Approved provider: eligible families can direct Step Up For Students scholarship funds toward sports performance training.
Eligible families on FES-EO, FES-UA, FTC, and PEP scholarships can direct funds toward athletic assessments, in-person and online training, agility clinics, and performance camps with Darren J Paul, PhD — at no out-of-pocket cost.
Program Overview
Step Up For Students is a Florida state-approved nonprofit that administers education-choice scholarship programs for PreK–12 students. These programs work like education savings accounts — families receive funds that can be directed toward approved educational expenses, including physical education, sports lessons, and athletic development.
Over 200,000 Florida students currently participate. If your child holds an active scholarship, you may be able to use those funds directly with DJP Athlete — with no money out of your pocket.
How Funds Work
Scholarship funds are deposited into your child's account each quarter. You direct those funds to approved providers — like DJP Athlete — through the EMA portal. Providers can receive direct payment, so families typically pay nothing upfront.
Eligibility
All four major Step Up For Students scholarship programs cover Physical Education expenses — including sports performance training, assessments, agility, and camps. If your child holds any of the scholarships below, they're eligible.
Family Empowerment Scholarship — Educational Options
Private school students in Florida grades K–12. One of the most widely held scholarships — families often have funds remaining after tuition.
Sports training, assessments, agility, camps
Family Empowerment Scholarship — Unique Abilities
Students ages 3–21 with a qualifying disability or active IEP. The most flexible scholarship, with the highest annual funding.
All services + specialized summer programs
Personalized Education Program
Homeschool and microschool families in Florida — a segment that actively needs structured PE providers and trains year-round.
“He initiates a unique approach to his work and the training he provides, which complements what I do and makes me feel right at home as I train towards performance.”
— Wayde van Niekerk, 400m World Record Holder
Covered Services
Every service below falls under the Physical Education or Electives category recognized by Step Up For Students. Eligible families can direct scholarship funds toward any of the following.
Comprehensive diagnostic testing — speed, power, agility, movement quality, and readiness. Every program begins here. Data-driven, not guesswork.
PE EligibleWho It's For
You don't have to be a Division I recruit to train like one. DJP Athlete works with athletes across every stage — from youth athletes building a foundation to competitors chasing their next level.
PEP families who need structured PE, a social training environment, and real athletic development year-round.
Travel, club, and rec athletes ages 8–18 looking for the edge that team practice doesn't provide.
Scholarship-Ready Packages
Every package is structured to align with Step Up's quarterly funding cycle and can be billed directly through the EMA portal — no out-of-pocket payment required for eligible families.
Entry Point · One-Time
The diagnostic foundation. Understand exactly where your athlete is — and where they need to go — before committing to a program.
The Process
Most families don't know this is possible. The ones who figure it out win. Here's exactly how the process works — simplified so there's no confusion.
Log into your EMA portal or contact Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 to confirm your child's active scholarship and available balance, and check which quarter funds are available.
Tell us about your athlete's goals, sport, and needs. We'll confirm which services apply to your scholarship type, walk you through the options, and answer any questions before anything is booked or billed.
Choose the package that fits your athlete. For direct payment through EMA we submit our service offering through the portal and you approve it — no cash changes hands. Families can also pay out of pocket and submit a reimbursement request.
Book Your Consultation
Book a free Step Up For Students consultation. We'll confirm your eligibility, walk you through the right package for your athlete, and handle the EMA process from there.
Step Up For Students: (877) 735-7837
No obligation and no upfront payment for eligible families.
DJP Athlete — Darren J Paul, PhD · CSCS · NASM · 6585 Simons Rd, Zephyrhills, FL 33541 · Tampa Bay Area. Approved Step Up For Students service provider. Eligible families may use FES-EO, FES-UA, FTC, or PEP scholarship funds for approved sports performance, physical education, and athletic development services. Confirm eligibility and coverage details with Step Up For Students before booking.
Physical Education
Under Step Up's Physical Education (P.E.) category, scholarship funds can be used for sports lessons, training fees, and athletic equipment. Sports performance training, agility, and assessments all qualify.
Already Approved
You don't need to navigate the approval process alone. DJP Athlete is an approved provider — once you confirm your scholarship type, we handle the rest, including EMA billing.
Sports training, PE programs, agility, camps
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
Income-based scholarship for K–12 private school students. Funds can be used for P.E. and educational enrichment beyond tuition.
Sports lessons, training fees, equipment
How much funding do families have? It varies by scholarship type and family — annual awards typically range from several thousand dollars up to $10,000+ for the most flexible scholarships, and many families have funds left after tuition. During your free consultation we'll review your child's actual available balance and build a plan that fits it.
Not sure which scholarship your child holds? Check your EMA portal or contact Step Up For Students at (877) 735-7837 — then reach out and we'll confirm eligibility with you before your first session.
Individualized, assessment-led training at our Zephyrhills, FL facility in the Tampa Bay area. Built around your athlete's sport, position, and goals.
High-touch remote programming for athletes anywhere in Florida — individualized plans, video analysis, and ongoing coaching through the app. Not generic templates.
PE Eligible · structured instructionSport-specific agility and change-of-direction training in a clinic format. Group and semi-private options, run in blocks aligned to each funding quarter.
PE / Electives EligibleIntensive multi-day training covering speed, strength, agility, and sport-specific movement. FES-UA families may also qualify under Specialized Summer Programs.
PE / Summer ProgramsStructured athletic development for homeschool athletes — fulfils physical education requirements while building real athletic capacity. Year-round enrollment.
PE Eligible · PEP FamiliesFES-EO / FTC families with scholarship funds remaining after tuition, ready to put them to work.
FES-UA students who benefit from structured, adaptive athletic development — movement, confidence, and physical competence.
Athletes who want measurable results: speed, power output, agility scores, and documented progress reports.
Athletes coming back from injury who need a structured, science-based return-to-performance pathway before competing again.
★ Most Popular
A hybrid of in-person sessions, small-group training, and online app-based programming — built around your athlete's goals, sport, and competition schedule. Aligns with quarterly scholarship disbursements.
Clinic · Aligned to Funding Quarter
A structured agility clinic to develop speed, reaction, and movement confidence — run in blocks that line up with each scholarship disbursement.
Homeschool · Year-Round
Structured athletic development designed specifically for homeschool families. Fulfils PE requirements with measurable, documented progress.
Training starts on schedule. Every athlete is tested at intake and re-tested regularly so progress is measurable and documented — not just felt. Parents receive regular updates, and formal PE reporting is available for homeschool families on request.