Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about the Empowered Pathways experience, Fall 2026 cohorts, tuition, scholarship funding, and the application process.
Program Basics
Who is Empowered Pathways designed for?
Empowered Pathways is designed for teens ages 14 to 18 who want to better understand themselves, build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership skills, develop practical life skills, and explore meaningful possibilities for their future. Students do not need any previous leadership, business, or public speaking experience.
Does my teen need business experience?
No. Students do not need prior business knowledge or entrepreneurial experience. Entrepreneurial thinking is only one part of the program and is used to help students practice creativity, initiative, problem-solving, communication, and thoughtful action.
Is this only for students who want to start a business?
No. Empowered Pathways focuses on the whole student. Participants explore self-discovery, confidence, emotional awareness, leadership, communication, creativity, practical life skills, and future possibilities. A student’s final project may involve a creative idea, community initiative, personal goal, career pathway, service project, or entrepreneurial concept.
Is this program appropriate for shy or introverted students?
Yes. Students are encouraged to participate at a level that supports their growth and comfort. The program provides structured opportunities to reflect, contribute to discussions, collaborate, and practice sharing ideas. Students are not expected to be confident public speakers when they begin.
Is Empowered Pathways only for homeschool students?
No. Empowered Pathways is open to eligible teens from homeschool, public school, private school, virtual school, and alternative learning environments. Families should choose the cohort that best fits the student’s schedule and learning needs.
Program Format and Schedule
How are the sessions offered?
Families may choose between a virtual daytime cohort and an in-person evening cohort. Both cohorts include live, facilitator-led group sessions and follow the same Empowered Pathways curriculum.
How long is the program?
Empowered Pathways includes twelve weekly 90-minute group sessions followed by the final student showcase. There will be no class on November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day.
When does the virtual cohort meet?
The virtual daytime cohort meets on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Classes begin September 16, 2026. Virtual sessions are held through Zoom.
When and where does the in-person cohort meet?
The in-person evening cohort meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Recreation Center in Englewood, Florida. Classes begin September 16, 2026.
Will virtual sessions be recorded?
Yes. Virtual sessions will be recorded and made available privately to enrolled families for review or to help students catch up when necessary. Recordings will not be made public. Families will complete a recording acknowledgment during registration.
When is the final showcase presentation?
The virtual showcase will be held on Wednesday, December 9 and Friday, December 11 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time. Each virtual student will be assigned one presentation date. The in-person showcase will be held on Wednesday, December 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Families are invited to attend their student’s showcase.
Program Experience
What topics will students explore?
Students explore personal strengths, values, interests, learning preferences, confidence, emotional awareness, communication, leadership, creativity, practical life skills, financial awareness, goal-setting, career and education possibilities, and future planning.
What is the My Empowered Blueprint?
The My Empowered Blueprint is a personalized workbook that develops throughout the program. It captures each student’s discoveries, strengths, preferences, goals, strategies, ideas, and possible next steps. Students complete the program with a resource that reflects what they have learned about themselves and the future they want to create.
Is there homework between sessions?
Students will complete guided workbook activities, reflections, and occasional project preparation between sessions. The work is designed to support the student’s growth and final showcase without creating an excessive academic workload.
What happens during a typical session?
Sessions may include guided discussion, individual reflection, assessments, workbook activities, creative challenges, collaboration, practical skill-building, and opportunities to practice communication and leadership. Activities will vary according to the current phase of the program.
How large will each cohort be?
Cohorts are intentionally kept small to support discussion, participation, personal attention, and a welcoming group environment. Enrollment is limited and placement is subject to availability.
Application & Enrollment
How does my student apply?
A parent or guardian completes the online application with information about the student, the preferred cohort, program goals, and the anticipated payment method. No payment is required when submitting the application.
Why is an application required?
The application helps determine whether Empowered Pathways is a good fit for the student and allows the facilitator to understand the student’s strengths, interests, goals, and support needs. It also helps maintain balanced and supportive cohorts.
What happens after the application is submitted?
Brianne will personally review each application. Families will receive an acceptance decision and next-step instructions by email. Accepted families will receive a private registration link for enrollment, agreements, and payment or scholarship instructions.
Does submitting an application guarantee enrollment?
No. Space is limited, and submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance or placement in a specific cohort. Applications are reviewed for program fit, cohort availability, and the student’s readiness to participate.
What attendance is expected?
Students should plan to attend all scheduled sessions and the final showcase. Consistent attendance supports the student’s progress, group relationships, and completion of the My Empowered Blueprint. Families should communicate with Brianne if an absence is unavoidable.
When is a student officially enrolled?
A student is officially enrolled after receiving an acceptance notice, completing the private registration process, signing all required agreements, and completing the applicable payment or Step Up For Students funding steps.
Tuition, Private Payment, and Step Up For Students
What is the program tuition?
Tuition for the complete 12-week Empowered Pathways program is $750. Tuition includes twelve live group sessions, a printable personal student workbook, guided activities, the My Empowered Blueprint, and the final student showcase.
Is a private payment plan available?
Yes. Private-pay families may pay the $750 tuition in full or select a payment plan of three monthly payments of $250. The payment schedule and instructions will be provided during registration.
Can Step Up For Students scholarship funds be used?
Yes. 1 Empowered is an approved Step Up For Students direct-pay provider in the EMA Marketplace. Eligible Florida families may use available scholarship funds toward program tuition when the student has an active, funded scholarship account with at least $750 available to reserve.
Which Step Up For Students scholarships can be used?
Scholarship use is subject to the student’s specific scholarship program, available account balance, purchasing eligibility, and Step Up For Students approval. Families should confirm that Empowered Pathways with 1 Empowered is an eligible purchase for their student’s account before selecting scholarship funding.
Can scholarship funds and private payment be combined?
Empowered Pathways does not currently split the $750 tuition between EMA direct payment and private payment. To use direct payment, the student must have at least $750 available to reserve through EMA. Families without the full amount available must select a private-payment option.
What if my student is waiting for scholarship approval or changing scholarship programs?
Families awaiting scholarship approval or changing scholarship programs must select a private-payment option to secure enrollment. The family may pursue reimbursement through Step Up For Students, but reimbursement is submitted by the family and remains subject to Step Up For Students requirements and approval. 1 Empowered cannot guarantee reimbursement.
What is the refund policy?
Refund eligibility depends on the timing and circumstances of the cancellation. Families should review the Empowered Pathways Refund Policy before completing registration.