Secrets of Submitting Garden Supplies for Reimbursement with Step Up for Students
- Leah Brooks
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Whether it’s a greenhouse, tomato trellises, fruit trees, pollinator plants, seeds, raised bed irrigation, 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 and no EBF is needed to purchase the Tower Garden. Click the links below for more information.
USE COMMON SENSE WHEN PURCHASING
In the past, when parents made purchases 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 a big dill!
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.
The process:
Step 1) Choose a bundle from the Epic Gardening website.
Step 2) Email customer service at Email customer service at customerservice@epicgardening.com and ask for a custom receipt for Step Up for Students. They know just what you need.
Step 3) Submit to SUFS. Instructional Materials --> Electives ---> Gardening Supplies: "Raised beds for my child's garden."
TIPS:
Your receipt that is automatically generated when you purchase will say "Buy 3 Get 1 Free". Step Up will reject this receipt. You must get the receipt customized.
You cannot create 'custom bundles'. Whatever you purchase must be shown as a bundle on the Epic Garden website.
Please contact me if you have any issues getting a proper receipt or are confused about bundles. I will help you! Text leah at 386-473-2638.
GO WILD FOR WILDFLOWERS!
Almost every school garden has wildflowers, which can be in your child’s garden too! They can be tricky to get reimbursed, so please read this document for the finer details.
Growing wildflowers is super fun, highly educational, benefits the local pollinators, and will increase your yield of fruits & veggies when planted alongside edibles!
SUBMIT CORRECTLY & WITH AN EBF!
Submit your receipt in the EMA :
Instructional Materials➡️ Elective Supplies➡️ Garden Supplies
✅Complete and upload the Educational Benefits Form. (Otherwise known as "EBF")
STOP!
PLEASE check the FES-UA and FES-PEP Purchasing Guides before making large purchases!
Everyone is responsible for researching their purchases for appropriateness.
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.”
"A greenhouse for my child's garden."
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Questions? Comments?
Contact me! I am here to help!
