Last verified: October 2026
Can an Orange County family pay for dual enrollment & college credit with scholarship funds?
Tuition and fees at eligible Florida colleges, dual enrollment and approved pre-apprenticeship programs are payable.
Dual enrollment & college credit: which program pays?
The three programs handle this purchase in different ways.
| Status | How the rule reads | |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | Covers tuition and fees at an eligible postsecondary school, dual enrollment, and pre-apprenticeship for ages 16 and up. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Eligible | Covers postsecondary tuition, dual enrollment and pre-apprenticeship at listed institutions. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Eligible from leftover funds after tuition | Dual-enrollment fees that the school bills are an eligible fee. |
What rules apply to dual enrollment & college credit purchases?
- Courses that Florida's dual-enrollment cost statutes cover are excluded, because the state already pays for them.
- Pre-apprenticeship is open to students 16 and older.
What is not allowed for dual enrollment & college credit?
- Courses reimbursed under state dual-enrollment statutes
How does this work in Orange County?
Valencia College is the usual path in Orange County. A private school needs an articulation agreement with Valencia, and PEP students who live in Orange or Osceola County send a PEP agreement along with their award letter. Our Valencia dual-enrollment guide covers the GPA and date rules.
How do I buy it?
Begin in MyScholarShop, where every listed item already has approval. Next, search the EMA provider directory for tutors, therapists and instructors who can be paid directly. If neither works, buy the item, save an itemized receipt and file for reimbursement. Anything the guide does not name as eligible needs a pre-authorization request before purchase, and the 2026-27 window for those runs until May 28, 2027.
Related questions
- What else can the scholarship buy under high school & career?
- How much is the Orange County award?
- Which programs can my child use?
- Can funds pay for industry certifications & career training?
Build my child's spending plan →
Sources: the 2026-27 Step Up For Students purchasing guides for FES-UA, PEP and the Private School Scholarship. These are summaries and not legal advice; your scholarship funding organization's handbook governs.