Using Your Step Up Funds for Ballet Tuition, Dancewear & Supplies

When most families think about Step Up For Students, they think about tuition — but the education-savings-account programs are more flexible than that. Depending on your program and its rules, your funds may also help with instructional materials and supplies. Here is what Brevard County ballet families should know.

The Marketplace vs. Direct Provider Pay

Inside EMA, the Marketplace (MyScholarShop) is a storefront of pre-approved goods and services you can buy directly with your scholarship balance — no out-of-pocket cost. For a class provider like BBA, tuition is typically handled through direct provider pay: you reserve funds and the studio is paid through the portal. Both flow from the same EMA account.

What May Be Covered Beyond Tuition

Program rules vary, but ESA funds are often usable for eligible instructional materials and educational supplies. For a dancer, that can potentially include curriculum-related items and certain equipment — but eligibility depends on your specific program and current Step Up rules. The golden rule: confirm an item is eligible before you buy it, particularly if you plan to seek reimbursement.

Funds Roll Over — Within Limits

One helpful feature of the ESA programs is that unspent funds generally roll over from year to year (subject to a maximum account balance), so a family can save toward larger educational expenses over time. This is another reason to plan your spending thoughtfully across the year.

When in Doubt, Ask

Eligible-expense lists are set by the State of Florida and change periodically. The definitive source is always stepupforstudents.org. For help coordinating tuition payment at BBA, see how paying for ballet with Step Up works.