The Complete FES-UA Guide:
Using Step Up For Students for Tutoring
Everything Florida parents need to know — matrix levels, EMA, direct pay, and how to start without paying out of pocket.
Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is one of the most generous special education scholarships in the country. But the process — applications, EMA accounts, matrix levels, provider searches — can feel overwhelming. This guide explains everything in plain language so you can use every dollar your child qualifies for.
In This Guide
What Is FES-UA and Who Administers It?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is a Florida state scholarship program that funds educational services for students with disabilities. It replaced the former Gardiner Scholarship and is now the largest special education scholarship program in Florida.
Here's the key structure you need to understand:
The State of Florida
Creates and funds the scholarship program through the Florida Department of Education. Sets the rules for eligibility, what expenses are allowed, and how funds can be used.
Step Up For Students
A nonprofit scholarship-funding organization (SFO) that administers FES-UA on behalf of the state. They handle applications, manage your account, approve providers, and process all payments through their EMA platform.
You (The Parent)
Control a scholarship account funded by the state. You direct those funds toward approved services and providers — including tutoring — using the EMA spending account system.
Who Qualifies for FES-UA?
Your child may qualify if they have a current IEP or 504 plan, or if they have a documented diagnosis in any of the following categories:
Income limits: FES-UA has no income cap. Families at any income level can apply. Eligibility is based on your child's disability status, not household income. Students must be Florida residents and eligible for K-12 enrollment (ages 3–22 in some cases).
Matrix Levels and Funding Amounts
How much FES-UA money does your child receive? That depends on their matrix level — a rating assigned based on the intensity of support your child needs. Higher matrix levels mean higher scholarship amounts.
The matrix is determined by evaluating your child across several domains: self-care, ambulation, communication, and behavior. The evaluation is conducted by the school district (if your child has an IEP) or can be done independently through a licensed evaluator.
FES-UA Funding by Matrix Level (Approximate Annual Amounts)
| Matrix Level | Support Intensity | Approximate Annual Award |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Minimal support needs | ~$8,000 – $9,500 |
| Level 2 | Mild support needs | ~$9,500 – $11,000 |
| Level 3 | Moderate support needs | ~$11,000 – $14,000 |
| Level 4 | Significant support needs | ~$14,000 – $17,000 |
| Level 5 | Intensive support needs | ~$17,000 – $20,000 |
| Level 6 | Maximum support needs | $20,000 – $30,000+ |
Note: Exact amounts change each year based on state funding formulas. Visit stepupforstudents.org or your Step Up parent account for your child's current award amount.
💡 Your matrix level may be wrong — and lower than it should be
Matrix levels are assigned based on evaluation data. If your child's last evaluation is old or incomplete, or if their needs have changed, you may be receiving less funding than your child actually qualifies for. You can request a new evaluation from your school district at any time — this is a free, legally protected right. An updated evaluation reflecting current needs can move your child to a higher matrix level and a larger scholarship.
📋 What counts toward your matrix score
The matrix assesses four main areas: (1) Self-Care — eating, dressing, toileting, hygiene; (2) Ambulation — moving, gross/fine motor; (3) Communication — receptive and expressive language; (4) Behavior — self-regulation, social interactions, safety. If your child has significant challenges in any of these areas, make sure that's documented clearly in their evaluation. Vague descriptions lead to lower matrix scores.
How EMA Works — MyScholarShop vs. Find Providers
Once your child is approved for FES-UA, Step Up For Students loads the scholarship funds into an EMA (Education Management Account) — a restricted-use spending account. Think of it as a prepaid debit account that only works for approved educational expenses and approved providers.
EMA is managed through the Step Up parent portal. Inside that portal, you'll encounter two different ways to spend your funds:
MyScholarShop
An online marketplace pre-loaded with approved products and services. You shop directly from vetted vendors — curriculum materials, therapy tools, technology, and some service providers who have listed their offerings there.
Best for: Curriculum packages, educational software, books, and approved products with defined SKUs.
Limitation: Not all service providers list on MyScholarShop. Many excellent tutoring providers — including Special Education Resource LLC — operate through the direct "Find Providers" path instead.
Find Providers (EMA Direct)
A searchable directory of Step Up-approved service providers. Once you select and authorize a provider, they submit invoices directly to your EMA account. Funds transfer from your account to the provider. You never pay out-of-pocket.
Best for: Tutoring, therapy services, educational consultants, and other recurring service providers.
How it works for tutoring: You find the provider, authorize them on your account, they submit session invoices, and EMA pays them directly. You review and approve charges in your portal.
The important thing to understand about EMA:
You are not reimbursed after paying out of pocket. EMA is designed so that approved providers bill your account directly. If a provider asks you to pay them first and then submit for reimbursement, that's a sign they may not be a properly registered EMA provider — and you should verify before proceeding.
There are some limited exceptions (certain purchases, travel expenses) that use a reimbursement process — but tutoring sessions from a registered provider should never require you to pay upfront.
How to Find and Pay Approved Tutoring Providers
Not every tutor or tutoring company is eligible to receive FES-UA funds. Providers must be registered and approved through Step Up For Students' EMA system. Here's how to make sure you're working with a legitimate, fully registered provider.
How to Verify a Provider is EMA-Approved
Log into your Step Up parent portal
Go to stepupforstudents.org and sign into your account. Navigate to your child's EMA section.
Use the "Find Providers" search tool
Search by provider name, service type, or zip code. Only registered EMA providers appear in these results. If a provider doesn't appear, they cannot be paid through EMA.
Look for "Special Education Resource LLC" in the directory
We are a fully registered EMA provider. Search for "Special Education Resource" in the Find Providers tool. You can also contact us directly and we'll walk you through the authorization process.
Authorize the provider on your account
When you find a provider, you must formally authorize them. This creates the billing relationship that allows them to submit charges to your EMA account.
⚠️ Beware of providers who aren't EMA-registered
Florida has no shortage of tutors who claim to "accept FES-UA." But if they're not registered in the Step Up EMA system, they literally cannot be paid through your scholarship account — it's a technical impossibility, not just a policy.
If a tutor says they "accept FES-UA" but tells you to pay them directly and submit for reimbursement, ask them specifically: "Are you registered as an EMA provider with Step Up For Students?" If they don't know what EMA is, that's your answer.
About Special Education Resource LLC
We are a fully registered Step Up For Students EMA provider. When you authorize us in your parent portal, we handle all invoicing directly. You review charges in your account, approve them, and we get paid from your EMA balance — you never write a check or pay out of pocket for tutoring sessions.
We have 45+ certified special education tutors serving families across all of Florida, fully online. Average student tenure: 100+ sessions. We've supported 1,500+ families with documented successes.
Free Consultation — No Commitment →Step-by-Step: Start Tutoring With No Out-of-Pocket Cost
Here's the complete process from first contact to your child's first session — without you spending a dollar.
Verify your FES-UA is active and funded
Log into your Step Up For Students parent portal and confirm your child's scholarship is active for the current school year. Check that your EMA account shows a positive balance. If you don't have an account yet, apply at stepupforstudents.org — approvals are rolling, not limited to open enrollment periods.
Book a free consultation with us
Contact Special Education Resource LLC for a no-cost initial consultation. We'll talk about your child's specific needs, learning profile, and goals. We'll also confirm your EMA status and walk you through the authorization process. Call (844) 773-3822 or book online here.
Authorize Special Education Resource LLC in your EMA portal
Log into your Step Up parent portal and go to the "Find Providers" section. Search for "Special Education Resource" and select our listing. Click "Authorize Provider" — this creates the billing connection that allows us to submit invoices directly to your EMA account.
We match your child with the right tutor
After the consultation, we match your child with a certified special education tutor based on their specific profile — learning disability, academic level, personality, and availability. All of our tutors are special education credentialed; many hold advanced degrees or specialty certifications in areas like Orton-Gillingham, ABA, or executive function coaching.
Sessions begin — we handle all billing
Your child attends sessions online via Zoom. After each session (or in batches), we submit an invoice to your EMA account. You'll see the charge appear in your portal — you review it and approve it (or it auto-approves based on your settings). Funds transfer directly from your EMA balance to us. You never see a bill.
That's it. Your child gets specialized tutoring at no cost to you.
Your scholarship funds educational services it was designed to fund. No forms. No reimbursement wait. No out-of-pocket expense. Just sessions that move your child forward.
Common Mistakes Florida FES-UA Parents Make
These are the most frequent mistakes we see — and how to avoid every one of them.
Letting EMA funds expire unused
FES-UA scholarship funds are issued per school year. Unused balances typically do not carry over to the following year in full. Families who don't start using services until March or April lose months of potential tutoring. If your child's scholarship is active, start using it now — every unused month is lost value.
Using providers who aren't EMA-registered
Paying a tutor out-of-pocket and hoping to get reimbursed later almost never works for tutoring services. EMA reimbursement is for specific approved expense categories — ongoing tutoring sessions typically require direct provider billing. If your tutor isn't in the EMA system, you're paying out of pocket and leaving scholarship money unspent.
Accepting a low matrix level without challenging it
Matrix levels are assigned from evaluation data that can be outdated or incomplete. Many families are receiving $8,000–$10,000 when their child's documented needs would support $14,000–$17,000+. Request a current evaluation, make sure all significant needs are documented clearly, and submit for a matrix review if the current level doesn't reflect your child's actual support needs.
Not approving invoices in the portal (causing payment delays)
When a provider submits an invoice, it may appear in your portal as "pending your approval." If you don't log in and approve it, payment stalls and so do services. Check your Step Up portal at least once a week — or configure auto-approval settings if you trust the provider.
Using all funds on products instead of services
MyScholarShop makes it easy to spend your scholarship on curriculum packages, apps, and materials. These can be valuable — but they're not the same as 1-on-1 professional tutoring. A box of phonics materials doesn't replace an expert tutor. Prioritize high-impact services first, then use remaining funds for supplemental materials.
Waiting for the school year to start before applying
FES-UA applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis (subject to available funding). You don't have to wait for September. Families who apply in the spring can potentially have services running before the fall school year even begins — giving their child a head start.
What to Do If a Purchase or Invoice Is Denied
EMA purchase denials happen — and they're fixable. Here's how to diagnose and resolve the most common ones.
Denial reason: "Provider not approved"
This means the provider who submitted the invoice isn't in Step Up's EMA system for the service category they billed. Contact the provider and ask them to confirm their EMA provider registration status and the specific service categories they're approved for. If they're not registered, find a registered alternative.
Resolution time: Immediate once the right provider is used.
Denial reason: "Insufficient balance"
Your EMA account doesn't have enough funds to cover the charge. This can happen if your scholarship year hasn't been fully funded yet, if prior charges depleted the balance, or if you're mid-year and near your annual limit. Check your account balance in the portal and plan your remaining sessions accordingly.
Resolution: Monitor balance and pace remaining sessions to stay within the annual award amount.
Denial reason: "Service category not eligible"
The invoice was submitted under a service category that isn't approved under FES-UA guidelines. Tutoring, when coded correctly as an educational service, is generally covered. If you receive this denial, ask Step Up directly which service categories the invoice was submitted under and request clarification on approved categories for your child's scholarship.
Resolution time: 1–2 business days to recode and resubmit.
Denial reason: "Scholarship not active" or "Renewal required"
FES-UA scholarships must be renewed each school year. If you haven't completed the annual renewal process in your Step Up portal, services will be denied even if you were active last year. Log in and check your scholarship status. Renewal is typically quick but must be initiated by the parent.
Resolution: Complete renewal online; funding typically restores within days.
When in doubt, call Step Up directly
Step Up For Students has a parent support line. They can diagnose exactly why a charge was denied and tell you specifically what's needed to resolve it. Don't rely solely on the denial message — call and get a human explanation.
We're also happy to help troubleshoot EMA issues for families we work with. Contact us or call (844) 773-3822.
How to Check Your FES-UA Scholarship Balance
Knowing your balance prevents surprises and helps you plan your child's services for the year. Here's how to find it.
Visit stepupforstudents.org
Go to the main Step Up website and click "Log In" at the top. Use the parent portal login, not the provider login.
Select your child's scholarship
If you have multiple children or scholarship types, select the FES-UA entry for the child you want to check.
Navigate to "EMA Account" or "Account Balance"
The EMA section shows: your total annual award, what's been spent, and your current available balance. You'll also see all recent transactions and pending charges.
Review transaction history
Every invoice submitted by your providers appears here with date, provider name, amount, and status. This is your complete spending record. If you see anything you don't recognize, contact Step Up immediately.
Annual Award
Your total scholarship for the school year — set by your matrix level. This is the maximum you can spend.
Spent to Date
Total approved charges processed so far this year. Includes all provider payments and product purchases.
Available Balance
What's left to spend this year. This is the number to track if you're planning services for the rest of the year.
Tip: Set a calendar reminder. Check your EMA balance at the start of each month. This helps you catch underspending early (when you have time to add more sessions) and avoids surprises if you're approaching your annual limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Real questions from Florida parents using FES-UA for tutoring.
Can I use FES-UA for online tutoring, or does it have to be in-person?
Online tutoring through a registered EMA provider is fully eligible under FES-UA. Step Up For Students approves online service providers, and there is no requirement that services be delivered in person. All tutoring through Special Education Resource LLC is conducted online via Zoom — and it's fully billable to your EMA account.
My child is in public school. Can we still use FES-UA for tutoring?
Yes — FES-UA can be used alongside public school enrollment in most cases. The scholarship funds supplemental educational services, and many FES-UA families use it to pay for tutoring that supplements what their child receives at school. Eligibility for supplemental use vs. full private school use has some nuances — confirm your child's enrollment status with Step Up when you apply. Many families in public school successfully use EMA for tutoring without any issue.
We're homeschooling. Does FES-UA still apply?
Yes. FES-UA is heavily used by Florida homeschool families. The scholarship can fund tutoring, curriculum, therapies, and other educational services regardless of whether your child attends a school or is home educated. This is one of the primary use cases Step Up For Students supports, and the EMA platform works identically for homeschool families.
How long does FES-UA approval take? My child needs help now.
Application processing times vary. Step Up For Students has worked to reduce turnaround, but in practice many families wait 4–8 weeks from application to receiving their first funding. If your child needs help urgently while you wait for FES-UA approval, contact us anyway — we can discuss bridging options and make sure we're ready to start the moment your scholarship is active.
Can I use FES-UA for multiple providers at the same time — like tutoring and speech therapy together?
Yes. You can authorize multiple providers simultaneously and split your scholarship across different services. Many families use FES-UA to fund tutoring, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral services, and curriculum all from the same EMA account. The only limit is your total annual award amount — once the balance is spent, no more charges are processed for that year.
What if my child doesn't have an official diagnosis yet? Can we still apply?
FES-UA requires a documented disability. If your child has an active IEP or 504 plan — even without a formal diagnosis — that documentation may be sufficient for the application. If you have neither, the fastest path is to request an evaluation from your public school district (free, legally protected right). The district must evaluate within a required timeframe after your written request.
Do unused funds roll over to the next school year?
Generally no — or only partially. FES-UA is structured as an annual scholarship, and any unspent balance at the end of the scholarship year typically does not carry over in full. Step Up For Students policy on rollover has changed over time, so verify current rules in your account. The practical advice: use your scholarship consistently throughout the year. Don't save funds expecting to carry them over.
What if my child doesn't like their assigned tutor?
Tutor fit matters enormously — especially for kids with learning differences. If a match isn't working, we reassign. This is part of our standard process, not a special request. Just let us know what isn't working — is it the tutor's communication style, pacing, subject expertise, or personality fit? We'll use that feedback to find a better match quickly.
Is there a limit on how many tutoring sessions FES-UA will cover per week?
There's no weekly session limit set by FES-UA — the constraint is your annual scholarship balance. If your child is at a Level 3 matrix with $13,000 in annual funding, you can run as many sessions per week as that balance supports across the full year. Many families do 2–3 sessions per week and find their scholarship comfortably covers a full 9-month tutoring schedule with funds remaining for other services.
Ready to use your FES-UA scholarship for tutoring?
Special Education Resource LLC is a registered EMA provider. We handle all billing directly — you authorize us once and never deal with invoices. Free consultation, no commitment.
Your Scholarship Is Waiting. Let's Use It.
The average FES-UA family leaves thousands of dollars of scholarship value unspent each year — either by starting late, using the wrong providers, or not knowing their options.
If your child has FES-UA, you have access to some of the most specialized educational support available — fully funded. A free consultation with us takes 20 minutes and costs nothing. You'll leave knowing exactly how to use your scholarship, what your child qualifies for, and what to expect from tutoring.
Book a Free Consultation →📞 (844) 773-3822 — Free consultation. No out-of-pocket cost with FES-UA.
Special Education Resource LLC is an approved Step Up For Students EMA provider. We serve families statewide across all of Florida, fully online.