DME Academy Sarasota is proud to announce that we are now an officially approved vendor through Step Up For Students, allowing eligible families to use their scholarship funds toward competitive, recreational, and traditional club soccer programming.

This is a major milestone—not just for our club, but for the entire Sarasota soccer community.

What This Means for Families

For families participating in homeschool education, the Personalized Education Program (PEP), or other eligible Step Up scholarship pathways, this approval creates a new level of accessibility to youth sports.

Simply put:

Eligible student-athletes can now use Step Up funds to help cover club soccer fees at DME Academy Sarasota.

This includes:

• Annual club tuition
• Training and development programming
• Competitive and recreational team participation

For many families, this significantly reduces the financial barrier associated with high-quality youth soccer.

Expanding Access to the Game

At DME Academy, Sarasota, we believe that every athlete deserves the opportunity to play, develop, and compete—regardless of financial circumstances.

Youth sports provide more than just physical activity. They are a critical part of a young athlete’s growth, helping to build:

• Confidence
• Discipline
• Teamwork
• Mental resilience
• Physical wellness

By becoming a Step Up approved vendor, we are taking a meaningful step toward making these benefits more accessible to a wider group of families in our community.

A First for Our Area

DME Academy Sarasota is proud to be one of the first clubs in the Sarasota region to offer this opportunity.

While many clubs focus solely on traditional payment models, we have worked proactively to align with educational funding pathways that support today’s modern student-athlete—especially those in homeschool and flexible academic environments.

This positions DME Academy as a leader in innovation, accessibility, and athlete-first development within the local soccer landscape.

How to Use STEP UP Funds at DME

Getting started is simple:

1. Confirm your eligibility through the Step Up For Students program
2. Ensure your scholarship (PEP or other applicable category) is active
3. Select DME Academy, Sarasota as your approved vendor
4. Apply your funds toward your club soccer fees

Our team is available to guide families through the process and answer any questions along the way. Email us at Paula@dmeacademysarasota.com

Building the Future of Youth Soccer

This initiative reflects our broader mission: to create an environment where serious athletes can pursue excellence without unnecessary barriers.

By combining elite-level training, structured development pathways, and now greater financial accessibility, DME Academy Sarasota continues to raise the standard for what a modern youth soccer club should be.

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If you’re a homeschool, PEP, or Step Up eligible family looking for a high-quality soccer environment, we invite you to connect with our team and learn more about how to get started.

More access. More opportunity. More players on the field.