Reimbursem*nts - Step Up For Students (2024)

Reimbursem*nts - Step Up For Students (1)

Important note for New Worlds Scholarship Families: As a result of House Bill 1361 from the 2024 Florida legislative session, reimbursem*nts for program purchases will be eliminated after the 2023-24 school year. New Worlds families must submit requests for reimbursem*nts of items or services purchased between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 with all necessary documents by Sept. 30, 2024. Please visit the New Worlds Scholarship Handbook for more information.

Making Educational
Spending Easier

We are pleased to announce that reimbursem*nt services will now be managed through the family's EMA account, replacing the U.S. Bank Focus Cards. Renewal FES-UA students remain unaffected, continuing with the legacy system for now.

*Please read below for more information if you are a family with funds on a U.S. Bank Focus Card.

Families seeking a reimbursem*nt can select from one of the following payment methods:

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Direct Bank Transfer
Securely deposit funds directly into your bank account via an ACH transfer.

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Check
If you prefer a more traditional approach, you can select to have a check mailed to the address in your EMA profile.

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PayPal®: Opt for PayPal®, a widely used and trusted online payment platform, to receive your reimbursem*nt with ease. Note: By selecting this method, families may be subject to receiving a 1099-K form. Click here to learn more.

Factors to Consider

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Direct Bank Transfer

Once a reimbursem*nt request is approved, Step Up will initiate the transfer of funds which will be electronically transferred into the families’ bank account ten business days later. This option requires a bank account and is convenient for families who prefer an automated process.

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Check

A check will be mailed roughly one week after the reimbursem*nt request is approved by Step Up. This option may be preferred by those who are more comfortable with traditional transactions and/or families who do not have a bank account.

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PayPal®

After the reimbursem*nt request has been approved, transactions often occur within 10 business days. However, it may take additional time to transfer funds from a PayPal® account to a bank account or a credit/debit card. Paypal® is also widely accepted on various websites, and it allows for quick peer-to-peer transfers.

Note: By selecting this method, families may be subject to receiving a 1099-K form. Click here to learn more. Step Up is not able to provide tax advice. For additional questions related to the 1099-K form, please speak with a tax professional.

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Selecting Your Preferred Payment Method

Families who intend to submit reimbursem*nt requests will need to log in to their EMA account to select their preferred payment method before submitting a reimbursem*nt.

  1. Log in to your EMA Account
  2. Click on the “Profile” icon in the top right corner of the dashboard
  3. Select "Edit Profile"
  4. Scroll down to the “Payment Method” section and click on "Manage"
    If you need to change your address, please do so in your EMA parent profile then return to the Payment Method screen.
  5. Select “Next” and choose your payment method from the dropdown menu
    The fields will vary based on the payment method selection. Please ensure all details are accurate before submitting.
  6. Save Changes
    Save the changes to update your profile. You will see a green box confirming your “Payment Method Connected.” You are now ready to submit a reimbursem*nt.
  7. It may take up to 12 hours for this change to be reflected in your EMA account. If you continue to see the "Payment Method Needs Attention" message after updating your payment method, please log out, open a new window and log back in.

Resources:

How to Select Your Preferred Method

How to Submit Your Reimbursem*nt Request

Additional Resources

Additional resources are being updated and will be provided here when available

Reimbursem*nt Video

Reimbursem*nt Presentation

Accessing and Managing Funds on Your U.S. Bank Focus Card

Families with a balance on their U.S. Bank Focus Card can continue to use those funds until they run out; however, reimbursem*nts approved after January 8, 2024 will be accessible through the new process in the family’s EMA account.

Card users can access the funds on their US Bank Focus Card in the following ways:

Direct Spending

Families can use the card like any other pre-paid debit card to make purchases or get cash.

Request a Check

At the family’s request, U.S. Bank will issue a check for the balance that remains on their Focus Card. Please contact U.S. Bank by calling the number on the back of your card.

Withdraw at a Bank

Cardholders can make a cash withdrawal from a network of ATMs* free of charge. View the ATM Map >

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has the reimbursem*nt process recently changed?

Yes, as of January 8, 2023, families will need to log in to their EMA account to select their preferred payment method prior to submitting an expense for reimbursem*nt. Reimbursem*nt funds will no longer be made to the families U.S. Bank Focus Card. If you need assistance with your U.S. Bank Focus Card, call (888) 863-0681.

What if I have funds left on my U.S. Bank Focus Card?

Families with a balance on their U.S. Bank Focus Card can continue to use those funds until they run out, withdraw them at a bank or call U.S. Bank and request a check for the balance that remains on the card. New reimbursem*nt funds will not be added to the U.S. Bank Focus Card after January 8, 2023. If you need assistance with your U.S. Bank Focus Card, call (888) 863-0681.

What factors should I consider when choosing between a direct bank transfer, mailed check, or PayPal®?

When choosing between direct bank transfer, Check, or PayPal®, consider factors such as speed of access, convenience, banking access and accessibility. Click here for details >

Do I need to be concerned about receiving a 1099k from PayPal®? What should I do if I receive it?

If you receive a 1099k from PayPal®, it means that you have reached the threshold for receiving payments that require additional tax reporting. To address this, it is important to consult with a tax professional. You can learn more on PayPal's website here.

What do I do if I need assistance with my U.S. Bank Focus Card?

If you need assistance with your U.S. Bank Focus Card, call (888) 863-0681.

What do I do if I need assistance with selecting my payment method on my EMA account?

If you need assistance with selecting your preferred payment method, call Step Up at (877) 735-7837 or utilize the online chat feature on our website for help from our representatives.

I see my banking information is entered into Tipalti. Can this platform be trusted?

Yes! Tipalti is SSAE 18 SOC compliant as well as ISAE 3402 (SOC1) and ISAE 3000 (SOC2) Type II verified, which means that the Tipalti system has passed all required conditions or rules related to securing data. They are a secure cloud platform for payment distribution with internal user security features (SUFS) and they have Disaster Recovery.

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Reimbursem*nts - Step Up For Students (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get step up reimbursem*nt? ›

A check will be mailed roughly one week after the reimbursem*nt request is approved by Step Up.

How does step up for students work in Florida? ›

Step Up For Students is a state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organization that helps administer four scholarships for Florida schoolchildren: the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) for lower to middle income families, the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) for lower to middle income families and ...

What is reimbursem*nt credit? ›

Reimbursem*nt is when a business pays back an employee, client, or other people for money they spent out of their pocket or for overpaid money. Some examples are getting money back for business costs, insurance premiums, and overpaid taxes.

What is the Fes UA program? ›

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a bank account from which you direct funds to pay for tuition and fees for a private school, homeschooling options, therapies, tutoring and more.

How does step-up for students make money? ›

Through tax programs, individual donations, workplace giving, planned giving, and more, they enable our students to thrive from pre-school through high school and beyond.

How long does it take to get Step 1 results back? ›

When will I get my score? Your Step 1 scores (as well as your USMLE Step 2CK and USMLE Step 3 scores) are typically available 2-4 weeks after you take your exam. Your Step 1 score release will most likely be the Wednesday 3-4 weeks after you sit for your exam. However, sometimes scores may be delayed.

Is Step Up For Students legit? ›

The organization is called Step Up for Students (StepUpForStudents.org), an SFO (Scholarship Funding Organization) that awards and manages tax credit scholarships for the state of Florida, as well as in Alabama. According to Forbes, Step Up is the 21st largest charity in the United States.

Does ADHD qualify for the Gardiner scholarship? ›

Specific Learning Disability including Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. Other Health Impairments including ADD, ADHD and Diabetes.

What does Florida pay per student? ›

K-12 public education makes up a significant part of state and local budgets. As a barometer for K-12 spending, government officials use the measure “per-student spending.” For the 2018-19 school year, the Florida Legislature appropriated $7,408 per student, the largest per-student appropriation in Florida history.

How is reimbursem*nt paid? ›

You can integrate reimbursem*nts directly into your payroll system or reimburse employees separately for expenses via check or direct deposit. While convenient for the employer, keep in mind that expense reimbursem*nts via payroll may mean employees have to wait longer to receive their money back.

What is eligible for reimbursem*nt? ›

Typical items eligible for reimbursem*nt include co-insurance payments, deductible payments, eyeglasses, hearing devices, prescription drugs, psychiatric care and emergency ambulance service.

Is a reimbursem*nt a refund? ›

If your business issues a refund to a customer, you should also cancel the related invoice with a credit note. Reimbursem*nt is the act of giving someone money if they've purchased something on your behalf, so they're not out of pocket for the amount they have spent.

How long does it take to get approved for Fes UA? ›

We recommend you use a cell phone or phone number that does not answer as a recording. It can take up to 6 weeks for applications to be processed. You will receive updates via email when your application review is complete. A few tips before your get started on your new FES-UA application . . .

Who qualifies for the step-up program in Florida? ›

Quick facts: Available to Florida residents, regardless of household income, who are eligible to attend a K-12 public school.* The scholarship will first pay for the cost of private school tuition and related fees. $8,000 average amount awarded for private school scholarships for the 2024-25 school year.

How much is the FES scholarship? ›

What is the average award amount for FES EO? The maximum scholarship amount for each student is based upon their grade level and county of residence. In the 2023-24 school year, the average award amount was $7,950.

Is step-up a federal program? ›

The STEP-UP program is a federally funded program managed and supported by the Office of Minority Health Research Coordination (OMHRC) in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What is the tax step-up benefit? ›

In the case of appreciated assets, the rule allows people to inherit the assets, such as stocks or real estate, without inheriting the tax burden that's triggered by capital gains. This is known as a step-up in basis. In states that recognize community property laws, married couples stand to benefit greatly.

What is the Florida Empowerment Scholarship? ›

The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program for Students with Unique Abilities was established in 2021 by the Florida legislature (Section 1002.394, Florida Statutes), offering families of students with disabilities, as young as 3 years of age, a choice of either enrolling their student in another public school, or ...

Who started step-up for students? ›

John Kirtley

He created the Children's Scholarship Fund of Tampa Bay in 1998 to privately fund scholarships for low-income children in grades K-8, and the reaction was so overwhelming he persuaded the Florida Legislature in 2001 to create a statewide Tax Credit Scholarship for all low-income students.

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