Step Up Can Be Scary… But We’ve Got Your Back

As Step Up enrollment season approaches, you can almost feel the nerves in the homeschool world. Questions start popping up, Facebook groups get busy, and suddenly everyone is wondering the same thing:

“Am I doing this right?”

If this is your first year applying for a Step Up for Students scholarship, take a deep breath. You are not alone—and you’ve come to the right place. At Ivory & Sage Homeschool, helping families navigate Step Up isn’t just something we do… it’s something we love to do.

Before we dive into the details (don’t worry—we’ll take it slow), let’s start with something exciting…

🎉 We’re a Direct Provider—Woohoo!

Yes, you read that right! Ivory & Sage Homeschool is a direct provider for Step Up For Students.

So what does that actually mean for you?

When you enroll your student in one of our classes, you don’t pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. Instead, your scholarship funds are used directly to cover your classes.

👉 Less stress. Less paperwork. More peace of mind.

If this is your first year using Step Up, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through exactly how that works later in this post (and personally, if you need us!).

Okay… Now for the “Scary” Stuff 👀

(Spoiler alert: it’s really not that scary.)

Step Up for Students is an incredible resource used by thousands of Florida families every year. Once you understand how it works, it becomes much more manageable—and even empowering.

Let’s start with the two scholarships most homeschool families ask about.

Step Up for Students – PEP Scholarship

The PEP Scholarship (Personalized Education Program) is by far the most commonly used option for homeschool families in Florida.

This scholarship was created specifically for students who are not enrolled full-time in a public or private school—which makes it a perfect fit for homeschoolers.

What Does PEP Cover?

PEP funds can be used for a wide range of educational needs, including:

1. Curriculum and instructional materials
2. Homeschool and co-op classes (like ours!)
3. Tutoring services
4. Testing and assessment fees
5. Educational subscriptions and programs
6. And so much more

In short: it’s designed to support your version of homeschooling.

Who Is Eligible?

1. Your child must be 5 years old by September 1st of the enrollment year
2. Florida residency is required

📌 Important tip:

If your child turns 5 after September 1st (for example, in December), you’ll need to wait until the next enrollment cycle. Summer birthdays? You’re good to go!

Step Up for Students – UA Scholarship

The UA Scholarship (Unique Abilities) is less common, but incredibly valuable for families who qualify.

This scholarship is designed to support students with unique learning needs and provides funding for both educational and therapeutic services.

What Does UA Cover?

UA funds can be used for things like:

1. Occupational therapy
2. Speech therapy
3. Sensory toys and furniture
4. Curriculum and educational materials
5. Homeschool classes, co-ops, or tuition
6. Specialized learning supports

Who Is Eligible?

1. Your student must be at least 3 years old
2. Your child must have a qualifying diagnosis, such as:
3. Autism Spectrum Disorder
4. Down Syndrome
5. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
6. Visual impairment
7. Intellectual disability
8. And other qualifying diagnoses

📄 Documentation is required.

You’ll need to submit official paperwork showing the diagnosis when applying.

Where Do I Start?

Great question—and this is where most families feel overwhelmed.

Step 1: Visit the Step Up for Students Website

Head to 👉 https://www.stepupforstudents.org/

Here you’ll find:

1. A breakdown of each scholarship
2. Eligibility requirements
3. Application timelines
4. Helpful FAQs

Take your time here. You don’t have to apply the moment you land on the page.

Step 2: Choose the Scholarship That Fits Your Family

Ask yourself:

1. Are we homeschooling full-time?
2. Does my child have unique learning or therapy needs?
3. Which scholarship aligns best with how we educate?

Still unsure? That’s where we come in. We’re always happy to talk things through with you.

📝 Step 3: Apply (We’ll Hold Your Hand!)

When applications open, you’ll:

1. Create a parent account
2. Add your student(s)
3. Select your scholarship type
4. Upload any required documents
5. Submit your application

Sounds like a lot—but we promise it’s doable. And if you get stuck? Message us. Text us. Email us. Ask us at class. We are always happy to help navigate this process.

💻 Step 4: Using Your Funds with Ivory & Sage

Once approved:

1. Your scholarship funds are deposited into your Step Up account. This usually happens in September. Don’t worry! We understand.
2. When enrolling in Ivory & Sage classes, you’ll select Step Up as your payment method
3. Funds are paid directly—no reimbursement stress

This is one of the reasons families love working with us!

We’re Here for More Than Just Classes

At Ivory & Sage Homeschool, we know this journey can feel overwhelming—especially the first year. That’s why we don’t just offer classes. We offer:

1. Guidance
2. Encouragement
3. Real-life experience
4. A supportive homeschool community

If Step Up feels confusing, intimidating, or just plain stressful—we’ve got your back every step of the way.

You’ve Got This, And We’ve Got You!

Step Up for Students can open doors to incredible opportunities for your homeschooler. With the right support and a little guidance, it becomes far less scary—and a whole lot more exciting.

And remember:

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

We’re here, cheering you on, ready to help, and excited to learn alongside your family.