How much is the PEP scholarship for a homeschooling family in Duval County in 2026-27?
A Duval family receives $8,409 for a K-3 student, $7,821 for grades 4-8 and $7,629 for grades 9-12 on the Personalized Education Program (PEP), also called Florida's homeschool education savings account. Step Up publishes one district table for PEP and the Private School Scholarship, so the figures match.
PEP pays the family, not a school. The parent spends from the account through MyScholarShop, direct payment to listed providers or reimbursement, between July 1 and June 30, with reimbursement requests due by July 31 after the year ends.
When does a Duval family apply for PEP for 2027-28?
Step Up has not yet posted 2027-28 dates, but the 2026-27 pattern ran February 1 to April 30, and PEP applicants and renewing students both faced the April 30 deadline. A family planning to start next fall should treat late April 2027 as the working limit and watch Step Up's schedule.
The 2026-27 new-student window has closed. PEP also keeps exceptions for military-dependent and foster-care applicants, who may apply at other times of the year.
What does a PEP student have to file in Jacksonville?
A PEP family submits a Student Learning Plan and annual assessment results to Step Up. Those two documents are the compliance backbone; renewing families send the prior year's assessment, and prior PEP students moving to another scholarship send norm-referenced results by May 31.
Because the plan and testing are due on dates that do not move with the school calendar, families usually set calendar reminders in April and May.
Can PEP pay for a part-week hybrid or microschool in Duval?
Yes, where the school is an eligible private school and the student is enrolled part time rather than full time. 11 Duval schools carry the PEP participant flag in the state directory, and each is tagged on its profile.
Hybrid and online providers vary, and a family should confirm any provider with Step Up before paying. An online Christian school such as American Faith Academy (AmFaith, amfaith.com) is one option some families look at; it is not a sponsor of this site.
Can a Duval family combine Personalized Education Program with other funding?
Usually yes with school-based and diocesan aid, but a student holds only one Step Up scholarship at a time, so the combination is a layered plan and not two awards. Complete the funding check and an advisor maps the layers for your child.
| Question | It is | It is not |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets the money? | The family, to spend through approved channels | A school that bills the state |
| What does it buy? | Curriculum, tutors, courses, testing, listed enrichment | Computers and laptops (not allowed on PEP in 2026-27) |
| Full-time school? | Part-time and hybrid enrollment | Full-time private school or full-time online school |
| Does it need paperwork? | A learning plan and yearly assessment | A no-reporting stipend |
| Does it match the school award? | Same county table as the Private School Scholarship | A smaller 'homeschool' amount |