FES-UA Eligibility: Complete 2026 Guide
Who qualifies, the 23 qualifying diagnoses, and how to apply.
Everything Florida parents need to know about FES-UA eligibility requirements — from qualifying diagnoses to application deadlines.
💡 Quick Answer: Who Qualifies for FES-UA?
Florida residents ages 3 through grade 12 (or up to age 22 with an IEP) who have a documented qualifying disability or an active IEP qualify for FES-UA. The scholarship covers 23 disability categories including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy. Students must NOT be enrolled full-time in a traditional public school.
Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is one of the largest and most flexible special education scholarship programs in the country. It provides families with annual funding — ranging from approximately $9,494 to $39,289 depending on your child's needs and county — to pay for tutoring, therapy, curriculum, and other approved educational services.
But before you can access those funds, your child must meet the eligibility requirements. This guide breaks down exactly who qualifies, what documentation you need, and how to apply.
For a detailed overview of how FES-UA works once you're approved, see our complete FES-UA and Step Up guide.
The Three Core Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for FES-UA, your child must meet all three of these requirements:
1. Florida Residency
Your child must be a Florida resident. This typically means:
- You live in Florida and can provide proof of residency (utility bills, lease agreement, Florida driver's license, etc.)
- Your child resides with you in Florida
Military families with PCS orders to Florida qualify even before establishing permanent residency — more on that below.
2. Age and Grade Level
Your child must be:
- Age 3 or older, and
- Not yet graduated with a standard high school diploma
For most families, this means children from age 3 through grade 12. However, students with an active IEP can remain eligible through age 22 if they haven't yet received a standard diploma.
3. Qualifying Disability
Your child must have one of the following:
- An active Individualized Education Program (IEP) from a Florida public school, OR
- A documented diagnosis in one of the 23 qualifying disability categories from a licensed physician, psychologist, or other qualified professional
Important: A 504 plan alone does not qualify your child. However, many children with 504 plans also have a qualifying diagnosis — like ADHD or a learning disability — that would make them eligible.
The 23 Qualifying Diagnoses
FES-UA covers a specific list of disability categories. If your child has a documented diagnosis in any of these categories, they qualify — even without an IEP.
| Diagnosis | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Anaphylaxis | Severe allergic reactions requiring medical management and emergency planning |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder | The full autism spectrum, from Level 1 (formerly Asperger's) through Level 3 |
| Being a High-Risk Child | Certain prenatal or early childhood risk factors (as defined by FLDOE) |
| Cerebral Palsy | Motor disorders caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth |
| Down Syndrome | Chromosomal condition (trisomy 21) causing developmental and intellectual delays |
| Emotional or Behavioral Disability | Conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, ODD, or conduct disorder affecting school performance |
| Hearing Impairment | Partial or complete hearing loss (including deafness) |
| Hospital or Homebound | Students unable to attend school due to medical conditions requiring home or hospital instruction |
| Dual Sensory Impaired | Combined hearing and vision impairments |
| Intellectual Disability | Significant limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior |
| Language Impairment | Disorders affecting understanding or use of spoken/written language |
| Muscular Dystrophy | Progressive muscle-weakening diseases |
| Orthopedic Impairment | Physical disabilities affecting bones, joints, or muscles |
| Other Health Impairment | Includes ADHD, as well as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, and other health conditions affecting school performance |
| Phelan-McDermid Syndrome | Genetic condition causing developmental delays, absent or delayed speech, and low muscle tone |
| Prader-Willi Syndrome | Genetic condition causing feeding difficulties, developmental delays, and behavioral challenges |
| Rare Diseases | Conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. with significant educational impact |
| Specific Learning Disability | Includes dyslexia, dyscalculia, and developmental aphasia — disorders affecting reading, math, or language processing |
| Speech Impairment | Disorders affecting speech production (articulation, fluency, voice) |
| Spina Bifida | Neural tube defect affecting the spine |
| Traumatic Brain Injury | Brain injuries from external trauma affecting cognitive or physical function |
| Visual Impairment | Partial or complete vision loss (including blindness) |
| Williams Syndrome | Genetic condition causing cardiovascular problems, developmental delays, and distinctive facial features |
IEP vs. 504 Plan vs. Diagnosis Only: What Counts?
This is where many families get confused. Here's the simple breakdown:
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
If your child has an active IEP from a Florida public school, they automatically qualify for FES-UA. The IEP itself is proof of qualifying disability — you don't need a separate diagnosis.
504 Plan
A 504 plan alone does not make your child eligible for FES-UA. Why? Because 504 plans don't require the same level of documented disability as an IEP.
However: If your child has a 504 plan for a condition like ADHD, and you also have a diagnosis letter from their doctor, that diagnosis qualifies them. The 504 plan just doesn't substitute for that documentation.
Diagnosis from a Licensed Professional
A documented diagnosis in any of the 23 categories from a licensed physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified professional qualifies your child — no IEP required.
The diagnosis must be:
- From a licensed professional authorized to make that diagnosis in Florida
- Documented in writing
- In one of the 23 specific qualifying categories
Military Family Eligibility
Active-duty military families have a special pathway to FES-UA eligibility.
If you have PCS orders to Florida:
- ✓ Your dependent child qualifies as a Florida resident for FES-UA purposes
- ✓ You don't need to wait until you establish permanent residency
- ✓ Your child still needs a qualifying disability (IEP or diagnosis)
Documentation needed:
- Copy of PCS orders showing Florida assignment
- Proof of dependent relationship (birth certificate, military dependent ID)
- Qualifying disability documentation
This provision exists because military families often transfer mid-school-year and need immediate access to educational services for their children with special needs. If you're a military family in Jacksonville or Miami — two major military population centers — you can access FES-UA services as soon as you arrive.
What Disqualifies a Student?
Even if your child has a qualifying disability, they may be disqualified from FES-UA if:
1. Full-Time Public School Enrollment
FES-UA is specifically for students who are not attending traditional public school full-time. If your child is enrolled full-time in a Florida public school, they cannot receive FES-UA funds.
Clarification: This includes traditional public schools and public charter schools. However, part-time public school enrollment (for specific classes) combined with homeschooling or private school may be compatible — check with Step Up For Students for your specific situation.
2. Already Receiving Another Florida Scholarship
Florida law allows students to hold only one state scholarship at a time. If your child is receiving FES-EO, FTC, or PEP, they cannot simultaneously receive FES-UA.
You must choose one program. For most families with children with disabilities, FES-UA is the best fit due to higher funding levels and broader approved uses.
3. Graduated with a Standard Diploma
Once a student receives a standard high school diploma, they are no longer eligible for FES-UA, regardless of age.
Students who receive a certificate of completion (rather than a standard diploma) may remain eligible if they're under 22 and still have an active IEP.
4. Age Limits
Children under age 3 are not eligible. Students over age 22 are not eligible (even with an IEP).
Application Timing and Deadlines
FES-UA has specific application windows you need to know:
| Deadline | Who It's For | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Application Opens | Everyone | February 1 |
| Renewal Deadline | Existing scholarship families | April 30 |
| New Applicant Deadline | First-time applicants | November 15 |
February 1: Applications open for the upcoming school year. Both new applicants and renewing families should apply as early as possible.
April 30: If you're already on FES-UA and want to continue, you must submit your renewal application by this date. Missing this deadline can result in gaps in your scholarship.
November 15: New applicants can apply until mid-November for the current school year. However, applying later means less time to use your funds that year.
💡 Pro tip
Don't wait until deadlines. Apply in February if possible. Processing takes time, and you want your scholarship active and funded before you need it.
Source: Florida Statutes 1002.394
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for FES-UA in Florida?
Florida residents ages 3 through grade 12 (or up to age 22 with an IEP) who have a qualifying disability diagnosis or an active IEP qualify for FES-UA. The 23 qualifying diagnoses include autism, ADHD (as "other health impairment"), dyslexia (as "specific learning disability"), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and others.
Does my child need an IEP to qualify for FES-UA?
No. An IEP automatically qualifies your child, but it's not required. A diagnosis from a licensed physician, psychologist, or other qualified professional in one of the 23 qualifying categories is also sufficient. A 504 plan alone does not qualify.
Can my child get FES-UA with ADHD?
Yes. ADHD qualifies under the "other health impairment" category. You need a diagnosis from a licensed physician, psychologist, or psychiatrist documenting the ADHD diagnosis.
What is the age limit for FES-UA?
Children ages 3 through grade 12 are eligible. Students with an IEP can remain eligible through age 22 if they haven't yet graduated with a standard diploma.
Can military families get FES-UA?
Yes. Dependent children of active-duty military members with PCS orders to Florida are eligible for FES-UA, even before establishing permanent Florida residency. The child must have a qualifying diagnosis.
Can my child be in public school and get FES-UA?
No. FES-UA is for students who are NOT enrolled full-time in a traditional public school. Students must be homeschooled, enrolled in a private school, or using a combination of approved educational options.
When can I apply for FES-UA?
Applications open February 1 each year. The renewal deadline for existing families is April 30. New applicants have until November 15 to apply for the current school year.
Does a 504 plan qualify my child for FES-UA?
A 504 plan alone does not qualify. However, if your child has a documented diagnosis in one of the 23 qualifying categories (like ADHD, dyslexia, or autism), that diagnosis qualifies them even without an IEP.
Can my child qualify for FES-UA with dyslexia?
Yes. Dyslexia qualifies under the "specific learning disability" category, which also includes dyscalculia and developmental aphasia. A diagnosis from a licensed psychologist or school evaluation documenting the learning disability is required.
What if my child has a rare disease not listed?
The "rare diseases" category covers conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. that cause significant educational impact. If your child's condition qualifies as a rare disease under federal definitions, they may be eligible. Contact Step Up For Students to verify.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child meets the eligibility requirements above, the next step is applying through a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO). Most families apply through Step Up For Students, the largest SFO administering FES-UA.
Once approved, you can use your scholarship funds for specialized tutoring. We're a registered Step Up provider — you can book sessions through your EMA account with no out-of-pocket cost.
Book a Free Consultation →Last updated: May 2026