What Purchases Are Allowed Under Florida's PEP Guide?
What Is PEP?
PEP stands for Florida's Personalized Education Program. Families use PEP funds to pay for approved educational purchases. PEP Pilot is a free tool that helps you think through a purchase. PEP Pilot is not affiliated with Step Up For Students, the organization that administers PEP.
What Counts as an Allowed Purchase?
Step Up For Students publishes a purchasing guide with categories of allowed expenses. This guide page does not list those categories here, because the categories can change and we do not want to give you outdated or incorrect information.
- Always check the current, official purchasing guide before you buy anything.
- If you are not sure whether a purchase fits, contact Step Up For Students directly and ask before you spend the money.
- This is not legal or tax advice. Confirm every decision with the agency or a qualified professional.
What Documentation Should You Keep?
Good recordkeeping protects you if your purchase is ever reviewed.
- Keep the original receipt or invoice.
- Keep a short note of why the purchase supports your child's education.
- Keep any confirmation from Step Up For Students about whether the item is allowed.
- Save digital copies in case you lose the paper copy.
How to Write a Reimbursement Note
A clear note makes it easier for you, and for anyone reviewing your records, to understand the purchase later.
- State what you bought.
- State why it relates to your child's education plan.
- Include the date, amount, and vendor name.
- Attach the receipt.
Again, this is general guidance only. Confirm the exact format and requirements with Step Up For Students.
What This Tool Does — and Does Not — Do
PEP Pilot does not replace the official purchasing guide, and it does not make decisions for Step Up For Students. It is a tool to help you organize your own thinking about a purchase, based on the information you enter.
This is not legal or tax advice. Always confirm with Step Up For Students or a qualified professional before you rely on any answer.
What to Do Next
Describe your purchase in plain language. The free tool reads your own description and numbers, and helps you think through whether it fits typical PEP purchasing categories, what documentation to keep, and how to draft your reimbursement note. Then confirm with Step Up For Students before you spend the money.