Last verified: October 2026
Can an Orange County family pay for summer & after-school programs with scholarship funds?
Specialized summer and after-school education programs qualify, while ordinary camps need supporting documents.
Summer & after-school programs: which program pays?
The three programs handle this purchase in different ways.
| Status | How the rule reads | |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Conditional / pre-authorization | Specialized summer and after-school education is covered. Overnight or day educational camps need pre-authorization, general camps need a letter from a doctor or therapist, and lodging and food are never covered. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Conditional / pre-authorization | Educational camps with a documented educational purpose qualify; sports camps are filed under sports lessons. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not eligible | Before- and after-school care is on the list of prohibited school fees. |
What rules apply to summer & after-school programs purchases?
- The SFO must receive the published fee schedule before funding, and proof of attendance is required.
- For students 16 and older, full-day or half-day education programs require pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for summer & after-school programs?
- Camp lodging and meals
- Before- or after-school care
How does this work in Orange County?
Certain Orange County church and private schools post fee schedules for academic summer programs, which lets FES-UA households pay from their accounts. Get the schedule in writing.
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 experiences?
- How much is the Orange County award?
- Which programs can my child use?
- Can funds pay for field trips, museums & florida theme parks?
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.