Florida FES-UA Parent Guides
Plain-language resources to help you understand your scholarship and use every dollar for your child.
Florida's FES-UA scholarship can be confusing — matrix levels, EMA accounts, provider authorizations, denied purchases. These guides cut through the noise so you know exactly what you're working with and how to use it effectively.
Foundation Guides
Start here. These guides cover everything you need to understand FES-UA.
FES-UA Eligibility: Complete 2026 Guide
Who qualifies, the 23 qualifying diagnoses, IEP vs 504 requirements, and deadlines.
FES-UA Matrix Codes Explained
How matrix codes determine funding. Ranges from $9,494 to $39,289 for 2025-26.
How to Apply for FES-UA in 2026
Step-by-step walkthrough. Documents needed, deadlines, and what to expect.
What FES-UA Can (and Can't) Pay For
Complete spending guide. Tutoring, therapy, curriculum, technology, and more.
Comparison Guides
Making decisions? These guides help you choose the right path.
FES-UA vs FES-EO vs PEP
Which Florida scholarship fits your family? Side-by-side comparison.
FES-UA vs Hope Scholarship (2026)
Hope is ending. Where to apply now: FES-UA for disabilities, FTC/FES-EO for others.
Step Up vs AAA Scholarship Foundation
Which SFO should you apply through? Direct pay vs reimbursement explained.
Diagnosis Guides
FES-UA for specific diagnoses. How to qualify and what support FES-UA can fund.
Autism and FES-UA
How Florida families use FES-UA for autism support — ABA, tutoring, therapy.
Dyslexia and FES-UA
Funding structured literacy (Orton-Gillingham, Wilson) — method matters.
ADHD and FES-UA
OHI eligibility, the 504 trap, and executive function support.
Specific Learning Disability and FES-UA
Beyond dyslexia: dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing, and more.
Down Syndrome and FES-UA
Explicitly named in statute. Speech, OT, tutoring, and early eligibility.
Intellectual Disability and FES-UA
Mild to profound ID. Functional academics, transition planning, age 22 coverage.
Speech and Language Impairment and FES-UA
Two separate qualifying conditions. SLP services, AAC, and FL licensure rules.
Emotional and Behavioral Disability and FES-UA
Anxiety, depression, ODD. Therapy funding, low-stress tutoring options.
Cerebral Palsy and FES-UA
PT, OT, adaptive tech, and why online tutoring often works well.
Hearing Impairment, Deafness, and FES-UA
LSL specialists explicitly named in statute. AVT, AAC, and D/HoH tutoring.
Visual Impairment, Blindness, and FES-UA
TVI, Braille, CVI, and the expanded core curriculum.
Traumatic Brain Injury and FES-UA
Cognitive rehab, fatigue management, and post-TBI tutoring strategies.
Request a Higher Matrix Code
Re-evaluation rights, documentation, IEE options. A jump to 254 = $12K+ more/year.
Managing Your FES-UA Balance
The $50,000 cap, rollover rules, and strategic spending.
Transferring Between Step Up and AAA
How to switch SFOs, fund transfer timing, renewal status preservation.
EMA Invoice and Payment Timeline
Invoice statuses explained, typical timing, troubleshooting deleted invoices.
FES-UA for Military Families
PCS orders, pre-residency eligibility, TRICARE coordination.
Leaving Public School for FES-UA
Withdrawal timing, what you keep, what you lose, setting up services.
FES-UA for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
Early intervention, VPK coordination, developmental delay pathway.
From McKay or Gardiner to FES-UA
What changed, funding floor protection, legacy family benefits.
Using FES-UA for ABA Therapy
Provider requirements, BACB verification, costs, and tutoring coordination.
The Four FES-UA Matrix Domains
What evaluators assess in Self-Care, Ambulation, Communication, and Behavior.
Choosing a Private School with FES-UA
Eligibility, school categories, questions to ask, tuition vs. award math.
Florida ESE to FES-UA Crosswalk
What you gain, what you lose, IEP translation, documents to request.
Specialized Guides
Specific situations? These guides dive deeper.
Using FES-UA to Homeschool in Florida
Three legal paths, umbrella schools, and what FES-UA covers for homeschoolers.
FES-UA Application Denied or Delayed
Common denial reasons, how to fix them, and your options if FES-UA doesn't work out.
The Complete FES-UA Guide: Using Step Up for Tutoring
Everything in one place — EMA, direct pay setup, finding providers, troubleshooting.
Quick Answers
Most common FES-UA questions — short answers, more detail in the guides above.
How much is my FES-UA scholarship worth?
Depends on your child's matrix code — ranges from $9,494 (Matrix 251-253) to $39,289 (Matrix 255, Monroe County) for 2025-26. Full matrix breakdown →
How do I pay a tutoring provider with FES-UA?
Through EMA — the provider must be registered. You authorize them, they submit invoices, EMA pays them. No out-of-pocket. How EMA works →
Is Special Education Resource LLC FES-UA approved?
Yes — we are a fully registered EMA provider with Step Up For Students. Search "Special Education Resource" in Find Providers. Get started →
Can I use FES-UA for online tutoring?
Yes. Online tutoring from a registered EMA provider is fully eligible. All our tutoring is delivered online statewide.
My FES-UA application was denied — now what?
Most denials are fixable — usually documentation issues. Check your portal for the reason. Troubleshoot denials →
Can I use FES-UA for homeschooling?
Yes. FES-UA covers curriculum, tutoring, therapy, and more for homeschool families. Homeschool guide →
Have a question that's not covered here?
We work with FES-UA families every day. If you're confused about your scholarship, EMA, or how to get started with tutoring — just ask.
Free consultation with a member of our team. We'll answer your questions and help you figure out your next step — no commitment required.
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