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NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)August 13, 2026Hillsborough County

Florida homeschool parents report funding denials despite $29 million surplus in voucher program

Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)

Florida parents using the Personalized Education Program (PEP) voucher are reporting funding denials, even as state financial projections indicate a $29 million surplus that could cover over 3,400 additional scholarships. Step Up For Students, the primary distributor of the funds, cites high application volume and income-based prioritization as reasons for the current distribution challenges.

EducationVouchersBudget & AppropriationsHomeschoolingFlorida
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)

Why It Matters

Families relying on state-funded vouchers for private lessons and curriculum face uncertainty regarding their eligibility, while state officials struggle to reconcile the reported funding denials with the program's updated financial balance.

Key Facts

Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.

Who's Mentioned

PersonElisabeth Goodman“Representative of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research.”OrganizationAAA“Scholarship funding organization.”PersonLindsay Poverdomo-Joly“A Coral Springs parent who uses PEP funding for her son's education.”PersonScott Kent“Spokesman for Step Up For Students.”OrganizationEducation Estimating Conference“State body reviewing scholarship financial projections.”PersonDenise Potvin“Florida House budget chief.”PersonTim Elwell“Staff director for the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education.”OrganizationStep Up For Students“Primary distributor of PEP scholarship funds.”