Become a Step Up Virtual Instruction Provider in Florida
At a Glance
Virtual instruction providers offer Florida Department of Education-approved online learning programs and online courses. Families can pay for them with scholarship funds under Unique Abilities (FES-UA), the Private School Scholarship (FTC and FES-EO), and the Personalized Education Program (PEP), but only through providers Step Up has approved in EMA, its online system.
This page covers what approval involves for a virtual instruction provider: the state approval that has to come first, the scholarships that can pay for this work, how payment reaches you, and the mistakes that slow applications down. Step Up reviews every application and makes every approval decision.
What Families Can Pay You For
FES-UA, FTC, FES-EO, and PEP can pay for virtual instruction from a Florida Department of Education-approved provider. A family can pay through Direct Pay in EMA, or pay and request reimbursement from their scholarship account.
What It Takes
Step Up recognizes two approval routes in this category, and either one has to be in place first:
- Florida Department of Education-approved Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) provider, or
- Florida Department of Education-approved online course provider.
The Florida Department of Education approval must be obtained first, before applying to Step Up. At a headline level, the Business account asks for tax ID information, your legal name as registered with the IRS, and bank details so Step Up can pay you, along with proof of the Florida Department of Education approval.
Mistakes That Slow Virtual Instruction Applications Down
- No Florida Department of Education approval. Step Up approval in this category rests on that state approval.
- Applying to Step Up before the state approval is in place. The Florida Department of Education approval must be obtained first.
Questions Providers Ask
Which scholarships can pay for virtual instruction?
Unique Abilities (FES-UA), the Private School Scholarship (FTC and FES-EO), and PEP.
What approval do I need before Step Up?
Florida Department of Education approval, either as a Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) provider or as an online course provider. That approval must be obtained first, before applying to Step Up.
What account does a virtual instruction provider use?
A Business account. At a headline level, it asks for tax ID information, your legal name as registered with the IRS, and bank details, along with proof of the Florida Department of Education approval.
How do families pay me?
Step Up can pay you directly through EMA, or the family pays you and requests reimbursement from their scholarship account.
See Your Virtual Instruction Pathway
The free assessment asks five straightforward questions and shows you a personalized preview of your provider pathway: your credential route, the scholarship programs that fit, and your first steps. The assessment is free. Start with a free personalized assessment. Full personalized plan for one provider pathway: $147 one-time. Additional pathways are $97 each.
Enrolling an online school or course provider? The Practice Plan covers 3 pathways for $397 one-time, and additional pathways are $97 each.
Step Up Provider Guide is operated by Pair of Deuces LLC and is not affiliated with Step Up For Students. Step Up reviews every provider application and makes all approval decisions.
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