FES-UA for Florida Military Families
PCS, residency, and scholarship continuity
You can apply before you move. Here's how the military provisions work.
💡 Quick Answer: Can Military Families Apply Before Moving?
Yes. Dependent children of active-duty military with PCS orders to Florida are eligible for FES-UA before physically residing in the state — this is a major and underused benefit. You'll need PCS orders, a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), and the Florida unit address on your application. Once you arrive in Florida, contact Step Up at 1-877-735-7837 to update your residency documentation.
If you're an active-duty military family with a special needs child — whether you're PCSing into Florida, currently stationed here, or deployed elsewhere with Florida as your home of record — you have unique FES-UA eligibility options.
This guide covers the military-specific provisions, documentation requirements, and how to maintain scholarship continuity through PCS moves.
The Military Advantage: Pre-Residency Eligibility
Here's the provision many military families don't know about:
Dependent children of active-duty military members with PCS orders to Florida are eligible for FES-UA before establishing Florida residency.
This means:
- ✓ You can apply from your current duty station
- ✓ You can get approved before your move
- ✓ Your child can start services immediately upon arrival
This is huge for families with special needs children. Instead of moving, waiting months for residency, then waiting more months for scholarship approval — you can have everything in place before you arrive.
Required Documentation for Incoming Military Families
To apply for FES-UA before establishing Florida residency, you'll need:
1. PCS Orders
Official orders showing your assignment to a Florida installation. The orders must show:
- • Service member's name
- • Dependent information (or separate dependent verification)
- • Florida assignment/duty station
2. Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
Your most recent LES showing active-duty status.
3. Florida Unit Address
On your application, use the Florida unit address as your prospective address. You'll update to your actual Florida residence once established.
4. Child's Disability Documentation
Same as any FES-UA applicant:
- • IEP with qualifying eligibility category, OR
- • Medical diagnosis from licensed physician, OR
- • Psychoeducational evaluation
See our FES-UA Eligibility Guide for full documentation requirements.
The Two Military Scenarios
Scenario 1: PCSing INTO Florida (not yet established residency)
You're currently stationed elsewhere. You have orders to Florida. Your child has a qualifying disability.
Your path:
- Apply for FES-UA using PCS orders + LES
- Use Florida unit address on application
- Get approved before moving
- Arrive in Florida
- Update Step Up with your actual Florida address (1-877-735-7837)
- Begin using services
Key advantage: No waiting period for residency. You're eligible from the moment you have orders.
Scenario 2: Stationed OUTSIDE Florida (renewal applicants)
You were on FES-UA while stationed in Florida. You PCS'd out. Florida remains your legal residence/home of record.
Your path:
- • You can continue as a renewal applicant
- • Your legal residence/home of record must remain Florida
- • Annual renewal as usual
- • Services may be limited by physical location
The catch: This only works for renewals. You can't be a first-time applicant from outside Florida unless you have PCS orders TO Florida.
What Disqualifies First-Time Applicants
This distinction matters:
✓ Eligible first-time applicant:
- • Active-duty with PCS orders TO Florida
- • Has not yet moved but has orders in hand
✗ NOT eligible as first-time applicant:
- • Active-duty currently stationed outside Florida
- • Legal domicile is Florida, but no current orders to Florida
- • Hoping to apply based on Florida residency alone while physically elsewhere
The military pre-residency provision is specifically for families moving TO Florida with orders. It's not a general exemption for anyone with Florida ties.
After PCS Arrival: Update Your Information
Once you arrive in Florida and establish residency:
- 1 Contact Step Up: 1-877-735-7837
- 2 Provide updated documentation:
- • Florida driver's license or state ID
- • Florida address verification (utility bill, lease, etc.)
- • Updated contact information
- 3 Confirm your account status
This transitions you from "military pre-residency" status to standard Florida residency. Your scholarship continues without interruption.
Combining FES-UA with TRICARE-Funded Services
Military families often use both FES-UA and TRICARE for their child's support services. Here's how they work together:
TRICARE covers:
- • Medical therapies (speech, OT, PT) prescribed for medical necessity
- • ABA therapy (through ECHO program for autism)
- • Medical equipment and devices
FES-UA covers:
- • Educational therapies
- • Tutoring and instructional services
- • Curriculum and materials
- • Private school tuition
- • Educational technology
The overlap question:
You generally can't bill both TRICARE and FES-UA for the same service at the same time. But you can:
- • Use TRICARE for medically-prescribed therapy sessions
- • Use FES-UA for educationally-focused tutoring
- • Use FES-UA for services TRICARE doesn't cover (tutoring, curriculum, private school)
Many military families use TRICARE to maximize medical therapy coverage, then use FES-UA for the educational supports TRICARE doesn't touch.
School Continuity: Timing the Application
The goal is seamless support for your child. Here's how to time it:
Ideal timeline:
- When you receive orders: Start FES-UA application immediately
- Before DITY/move: Get approval confirmation
- Upon arrival: Update address with Step Up; enroll in private school or register homeschool
- Within first week: Begin tutoring/therapy services
What to coordinate:
- • If enrolling in private school: confirm school is FLDOE-listed and accepts FES-UA
- • If homeschooling: file Notice of Intent with Florida county
- • If transferring providers: find Florida-based therapists and tutors before arrival
Families in Jacksonville (near NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport) and Pensacola (near NAS Pensacola) often PCS with special needs children — we work with military families to ensure tutoring continuity through moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can military families apply for FES-UA before moving to Florida?
Yes. Dependent children of active-duty members with PCS orders to Florida can apply before establishing residency.
What documentation do I need to apply with PCS orders?
PCS orders, Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), and the Florida unit address on your application.
Can I keep FES-UA if I PCS out of Florida?
Renewal applicants can continue if Florida remains their legal residence/home of record. First-time applicants cannot apply from outside Florida without orders TO Florida.
Do I need to update Step Up after I arrive?
Yes. Call 1-877-735-7837 to update your address and provide Florida residency documentation.
Can I use both TRICARE and FES-UA?
Yes, but not for the same service at the same time. Many families use TRICARE for medical therapies and FES-UA for educational supports.
Which Florida bases have families using FES-UA?
All major installations — NAS Jacksonville, NAS Pensacola, MacDill AFB, Patrick SFB, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, and others.
How long does approval take for military families?
Same as other applicants — typically 4-8 weeks, though it can vary. Apply as soon as you have orders.
Can Guard/Reserve families use the PCS provision?
The pre-residency provision is for active-duty with PCS orders. Guard/Reserve families on orders to Florida may qualify — contact Step Up to confirm your specific situation.
What if my orders change after I'm approved?
Contact Step Up. If you no longer PCS to Florida, your pre-residency eligibility would not apply. If you're already a Florida resident, standard rules apply.
Does FES-UA transfer to other states?
No. FES-UA is a Florida-specific scholarship. If you PCS out of Florida, you'd need to find equivalent programs in your new state.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're PCSing to Florida with a special needs child — or you're already here and exploring FES-UA — we can help with tutoring services that start when you need them.
Book a Free Consultation →Sources: Florida Statutes 1002.394, Step Up For Students, Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission
Last updated: May 2026