Updates · Choosing a program

FTC vs PEP: Which Florida Scholarship Fits Your Family?

Updated July 5, 2026 · Every figure below links to an official source · Independent guide, not affiliated with any SFO or agency

Florida's two most popular K-12 scholarships are funded the same way and applied for in the same portal — but they pay for two very different kinds of education. Here's the two-minute version.

The one-sentence difference

FTC/FES-EO pays a school. PEP pays for an education you assemble yourself.

Feature	FTC / FES-EO	PEP
Built for	Families choosing a participating private school	Families directing their own program (homeschool-style)
Money goes to	Tuition & fees first, then other approved uses	A flexible education account: curriculum, tutoring, materials, approved services
2026-27 amount	Same official schedule for both: $7,463–$12,217 by district & grade (average ≈ $8,000)
Paperwork rhythm	School confirms enrollment	Student Learning Plan updated at least annually + a nationally norm-referenced test each year
2026-27 status	New applications OPEN through Nov 15, 2026	CLOSED — at capacity (deadline was Apr 30, 2026)
Enrollment cap	No PEP-style cap	140,000 students in 2026-27; the cap provision sunsets July 1, 2027

Choose FTC/FES-EO if…

You already have a private school in mind (check that it participates).
You want the school to handle most of the administration.
You want a scholarship this school year — it's the only one still open for 2026-27.

Choose PEP if…

You want to homeschool with real funding behind it — curriculum, tutors, materials, enrichment.
You're comfortable writing a simple annual Student Learning Plan and doing one norm-referenced test a year.
You can wait for the next window: expected around February 1, 2027 for the 2027-28 year. PEP has filled to capacity each year, so plan to apply in the first days.

Deadline math for July 2026: private-school applications for 2026-27 are still open (through Nov 15, 2026). PEP is done for this year — set the reminder and be first in line in February.

Can I switch later?

Yes — families move between the private-school scholarship and PEP between school years. The eligibility base is the same (Florida resident, K-12 age, no income cap since 2023); what changes is how the award is spent and the annual paperwork.

Next: exactly how much the scholarship is worth in your county, and setting up your EMA account the right way.

Sources: Fla. Stat. §1002.395 & §1002.394 (flsenate.gov, 2025 ed.); Step Up For Students 2026-27 award schedule & application dates (stepupforstudents.org); FLDOE School Choice. Independent guide — verify current rules with official sources before deciding.