Step Up vs AAA Scholarship Foundation
Which SFO should you apply through?
Both organizations administer Florida's FES-UA scholarship. The difference is how you manage your account and pay for services.
💡 Quick Answer: Step Up or AAA?
Both administer the same Florida scholarships (FES-UA, FES-EO, FTC). The key difference is payment: Step Up uses EMA with direct pay through Find Providers, so approved providers bill your account directly. AAA uses reimbursement — you pay first, submit documentation, and get repaid. For families who want seamless tutoring with no out-of-pocket cost, Step Up's direct-pay model is typically easier.
When you apply for Florida's FES-UA scholarship, you don't apply directly to the state — you apply through a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO). The two SFOs that administer FES-UA are:
- • Step Up For Students (SUFS) — the larger, more established SFO
- • AAA Scholarship Foundation — a smaller alternative
Both organizations administer the same state-funded scholarships. Your child's eligibility and funding amount are determined by Florida law, not by which SFO you choose. So why does it matter?
The difference is in how you manage your account and pay for services. For families using FES-UA for tutoring, this difference is significant. For details on how FES-UA works once you're enrolled, see our complete Step Up For Students guide.
What Both SFOs Administer
Step Up and AAA both administer:
FES-UA
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities
FES-EO
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
FTC
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
The funding amounts, eligibility requirements, and approved uses are identical regardless of which SFO you use — those are set by Florida law. The difference is in the platforms and processes each SFO uses.
The Key Difference: Payment Method
Step Up For Students: EMA Direct Pay
Step Up uses a platform called EMA (Education Market Assistant). Within EMA, there are two ways to spend:
- 📦 MyScholarShop — An online marketplace for approved products (curriculum, materials, technology)
- 👥 Find Providers — A directory of approved service providers (tutoring, therapy, etc.)
When you use Find Providers, you authorize a provider, and they bill your EMA account directly. You review charges in your portal and approve them. Funds transfer automatically. You never pay out of pocket.
AAA Scholarship Foundation: Reimbursement Model
AAA uses a platform called SMP (Scholarship Management Portal). The process is different:
- 1 You pay the provider out of pocket
- 2 You submit receipts and documentation to AAA
- 3 AAA reviews and approves
- 4 AAA reimburses you
This means you need cash on hand to pay upfront, and there's a wait time for reimbursement.
Practical Impact for Tutoring
If you're using FES-UA for specialized tutoring, here's what each SFO looks like in practice:
✅ With Step Up
- 1 Find us in EMA → Find Providers
- 2 Authorize "Special Education Resource LLC" on your account
- 3 Your child attends sessions
- 4 We submit invoices directly to EMA
- 5 You see charges in your portal (can configure auto-approve)
- 6 Done — no money changes hands between you and us
💰 With AAA
- 1 Contact us to discuss tutoring
- 2 Pay for sessions out of pocket
- 3 Get itemized receipts from us
- 4 Submit documentation to AAA's SMP portal
- 5 Wait for AAA to review and approve
- 6 Receive reimbursement (timeline varies)
Both work. But if you want a frictionless experience with no upfront cost, Step Up's direct-pay model is typically easier.
Application Process & Transfers
Application Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | February 1 |
| Renewal deadline | April 30 |
| New applicant deadline | November 15 |
Both SFOs follow similar timelines aligned with state requirements. The application process is similar:
- Create an account on the SFO's website
- Submit your child's information and disability documentation
- Wait for eligibility verification
- Once approved, funds are loaded into your account
Transferring Between SFOs
Yes. If you're unhappy with your current SFO, you can transfer to the other one.
What transfers:
- Your child's scholarship eligibility
- Your renewal status (if applicable)
- Your child's matrix code
What to know:
- Transfers can take several weeks to process
- Best done during the renewal window (February – April)
- You may experience a gap in service during the transition
- Contact the new SFO to initiate the transfer
Current Context: SUFS Litigation
You may have heard about legal issues involving Step Up For Students. Here are the basic facts without commentary:
- • Step Up For Students has faced litigation related to scholarship administration
- • Some families have chosen to transfer to AAA as a result
- • Both SFOs continue to operate and administer Florida scholarships
- • The state continues to fund scholarships through both organizations
We're not taking a position on these legal matters. We're simply noting that both SFOs remain active options for Florida families.
Working With Us: Step Up vs AAA Families
Transparency: We are currently registered as a Step Up For Students provider with direct pay through EMA. This means:
For Step Up families:
- We appear in Find Providers
- You authorize us on your account
- We bill EMA directly
- No out-of-pocket cost for you
- Seamless, automated process
For AAA families:
- We can still serve your child
- The billing path is different
- You would pay us, then submit for reimbursement through AAA
- Contact us to discuss — we'll walk you through the process
We serve families across Florida — including Pensacola, West Palm Beach, and everywhere in between — regardless of which SFO they use.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Step Up if:
- You want direct pay with no out-of-pocket cost
- You plan to use tutoring or therapy services
- You prefer a larger organization with more provider options
- You want the EMA/Find Providers platform
Choose AAA if:
- You're comfortable with reimbursement processes
- You have specific reasons to prefer a smaller SFO
- You've had issues with Step Up in the past
- You prefer more direct control over payments
For most families using FES-UA for specialized tutoring, Step Up's direct-pay model is the easier path. But both SFOs administer the same scholarships with the same funding — the choice is about process preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Step Up and AAA?
Both administer the same Florida scholarships (FES-UA, FES-EO, FTC). The main difference is payment: Step Up uses EMA with direct pay to providers, while AAA uses a reimbursement model where you pay first and get repaid.
Is Special Education Resource registered with Step Up?
Yes. We're a registered Step Up For Students provider with direct pay through EMA. Step Up families can authorize us in Find Providers and we bill their account directly.
Can I use Special Education Resource if I'm with AAA?
Yes. We can serve AAA families, but the billing process is different — you would pay us and then submit for reimbursement through AAA's SMP portal. Contact us to discuss the details.
Can I transfer from Step Up to AAA or vice versa?
Yes. You can transfer between SFOs. The process takes several weeks and is best done during the renewal window. Contact the new SFO to initiate the transfer.
Do I get more money with one SFO vs the other?
No. Your child's funding amount is determined by Florida law (matrix code, county, grade band) — not by which SFO you use. The same child gets the same amount regardless of SFO.
Which SFO is better for tutoring?
For most families, Step Up's direct-pay model is easier for tutoring services. You authorize the provider, they bill your account, done. With AAA, you pay first and wait for reimbursement.
Are application deadlines different for Step Up vs AAA?
No. Both follow the same state deadlines: applications open February 1, renewals due April 30, new applicants can apply until November 15.
What happens to my scholarship if I transfer SFOs?
Your eligibility, renewal status, and matrix code transfer with you. There may be a gap in service during the transition (several weeks). It's best to transfer during the renewal window.
Is Step Up For Students having legal problems?
Step Up For Students has faced litigation. Both SFOs continue to operate and administer state-funded scholarships. We're not taking a position on legal matters — just noting both remain active options.
Which SFO do most families use?
Step Up For Students is the larger SFO and serves the majority of Florida scholarship families. AAA is a smaller alternative.
Ready to Get Started?
Whichever SFO you're with — or plan to join — we can help your child access specialized tutoring through their FES-UA scholarship.
If you're with Step Up, the process is seamless: authorize us in Find Providers and we handle the rest. If you're with AAA, contact us and we'll walk you through how to work together.
Book a Free Consultation →Last updated: May 2026