How Do I Know If My Purchase Fits a PEP Category?
What is PEP, in plain terms
PEP stands for Florida's Personalized Education Program. Step Up For Students administers it. PEP publishes a purchasing guide that lists the categories of things families can buy with program funds. This page is a general orientation. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice.
Why "fitting a category" matters
Each purchase needs to line up with one of the categories in the published purchasing guide. If a purchase does not clearly fit a category, it may be denied or flagged for more review. Because the exact list of categories, dollar limits, and rules can change, always confirm the current guide directly with Step Up For Students before you buy or submit for reimbursement.
How to think through a purchase
- Write down, in one sentence, what the item or service is and how your student will use it.
- Compare that sentence to the category names and descriptions in the current purchasing guide.
- If it is unclear which category applies, or if it seems to fit more than one, ask the agency before buying.
- If you cannot find the purchase described anywhere in the guide, treat that as a sign to check with Step Up For Students first.
What documentation to keep
- The receipt or invoice showing what was purchased, the date, and the amount.
- Any description from the seller that shows what the item is (a product description, packing slip, or listing).
- A short note in your own words connecting the purchase to your student's education plan or the category it falls under.
- Keep these records even after a purchase is approved, in case the agency asks for them later.
Writing the reimbursement note
A clear reimbursement note usually does three things: names the item, states which purchasing category it fits, and explains briefly why your student needs it. Keep it short and factual. Do not guess at rules you are not sure about — write only what you know, and say "confirm with agency" for anything uncertain.
What we don't know
This guide does not list specific category names, dollar limits, deadlines, or statute numbers, because none were provided here. Rules like these change and must come from the official, current purchasing guide. Always confirm details directly with Step Up For Students before you buy or submit paperwork. This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.
What to do next
PEP Pilot is a free tool that reads your own purchase description or document and helps you check it against the published purchasing guide categories, note what documentation to keep, and draft a reimbursement note. It is not affiliated with Step Up For Students. Always confirm final decisions with the agency.