Can Step Up Scholarships Pay for Music Lessons?
Piano, guitar, violin, voice, and other instrument or singing lessons.
The Short Answer
Music lessons are an elective and enrichment expense under PEP, so a PEP family can pay an approved music teacher or studio with scholarship funds. Piano lessons are the classic example parents ask about.
PEP is for parent-directed education: your child cannot be enrolled full time in a public or private school while using PEP. If you are looking for music therapy, a clinical service with treatment goals, that is covered under FES-UA instead.
Lessons are an elective under PEP. Music therapy is a different, clinical service covered under FES-UA. See Music Therapy.
Which Programs Can Pay, and the Rules
Paying: Direct Pay in EMA, or pay the provider and request reimbursement.
The rule that decides it: For parent-directed education. Your child cannot be enrolled full time in a public or private school, and a district home education registration must be ended by August 15.
Under the Private School Scholarship (FTC and FES-EO), music lessons are an eligible elective use of money left after the student's tuition and fees are paid, while the student attends an eligible private school full time in person.
Paying: Funds are paid to the school in quarterly payments, and a parent approves each payment in EMA. Money left after tuition and fees can also be spent through Direct Pay, reimbursement, or MyScholarShop.
The rule that decides it: Pays tuition and fees at the eligible private school your child attends full time. It cannot be used while your child is enrolled full time in a public school.
The service also has to appear in the provider's approved EMA service catalog, and Step Up confirms coverage for your child's program. When in doubt, ask Step Up before the service begins, at (877) 735-7837.
Who Provides It, and How to Find One
Who provides it: A music teacher, studio, or lesson provider. The provider must be approved in Step Up's system for the service to be payable.
Approved providers are listed in Step Up's official directory inside EMA. Log in to your EMA account, choose Marketplace, then Find Providers to search approved providers and services near you. Step Up's steps for finding a provider in EMA.
Questions Parents Ask
Who provides Music Lessons?
A music teacher, studio, or lesson provider. Providers must be approved in Step Up's system. Approved providers are listed in Step Up's official directory inside EMA. Log in to your EMA account, choose Marketplace, then Find Providers to search approved providers and services near you.
What rules decide whether scholarship funds can pay for Music Lessons?
Personalized Education Program (PEP): For parent-directed education. Your child cannot be enrolled full time in a public or private school, and a district home education registration must be ended by August 15. Private School Scholarship: Pays tuition and fees at the eligible private school your child attends full time. It cannot be used while your child is enrolled full time in a public school.
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Step Up Customer Engagement Center: (877) 735-7837, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
This tool gives general information only. It is not an application, and it cannot tell you whether your child is eligible. Step Up For Students makes all eligibility and funding decisions.