Paying Eligible Expenses Directly from Step Up for Students Scholarships

*“Direct payment” means Step Up pays Enlightium directly through the EMA platform.

**“Reimbursement” means parents pay Enlightium first and then request repayment from Step Up. Enlightium Academy cannot guarantee reimbursement approval or timing.

This article applies to students who:

1. Have been awarded PEP or FES-UA scholarships by Step Up for Students, and 
2. Are enrolled full-time at Enlightium Academy:
   1. In the Online Program with the Priority Support upgrade, the Expanded Support upgrade, or in Enlightium Prep Online

As of October 2025, FTC or FES-EO scholarships may not be used for full-time Enlightium Academy tuition and fees, due to limitations in how Florida defines private schools.

Enlightium students in the following packages who have been awarded PEP or FES-UA scholarships may not submit payments directly through the EMA platform at this time, but they may still request reimbursements from Step Up for Enlightium tuition and fees:

• The Book-Based Program
• The Online Program without additional support

Step Up classifies live teacher support as “tutoring.” The support included in the Online Program’s Priority Support upgrade or Expanded Support upgrade qualifies as part-time tutoring, allowing tuition and certain fees to be paid directly by Step Up. The teacher support included in Enlightium Prep Online also qualifies under this category.

Please refer to our blog page, “How Florida Families Can Use the Personalized Education Program (PEP) for Tuition Assistance”, for more information on applying for the PEP scholarship and requesting reimbursements through Step Up for Students. Enlightium cannot guarantee reimbursement approval or timing, so parents should contact Step Up directly for the most up-to-date information.

Keep in mind that the primary parent on the account is ultimately responsible for each student’s tuition and fees. In the event that Step Up does not complete a direct payment on a student’s behalf, the primary parent must make other arrangements to ensure that the payment is completed.

If your student qualifies for direct payment and you wish to pay the tuition through EMA, please follow the steps below:

1. Ensure your student is enrolled full-time at Enlightium Academy.
2. Log in to your EMA account.
3. Click on “Marketplace” and then click on “Find a Provider.”
4. Select your Enlightium student in the dropdown menu. If you have multiple students attending Enlightium, make sure that the correct student is selected.
5. Search for “Enlightium Academy.”
6. Select the “Enlightium Academy” location in Spokane, WA. Please note that this location is applicable for all Enlightium families, including those who do not live in Spokane.
7. Select the “part-time tutoring” service for your student’s support package and grade level.
   1. Note that the installment amounts are based on the standard tuition for your student’s support package and grade level. If the actual amount due for your student is less than the standard amount, an Enlightium representative will reduce the payment to the actual amount due when finalizing the payment details for Step Up in step 9 below.
8. Review the information and click “Reserve Funds.” Then confirm that Step Up can provide your information to us, and click “Confirm.”
   1. You can reserve funds for up to four quarterly payments at once. Enlightium will be able to finalize the payments as services are rendered each quarter.
9. An Enlightium representative will confirm details of the payment and services before submitting the payment for processing.
10. Once the payment is approved by Step Up, Enlightium will adjust any remaining balance on your account accordingly. You will receive a confirmation that Enlightium received approval for the payment, as well as an updated payment plan if applicable.