multi-sensory tutoring in reading, spelling, writing, math, study skills, executive functioning skills, and other academic skill areas. We can also provide Orton Gillingham tutoring to your child using their Personalized Education Program funds!
Who is eligible for PEP funds?
PEP scholarships are available to Florida residents in grades K-12 who are not enrolled in full-time private or public school. They need to turn five by September 1st of the school year they are enrolling in. While there are no income requirements, priority is given to families that have a lower household income, families renewing their child in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship or Family Empowerment Scholarship, and children who are in foster care or care out of their home.
How do I apply for the PEP scholarship?
To apply for this scholarship, you must submit a Student Learning Plan (a customized learning plan that guides your child’s instruction) to an SFO. An SFO, or Scholarship Funding Organization, is a non-profit organization that issues scholarships and determines your child’s eligibility for the Family Empowerment Scholarship and The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Programs. Your child will also need to take a Florida Department of Education approved national norm-referenced test and submit the results of this test to the SFO.
How many students can receive PEP funding each year?
For the 2025-26 school year, a maximum of 100,000 students can receive PEP funding. No more funds will be issued once this cap is reached. The program should grow by 40,000 students per year.
What can I use PEP funds for?
PEP funds can be used for a variety of educational items and services. These include instructional tuition and fees for private tutoring; materials; curriculum; tuition for eligible home education instruction program; contracted services provided by a public school or school district; fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced tests and assessments; virtual programs approved by the Florida DOE; feels for services provided by a Choice Navigator; tuition as a private pay student at a Florida Virtual School; schooling at an eligible postsecondary educational institution or approved apprenticeship program; and digital materials.
What are some of the requirements for receiving PEP funding?
In order to qualify for PEP funding, you must register with a Florida Department of Education approved SFO. Your child can’t be enrolled in a full-time public school, charter school, charter school, school for the deaf and blind, college prep academy, developmental research school, or juvenile justice school. Your child must have turned five by September 1 of the school year you want to enroll them in. You must also submit a sworn affidavit through the SFO. Additionally, you must submit a Student Learning Plan each year, and you child will need to take a state-approved national norm-referenced test each year which you will submit to your SFO before the scholarship can be renewed.
If your child needs specialized tutoring in reading, spelling, writing, math, executive functioning skills, or other skill areas, you may be able to use your PEP funds to pay for this tutoring. We specialize in helping children with specialized learning needs and would be happy to help your child!
