From McKay or Gardiner to FES-UA
What legacy families need to know
The scholarships merged. Your eligibility continued. Here's what changed.
💡 Quick Answer: What Happened to McKay and Gardiner?
They were consolidated into FES-UA. In 2021-2022, Florida merged the McKay Scholarship (1999, for students with IEPs/504 plans) and the Gardiner Scholarship (2014, ESA model for specific disabilities) into the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). If you were on McKay or Gardiner, you're now on FES-UA. Same eligibility pool, expanded uses, matrix-based funding. Legacy families have protections: funding floor from 2020-21 awards, cap exemptions for prior McKay recipients, and "Once In, Always In" renewal status.
If you've been using Florida special needs scholarships since the McKay or Gardiner days, you may still be adjusting to the FES-UA system. This guide explains what changed, what stayed the same, and what legacy families need to know.
Short version: FES-UA replaced both programs. Your eligibility continued. But some mechanics changed.
A Brief History
McKay Scholarship (1999)
- • Florida's first special needs scholarship
- • For students with an IEP or Section 504 plan
- • Primarily tuition-focused (paid private school tuition)
- • Amount based on the public school cost for that student
Gardiner Scholarship (2014)
- • Named after a Florida family whose son had special needs
- • Education Savings Account (ESA) model
- • For students with specific listed disabilities (not just IEP holders)
- • Flexible spending: tuition, therapy, curriculum, services
- • Amount based on matrix code (support intensity)
FES-UA (2021-2022)
- • Florida consolidated both scholarships via Senate Bill 48
- • Codified in Florida Statute 1002.394
- • Combines McKay's broad IEP/504 eligibility with Gardiner's ESA flexibility
- • All FES-UA students now use the ESA model with matrix-based funding
What Changed for Legacy Families
1. Account migration to EMA platform
If you were on Gardiner, you were already using an ESA-style account. Your transition was relatively smooth — same model, new name.
If you were on McKay, this was a bigger shift. McKay paid tuition directly. FES-UA uses an account-based system (EMA through Step Up, or SMP through AAA) where you manage funds across multiple expense categories.
2. Same eligibility (most McKay/Gardiner families auto-eligible)
If you qualified for McKay or Gardiner, you almost certainly qualify for FES-UA. The eligibility categories were carried forward, and the consolidation was designed to expand access, not restrict it. The 23 qualifying conditions under FES-UA include all prior McKay and Gardiner categories.
3. Expanded use of funds
FES-UA combines the best of both programs:
- • Like McKay: IEP holders qualify (not just specific diagnosis categories)
- • Like Gardiner: ESA flexibility (therapy, tutoring, curriculum, technology — not just tuition)
4. Matrix-based funding replaced McKay's tuition-based model
McKay funding was based on what the public school would have spent on your child. FES-UA funding is based on matrix code — the support intensity evaluation.
For some families, this meant more money. For others, less. The funding floor provision (see below) protects families who would have received more under the old model.
The "Once In, Always In" Provision
Here's an important protection for renewing students:
Renewal applicants don't need to requalify each year.
If you were approved for FES-UA (or McKay/Gardiner before it), you maintain eligibility as long as you:
- ✓ Complete annual renewal by the deadline
- ✓ Remain in a qualifying educational setting
- ✓ Continue to meet basic program requirements
There are exceptions for certain eligibility categories (high-risk children, some hospital/homebound students), but for most families: once you're in, you stay in. This means legacy families from McKay and Gardiner don't need to prove their child's disability again each year.
Cap-Exemption for Prior McKay Recipients
FES-UA has a statutory cap on new enrollments each year. But here's the protection for legacy families:
Prior McKay recipients (2021-22) are excluded from the FES-UA statutory cap.
This means if you were on McKay in 2021-22, you're not counted against the cap. Your renewal slot is protected. This provision ensures that the McKay-to-FES-UA transition didn't push legacy families into a capped queue.
The Funding Floor Protection
Here's another protection for families who've been on the program:
Students who received a scholarship in 2020-21 get the GREATER of:
- • The calculated FES-UA amount (based on matrix code), OR
- • Their 2020-21 award amount
This is the "funding floor." If your 2020-21 McKay or Gardiner award was higher than what FES-UA's matrix calculation would give you, you keep the higher amount. This prevents families from losing funding due to the transition.
Check your award letter or the FES-UA Award Amounts PDF for your specific protection level.
What to Expect If You've Been on the Program Since McKay/Gardiner Days
Your account is in EMA (Step Up) or SMP (AAA)
All legacy families have been migrated to one of the two Scholarship Funding Organizations:
- • Step Up For Students: Uses EMA (ClassWallet) with direct pay
- • AAA Scholarship Foundation: Uses SMP with reimbursement model
If you're unsure which SFO you're with, check your login. ClassWallet = Step Up. SMP portal = AAA.
Annual renewal
Every year, you complete a renewal application. Deadlines are the same for all FES-UA families (April 30 for renewals). Don't miss it — even legacy families can lose their slot by missing renewal.
Matrix code on file (may need updating)
Many legacy families have matrix evaluations from years ago. If your child's support needs have changed, your matrix code may be outdated.
Consider whether a re-evaluation is warranted. A higher matrix code means more funding. See our Request a Higher Matrix Code guide.
Common Confusions for Legacy Families
Outdated provider lists
If you're using old provider lists from McKay or Gardiner days, update them. Use Step Up's Find Providers tool or AAA's approved provider list for current options.
Old portal logins
MyFloridaScholarship.com (the old Gardiner portal) redirected to Step Up. If you have old bookmarks or logins, update them to the current EMA/ClassWallet system.
Old terminology
You'll still hear people say "Gardiner" or "McKay" — these terms are embedded in Florida's special needs community. But officially, it's all FES-UA now.
Assuming nothing changed
Some legacy families assume FES-UA is identical to what they had. It's mostly the same — but expense categories and processes have been standardized. Review the current rules.
Families in Orlando and Jacksonville who've been on scholarships since the McKay and Gardiner days are reviewing their matrix codes, exploring the full range of FES-UA expenses, and using Find Providers to discover new tutoring and therapy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the McKay Scholarship?
It was consolidated into FES-UA in 2021-2022.
What happened to the Gardiner Scholarship?
It was consolidated into FES-UA in 2021-2022.
Am I still eligible if I was on McKay or Gardiner?
Yes. The eligibility categories were carried forward. Most legacy families auto-qualified for FES-UA.
Do I need to reapply each year?
You complete an annual renewal, but you don't need to prove eligibility again (for most categories).
Did my funding amount change?
Possibly. FES-UA uses matrix-based funding. The funding floor provision protects families whose 2020-21 award was higher than their FES-UA calculation.
What's the "Once In, Always In" provision?
Renewal applicants maintain eligibility without requalifying each year, as long as they meet basic program requirements.
Are prior McKay recipients subject to the FES-UA cap?
No. 2021-22 McKay recipients are excluded from the statutory cap.
Should I update my matrix evaluation?
If your child's support needs have changed, yes. An outdated evaluation may mean you're underfunded.
Which SFO am I with?
If you log into ClassWallet, you're with Step Up. If you log into SMP, you're with AAA.
Can I use FES-UA for things McKay didn't cover?
Yes. FES-UA follows the ESA model — therapy, tutoring, curriculum, technology, and more. Not just tuition.
Ready to Get Started?
If you've been on Florida special needs scholarships since the McKay or Gardiner days, you know the system. But if you haven't explored the full range of FES-UA services, now's the time.
Book a Free Consultation →Sources: Florida Statutes 1002.394, Step Up For Students, FLDOE School Choice
Last updated: May 2026