PEP is the scholarship that makes homeschooling, hybrid schools and microschools financially realistic. Instead of paying a school, Step Up loads an account the parent spends through MyScholarShop or reimbursement.
PEP uses the same Miami-Dade dollar amounts as the Private School Scholarship. Students must be at least five by September 1 and must file a student learning plan and take an annual norm-referenced test.
The 2026-27 program is capped at 140,000 students statewide; applications closed April 30, 2026. The 2027-28 window opens February 1, 2027 and closes April 30, 2027 — families who want PEP next year should get on the interest list now.
Many Miami-Dade church schools operate 2- or 3-day hybrid programs priced for PEP families. Those are listed in our Church-Run Schools section.
How to stack it
Personalized Education Program (PEP) can usually be combined with school-based tuition assistance and at least one other source on this site. Complete the funding check and an advisor will map the full stack for your child.