Whether it’s fruit trees, pollinator plants, seeds, bulk garden soil, pots, raised beds, or Vertical Planters, Step Up for Students will reimburse these fantastic items when used in your child’s education! Scroll all the way down to the bottom to see how to submit!
Exciting update: The Tower Garden is now on MyScholarShop! No reimbursement needed! Reach out to Leah for help with ‘purchasing’ 😀
USE COMMON SENSE WHEN PURCHASING
In the past, when parents made purchases that were obviously meant for farming or community gardening, these purchases were denied, and Step Up for Students (SUFS) imposed (or attempted to impose) limits on garden purchases. Use your funds for a child’s educational garden.
KNOW THE 'NO'
These are a few of the things on the 'prohibited list' that you will want to avoid buying':
• Live animals
• Gas or electric-powered gardening tools
• Ornamental plants (shrubs, landscaping, houseplants). Please note: this does not include seeds, seedlings, or fruit/vegetable/herb plants which are eligible expenses
• Commercial-grade tools/equipment
• Blades or knives or items with blades or knives (with the exception of scissors, math tools, or some cooking equipment)
FOLLOW THE MULTIPLES RULE
It’s important to remember that, as of 2024, there is now a ‘multiples rule’. If you purchase multiples of any item priced individually at $50 or more, you must submit a preauthorization first.
BREAK THE RULES WITH BUNDLES!
Bundles are your friend! In the eyes of Step Up for Students, a bundle counts as ONE item. Our friends at Epic Gardens sell bundles of raised beds at a discount. You can purchase a bundle and submit it, and it will be reimbursed—no preauthorization is needed!
Get an additional 5% off your purchase by shopping through my link: shop.epicgardening.com/LEAH
If your receipt needs to be customized to show a bundle, the good people at Epic Gardens will customize it just for Step Up for Students families! Email customer service at customerservice@epicgardening.com for personalized help. They know just what you need.
Step Up for Students will not accept a receipt that says "Buy One Get One Free" if the individual items are more than $50.
Reach out to me if you have any issues getting a proper receipt or are confused about bundles. I will help you!
GO WILD FOR WILDFLOWERS!
Almost every school garden has wildflowers, which can be in your child’s garden too!
Growing wildflowers is super fun, highly educational, benefits the local pollinators, and will increase your yield of fruits & veggies when planted alongside edibles!
CHECK OUT LEAH'S LIST!
GROW A TOWER GARDEN!
Tower Gardens are the perfect educational garden for your school! The Tower Garden is now on MyScholarShop (MSS)! Search “Tower Garden” and reach out to Leah for personailized help.
SUBMIT CORRECTLY & WITH AN EBF!
Submit your receipt in the “old”
Legacy System or the “new” EMA :
Instructional Materials
➡️ Elective Supplies
➡️ Garden Supplies
✅Complete and upload the Educational Benefits Form. (Otherwise known as "EBF")
Use SIMPLE language. Less is more. SUFS employees are not educators; if you provide too much information, they will escalate it or possibly deny it.
Appropriate wording includes:
“Vegetable seeds for my child to plant in his garden.”
"Raised beds for my child's garden."
“Fruit tree for my child’s garden.”
Questions? Comments?
Contact me! I am here to help!
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