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The holidays are here, meaning it’s time to think about what sorts of gifts you might give the kiddos. For our family, this is tricky. We want to give something exciting and memorable, but also can’t afford to waste precious space on bulky toys or items that won’t necessarily be used. On top of that, we have a very limited budget.
This is where the Florida Personalized Education Program (PEP) scholarship funds can come into play.
I love that this scholarship allows parents to purchase meaningful enriching gifts for their kiddos without spending a single cent of their own money. This makes amazing experience gifts and educational resources accessible to all Florida families, and those are exactly the kinds of gifts we like to give as RVers who have very little space to spare.
Not sure how to use your PEP dollar for holiday gifts? Here’s what I know.
What is PEP and How Does it Work?
PEP is an education savings account program created under Florida law. It provides scholarship funds families can use to pay for educational goods and services for their homeschooled students. Funds are administered by Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) — Step Up for Students is one of the largest — and purchases can be paid out either by direct pay from the SFO or by parental purchase followed by reimbursement.
Obviously, you’ll need to follow the purchasing rule. The SFO purchasing guide and handbook are the controlling documents for what you can buy and how to document it, and both should be checked before you begin your holiday shopping.
Rules to Remember
As mentioned above, you will want to check the purchasing guide before buying anything. That said, there are several general rules that you can keep in mind as you develop an idea of what you might want to use your PEP funds on this holiday season.
Educational Benefit Required
According to the purchasing guide, purchases must “support and advance student learning”. Keep in mind that some items may require extra documentation to show the educational benefit.
Pre-Authorization May be Required
Certain items and services (listed in the purchasing guide’s Appendix B) need pre-approval before purchase. Make sure you don’t buy those without permission or you might be out the cost.
Receipts and Student ID on the Invoice
Generally speaking, reimbursement requests must include proof of purchase and an invoice or receipt showing the student’s name. I recommend keeping originals and digital copies to be safe.
Frequency and Dollar Limits
Some items and categories of items can only be purchased once every two years without pre-authorization. Likewise, theme park admission has a per-student cap and frequency limits. Check the guide to ensure you don’t break frequency rules or dollar limits.
Prohibited Items Exist
There are a number of things you cannot purchase with PEP scholarship funds. These include things like sporting event tickets, TVs over 55”, and certain food fees. You’ll definitely want to make sure your gift is not on the prohibited list before you make any purchases.
The Best PEP-Eligible Holiday Gift Ideas
So what sorts of gifts can you buy with your PEP scholarship funds? Honestly, there are a huge number of options. In this guide, I’ll list some of my favorite ideas and why they are eligible, as well as anything you might need to know before you buy.
Instructional Materials and Curriculum
Okay, so my son might be the only kid in the world who would appreciate receiving a textbook for Christmas. That said, there are still things that fall into this category that could be exciting for a kid to open on Christmas morning.
Some items to consider include:
- Science experiment kits or lab supplies
- Art kits or supplies
- Learning subscriptions
- Learning apps
In all cases, make sure to hold onto invoices and descriptions of how they are furthering your child’s education.
Learning Manipulatives and Educational Toys
Believe it or not, some toys are also eligible to be purchased with the PEP scholarship. These are some of the most fun items for kids to receive, and I appreciate that they are educational as well.
Good examples include:
- STEM kits
- LEGO sets
- Robotics kits
- Science kits
- Board games that teach strategy, math, language, or logic
Again, make sure to hang onto those receipts as well as descriptions showing the educational value of any product purchased.
Musical Instruments and Instruction
I am a huge fan of music education and I believe all kids should have the opportunity to learn to create music, so I was thrilled to learn that musical instruments and instruction are also covered by the PEP scholarship.
Examples of included costs that can be covered by these funds include:
- Instruments (ukulele, keyboard, acoustic guitar, etc)
- Instrument repairs, and maintenance
- Private music lessons or group class fees
For instruments, hold onto your receipt. As far as lessons go, use invoices showing lesson dates and instructor credentials if requested.
Active Play Gifts
We’re all well aware of how important active play is for children. Fortunately, the folks in charge of the PEP scholarship also have this figured out, and the equipment and lessons needed to keep our kids active can be covered by scholarship funds.
Things you can purchase in this category are:
- Bicycles, skateboards, non-motorized watercraft, sports equipment (note: some larger items have frequency-of-purchase rules).
- Dance classes, swim lessons, martial arts enrollment
- Fitness accessories for growth/therapy (such as jump ropes, individual-size trampolines meant for exercise, safety equipment, etc). These are only allowed if age-appropriate and educationally justifiable.
In the case of equipment, be prepared to show receipts and explain how the equipment will be used. When it comes to lessons, be ready to provide invoices showing lesson dates. Instructor credentials may also be requested.
Field Trips
My personal favorite type of gift to give? Experience gifts! I guess it makes sense that as an RVer, I love experiencing new things and I especially appreciate that an experience gift is super exciting without taking up any space in our tiny home.
Ideas include:
- Museum admissions or memberships (check out reciprocal options)
- Aquarium admissions or memberships
- Zoo admissions or memberships
- Florida theme park admissions
Note that the PEP purchasing guide allows for a once yearly reimbursement per scholarship student for admission to a Florida theme park (single or multi-day or an annual pass) up to $299 (student-only cost). Keep in mind that special-event or after-hours tickets at parks may be prohibited and food/parking/souvenirs aren’t covered. Read and document carefully.
Technology
Technology is super helpful when it comes to homeschooling, so it makes perfect sense that it would be covered by the PEP scholarship. Better yet, technology is an exciting thing to receive for the holidays, meaning it just makes sense to purchase something in this category of approved items.
Some options include:
- Educational tablets
- Adaptive devices
- Educational software
- STEM-focused computers/peripherals
- In-home internet or hotspot services
Some high-cost items might require pre-approval, so be prepared for that.
Tutoring and Enrichment Classes
I mentioned a few types of classes and lessons in the music and PE sections above, but it should be noted that other types of tutoring and instruction are also covered.
Any of the following should be covered by the PEP scholarship:
- Certified tutors
- Elective providers
- Academic coaches
- Enrichment classes
These are reimbursable when providers meet eligibility requirements. Keep tutor credentials, invoices, and a brief plan that states the learning goals.
Documentation and Reimbursement
To make the post-holiday reimbursement process smooth, you’ll want to follow these steps for every purchase. From what I understand, failing to follow these steps could cause big problems.
- Confirm eligibility first. Check the purchasing guide (or contact your SFO) for the specific category and whether pre-authorization is required.
- Pre-authorize when needed. If the item is on Appendix B or requires pre-approval, submit a pre-authorization and keep the approval email/confirmation.
- Buy from an authorized vendor when required. Some reimbursements require purchases to be made from eligible vendors or directly from a provider.
- Get a clear invoice/receipt with the student’s name. The invoice should show purchaser, date, itemized cost, and the student’s name (especially for field trips and theme park tickets). If the seller won’t add the student’s name, request written support from the provider or an enrollment confirmation listing the student.
- Preserve proof of payment. For purchases on payment plans, reimbursements will only reflect the amount actually paid at the time of claim. Hold payment-plan records.
- Submit reimbursement promptly and separately when required. Some categories must be submitted as a standalone reimbursement request.
More Tips and Resources
Bundle Items
Bundle small eligible items and submit as one reimbursement.
Use Theme-Park Allowance Wisely
If you want a park day, plan it around the capped $299 student reimbursement. In many cases, it makes the most sense to purchase an annual pass with your PEP dollars.
Alternate Years for Large Purchases
For categories with a two-year frequency rule (like big PE equipment), plan the larger buy during the scholarship year it’s allowed. Otherwise, you’ll need to request pre-authorization for replacement.
Check the Program Year
The PEP purchasing guide uses the program school year (often July 1–June 30) to determine allowed frequency and the “one per student” rules (e.g., theme park). If you’re shopping in December, note which school year your receipts fall into.
Avoid Bundled Family Packages
If you buy a family pass to a museum or theme park, reimbursements are prorated only to the student’s cost — keep that in mind and ensure the student’s ticket is separately documented.
When Uncertain, Ask first
Contact your SFO (for example, Step Up for Students has a customer engagement line and live chat) before buying. That small step prevents denied reimbursements and larger compliance headaches.
Keep Digital Backups
Keep neat, labeled digital backups (scanned receipts, screenshots of order confirmations that show the student’s name).
Plan Experiential Gifts as Curriculum
For example, a trip to the aquarium can come with a short post-trip project (research the animals, write a short report, draw a habitat) — that makes the educational link explicit.
There you have it, everything you need to know to use your PEP scholarship funds to pay for holiday gifts. Get shopping now. Time is running out!
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Source: Amazing Holiday Gifts You Can Purchase With the Florida PEP Scholarship
