Which Step Up Scholarship is best to help pay for your child’s music lessons?

If you're looking for a scholarship through Step Up For Students in Florida to help pay for music lessons, the best-fit option depends on your child's current enrollment status and educational needs. Here’s how to navigate the programs:

Best Step Up Scholarships for Music Lessons

1. Florida’s PEP Scholarship

Personalized Education Program (PEP)
Empowering Parents. Funding Education.

What Is It?

The PEP Scholarship is a flexible education savings account (ESA) for Florida families who want to personalize their child’s education outside of traditional public or private school.

Families receive funding (around $7,000–$8,000 per student) to spend on approved educational expenses.

Who Qualifies?

• Florida residents

• Students entering K–12

• Not enrolled full-time in any public, private, or charter school

• Must be at least age 5 by Sept. 1

Income is not required to qualify, but priority goes to low- to moderate-income families.

What Can Funds Be Used For?

• Curriculum & learning materials

• Private tutoring

• Part-time enrollment in schools (including Florida Virtual School)

• Educational assessments & testing

• Postsecondary or apprenticeship program costs

• Services from certified “Choice Navigators”

Technology (like laptops or tablets) is not covered.

Family Requirements

•  Submit a Student Learning Plan (SLP) each year

• Withdraw from any other school program before receiving funds

• Have student take a yearly norm-referenced test and submit result

2. Unique Abilities Scholarship

• Ideal for: Students (age 3–grade 12, or up to age 22) who have a qualifying diagnosis and receive support for therapies, tutoring, and more.

• Why it fits: This scholarship provides an Education Savings Account (ESA) averaging around $10,000, usable for private school tuition and a range of services—including music lessons, curriculum, therapy, tutoring, and technology.

• Recommendation: If your student qualifies medically or developmentally, this is the most flexible and generous option for covering music lesson expenses.

3. Private School Scholarship (FTC or FES‑EO)

• Ideal for: Any Florida K‑12 student eligible for public school, regardless of income, who enrolls in a private school.

• Why it fits: Scholarships average $8,000 and primarily cover tuition. Remaining funds—if any—can be used through the ESA for other educational needs such as instructional materials, tutoring, or perhaps lessons.

• Consideration: This works best if your music lessons are provided through the school or an ESA‑approved vendor such as Elite Music Instruction.

4. Hope Scholarship

• Ideal for: Students who have experienced bullying, harassment, or similar threats at school.

• Why it fits: This scholarship allows enrollment in FTC or FES‑EO scholarships outside of typical application timeframes, and unused funds may cover educational support (Such as tutoring or possibly music lessons if allowed).

Click the Step Up For Students logo below to learn more about getting started with Step Up For Students in Orlando Florida.

How to Find Elite Music Instruction on Step Up

If you're using a Step Up For Students scholarship (such as the Family Empowerment Scholarship – Unique Abilities), you can use your Education Savings Account (ESA) funds to pay for approved services like tutoring, therapy, and even music lessons—as long as the provider is a registered vendor in Step Up’s EMA system.

Here’s how to find Elite Music Instruction:

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Log into Your EMA Account
Visit the Step Up For Students website and log in to your EMA portal using your parent credentials.

2. Select Your Student’s Name
Once logged in, click on your child’s name to access their scholarship information.

3. Go to the “Marketplace” Section
From the menu, choose “Marketplace” or look for the “Find Providers” option.

4. Search for Elite Music Instruction
Use the search bar to enter:

• Elite Music Instruction

5. Review & Reserve Funds
Once you find the provider you want:

• Click on their name to view more details

• Click “Reserve Funds” to begin the payment process

• Complete the form with the service details and dates

• Submit your request for Step Up approval

Or use the direct pay option

• Contact a Music Education Advisor by phone or text to arrange your music lessons.

• Begin your music lessons with Elite Music Instruction.

• We will provide you an invoice specifically formatted for Step Up For Students, along with your teacher’s credentials for reimbursement approval.

The video below will guide on how to submit for Reimbursement with Step Up For Students

Call a Music Education Advisor today to be custom matched with one of Step Up For Students accredited music teachers. 

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