Last verified: October 2026
Can an Orange County family pay for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment with scholarship funds?
Florida is generous on physical education: lessons, team fees, the student's own memberships, footwear and equipment for home.
Sports lessons, P.E. & equipment: which program pays?
The three programs handle this purchase in different ways.
| Status | How the rule reads | |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | Covered items include lessons, team fees, dance, the student's gym or class-pass membership, safety gear, sport-specific shoes, uniforms and P.E. equipment such as a bike, kayak or paddleboard. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Eligible | Same categories, and renting sports supplies is included. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Eligible from leftover funds after tuition | Payable from leftover funds, and an athletics fee also counts as an eligible school fee. |
What rules apply to sports lessons, p.e. & equipment purchases?
- P.E. equipment is limited to one purchase every two years.
- A sports camp can be filed as sports lessons.
- Adaptive exercise equipment and P.E. outside Florida need pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for sports lessons, p.e. & equipment?
- Motorized exercise equipment
- In-ground pools
- Bounce houses
- Tickets to sporting events
- The family's share of a family gym membership
How does this work in Orange County?
Swim lessons are the obvious Central Florida buy. Keep a receipt that shows instruction, not just access to a pool.
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 electives & enrichment?
- How much is the Orange County award?
- Which programs can my child use?
- Can funds pay for music lessons & instruments?
- Can funds pay for art, drama, foreign-language & other electives?
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.