We are at the FPEA convention this weekend, and I was able to get clarification from our Step Up contact on a couple of questions I've been getting often.
1. About accessing remaining PEP funds after graduation:
Parents have been asking whether they need to complete a renewal application even if their student is graduating this year, in order to have access to the student's remaining funds after graduation. The answer for anyone in EMA (which is all PEP students) would be No. You do not need to complete a renewal. You will automatically still have access to use any remaining funds for qualifying expenses after graduation.
2. About when to unenroll/terminate from other schooling once awarded PEP
I got confirmation that as soon as a parent has received the email saying their student is awarded the PEP for the upcoming school year, it is safe to unenroll that student from whatever other schooling track they were previously in (public school, private school, home ed with the county). This year there is not the false award email like there was last year, because they streamlined the application process to where PEP was a checkbox on the application rather than a second step that had to be completed separately. So an award email that says you have been awarded PEP means you actually have been awarded PEP. The only reason those parents would not receive the funding is if they do not complete their SLP or if they are a renewal and they do not submit the required standardized test for renewal.
Update as of 6-28-24:
Step Up's PEP Open House for June confirmed that parents should terminate/withdraw when awarded PEP. Below is a screenshot from their Open House webinar slides, showing the answer to the question about whether termination from home education is necessary for PEP and when it should be done:
I hope this helps! I know these are both common questions we've been hearing a lot.
Also, I live under poverty level due to disability. I cannot purchase something in order to be reimbursed. The account needs to be able to preapproved then used as direct pay to company for items. And why aren't school uniforms on this list? If my kid attends private school 2 days per week, and the remainer at home, they would need uniforms.
When are the legislators liable to vote on amending pep scholarships to include computers? My kids need one for this school year. This makes zero sense to have not included computers bc of parents may sell them? Parents could sell anything purchased thru these fund. For example, there is a 3000 limit on musical instrument using pep. A parent could get higher resale value from selling a good musical instrument than a used computer. This has to be fixed. It was probably Matt Gaetz's idea to not include computers.
The new updated parent handbook has once again contradicted information Step Up had previously “confirmed”.
According to the new guide, if your child wishes to access rollover funds after leaving the program, you MUST complete an application, note intent to continue and provide some kind of unspecified documentation.
Thank you for this information. It’s our first year, so I’m not sure where to get the information how to unenroll from home Ed with the county? Thank you
I’m new to PEP this year and I received the email stating that I was awarded, however, it did not state anything about unenrolling with the county. It said not to complete the SLP and wait for another email for next steps. Is this new information on the Step Up website as to having to unenroll with the county once immediately awarded? Also, is funding guaranteed this year if you are awarded?
This is so fantastic to have these answered! Especially #2! I have so many people asking about the process, and I am thrilled to have an answer to this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!