FES-UA vs FES-EO vs PEP
Which Florida scholarship fits your family?
Florida offers several scholarship programs — but you can only hold one at a time. This guide helps you choose the right one.
💡 Quick Answer: Which Scholarship Should You Apply For?
If your child has a documented disability or IEP, apply for FES-UA — it offers the highest funding ($9,494–$39,289/year) and widest approved uses. If your child doesn't have a disability but you want private school, consider FES-EO. For homeschoolers without disabilities, PEP covers curriculum and materials. Florida law allows only one scholarship at a time.
Florida offers several scholarship programs for K-12 students, but choosing the right one matters — you can only hold one at a time. The three most common programs are FES-UA (for students with disabilities), FES-EO (for general private school enrollment), and PEP (for personalized education/homeschooling).
For detailed information on FES-UA eligibility requirements, see our complete eligibility guide.
Quick Decision Tree
→ Does your child have a documented disability or IEP?
Yes → Apply for FES-UA
No → Continue below
→ Do you want your child in private school?
Yes → Consider FES-EO (income limits may apply)
No → Continue below
→ Are you homeschooling?
Yes → Consider PEP (for curriculum and materials)
No → Your child may not qualify for these programs
→ Is your child a struggling reader in grades K-5?
Yes → NWSA (New Worlds Scholarship) may apply
Note: New applicants are not currently being funded for 2025-26.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | FES-UA | FES-EO | PEP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Students with disabilities | Any student seeking private school | Homeschool families |
| Eligibility | Diagnosis in 23 categories OR active IEP | Income limits for new applicants | Homeschool declaration filed |
| Annual award (2025-26) | $9,494 – $39,289 | ~$8,000 – $9,000 | ~$700 – $1,000 |
| Approved uses | Tutoring, therapy, curriculum, tuition, assistive tech, more | Private school tuition (primarily) | Curriculum, textbooks, materials |
| Payment method | Direct pay through EMA | Direct to school | Reimbursement or direct |
| Public school compatible? | No — must NOT be full-time | No — must NOT be full-time | No — homeschool required |
| Income cap | None | Yes (new applicants) | None |
FES-UA: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities
Best for:
Families with a child who has a documented disability (one of 23 qualifying diagnoses) or an active IEP.
Why it's usually the best choice for special needs families:
FES-UA offers the highest funding of any Florida scholarship — up to $39,289 per year for students with intensive support needs. The funding is based on your child's matrix code, not a flat amount, so children with greater needs receive more support.
The approved uses are also the broadest:
- ✓ Specialized tutoring (like what we provide)
- ✓ Speech therapy, OT, ABA therapy
- ✓ Private school tuition
- ✓ Curriculum and educational materials
- ✓ Assistive technology
- ✓ Transportation to providers
Payment flows through the EMA (Education Market Assistant) platform. When you work with an approved provider like us, we bill your EMA account directly — you never pay out of pocket or wait for reimbursement.
Families in Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg have been using FES-UA for tutoring services with great results.
FES-EO: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
Best for:
Families who want private school but whose child doesn't have a qualifying disability.
FES-EO is Florida's general-purpose private school scholarship. Unlike FES-UA, it's not designed specifically for students with disabilities — it's for any family that wants alternatives to public school.
Key differences from FES-UA:
- • Income limits apply (for new applicants, not renewals)
- • Lower funding — roughly $8,000–$9,000 per year (flat rate, not based on support needs)
- • Narrower approved uses — primarily private school tuition
- • No matrix codes — everyone at the same grade level receives similar amounts
Note: If your child has a disability, FES-UA almost always provides more funding and flexibility than FES-EO. Don't apply for FES-EO if FES-UA is available to you.
PEP: Personalized Education Program
Best for:
Homeschool families without a child with disabilities who need help covering curriculum costs.
PEP provides modest funding — typically $700–$1,000 per year — to help homeschool families purchase curriculum, textbooks, and educational materials.
Key differences from FES-UA:
- • Much lower funding — not designed for therapy or specialized services
- • Homeschool requirement — you must file a homeschool declaration
- • No disability requirement — but also no enhanced funding for special needs
Note: If your child has a disability and you're homeschooling, apply for FES-UA instead. The funding is dramatically higher and covers the same uses plus much more.
The "One Scholarship at a Time" Rule
Florida law is clear: a student can only hold one state scholarship at a time.
- • You cannot stack FES-UA + PEP
- • You cannot stack FES-UA + FES-EO
- • You must choose the program that best fits your child
For the vast majority of families with children with disabilities, FES-UA is the right choice. The funding levels dwarf the alternatives, and the approved uses are comprehensive.
Source: Florida Statutes 1002.394
When to Switch Programs
Sometimes your situation changes and you need to move from one program to another.
Switching TO FES-UA:
If your child develops a qualifying condition, gets diagnosed, or receives an IEP after enrolling in a different program — switch to FES-UA. The funding increase is almost always worth it.
Switching FROM FES-UA:
Rarely makes sense. The only scenario where you might consider it: your child no longer has a qualifying disability (the condition resolved or was misdiagnosed), and you want to continue homeschooling with PEP support.
How to switch:
- Apply for the new program through the same SFO (Step Up or AAA) or a different one
- Complete the application process for the new program
- Your current scholarship ends when the new one activates
- Timing matters — do this during the application window (February 1 – April 30 for renewals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between FES-UA and FES-EO?
FES-UA is for students with documented disabilities and offers higher funding ($9,494–$39,289) with broader approved uses including therapy and tutoring. FES-EO is for any student seeking private school, has income limits, and offers lower funding (~$8,000–$9,000) primarily for tuition.
Can my child have both FES-UA and PEP?
No. Florida law allows only one state scholarship at a time. If your child qualifies for FES-UA, that's almost always the better choice due to significantly higher funding.
Which scholarship has the highest funding?
FES-UA, by far. Maximum awards reach $39,289/year (Matrix 255, Monroe County). FES-EO maxes out around $9,000, and PEP around $1,000.
Does FES-EO cover tutoring?
FES-EO is primarily for private school tuition. FES-UA has much broader approved uses including specialized tutoring, therapy, and educational services.
Can I use FES-UA for homeschooling?
Yes. FES-UA funds can be used for curriculum, materials, and tutoring services while homeschooling. You don't have to be in private school to use FES-UA.
What if my child has ADHD — which program?
ADHD qualifies for FES-UA under "other health impairment." Apply for FES-UA to access the higher funding levels and broader approved uses.
What if my child has dyslexia — which program?
Dyslexia qualifies for FES-UA under "specific learning disability." FES-UA is the right choice.
Can I switch from PEP to FES-UA if my child gets diagnosed?
Yes. If your child receives a qualifying diagnosis, apply for FES-UA during the next application window. The switch happens when your FES-UA application is approved.
Is there an income limit for FES-UA?
No. FES-UA has no income cap. Eligibility is based on your child's disability, not household income.
What is NWSA and should I consider it?
NWSA (New Worlds Scholarship Account) is for struggling readers in K-5. However, new applicants are not currently being funded for 2025-26. If your child is a struggling reader AND has a qualifying disability, apply for FES-UA instead.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child has a disability, FES-UA is almost certainly the right program. The funding levels, approved uses, and direct-pay convenience make it the strongest option for special needs families in Florida.
We're a registered Step Up provider — if you're on FES-UA, we can bill your EMA account directly for specialized tutoring. No out-of-pocket cost, no reimbursement wait.
Book a Free Consultation →Last updated: May 2026