Last verified: October 2026
Can an Orange County family pay for transportation with scholarship funds?
Florida's scholarships do not pay for getting a child to school, which counts for more in a county as sprawling as Orange.
Transportation: which program pays?
The three programs handle this purchase in different ways.
| Status | How the rule reads | |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Not eligible | Gas, mileage and public transit are prohibited. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Not eligible | Prohibited. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not eligible | Prohibited. The separate $750 Transportation Stipend is only for public-school students attending an out-of-zone public school. |
What rules apply to transportation purchases?
- A school with its own bus still cannot bill that cost to the scholarship, because transportation is missing from the eligible fee list.
What is not allowed for transportation?
- Every transportation cost
How does this work in Orange County?
Driving from Apopka to Lake Nona, or from Winter Garden across to the east side, can take a long time at rush hour. Look at schools in your own part of the county before you commit to a commute the scholarship will not reimburse.
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 not covered?
- How much is the Orange County award?
- Which programs can my child use?
- Can funds pay for food, lodging & child care?
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.