FES-UA Tutoring in Lakeland, Florida
Special needs tutoring for Lakeland families using the Step Up For Students scholarship. We're an approved provider — direct pay, no reimbursement wait.
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Lakeland families can use their FES-UA scholarship with us — direct pay through Step Up's EMA platform, no reimbursement wait. We serve Polk County students with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. Specialized online tutoring that works alongside school services.
FES-UA Tutoring for Lakeland Families
Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, sitting between Tampa and Orlando along the I-4 corridor. Polk County Public Schools serves over 105,000 students — a large, geographically sprawling district that spans from urban Lakeland to rural communities across the county. For families in Lakeland whose children have learning differences, the challenge is often finding specialized ESE support that goes beyond what a stretched district can provide.
Lakeland has a strong faith community and a culture that values hard work — families here often push through challenges before asking for help. When they do reach out, they're usually looking for someone who will give their child real, personalized attention and actually move the needle. That's our specialty: targeted tutoring for autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and learning disabilities that produces measurable progress, not just time-filling worksheets.
Lakeland FES-UA families can access our services at no upfront cost — we're an approved direct-pay provider with Step Up For Students. Sessions are online and can be scheduled around school, therapy, and the rest of a busy family's life.
🏫 Polk County Public Schools & Special Ed
- District: Polk County Public Schools
- Students: ~105,000 enrolled; spans urban Lakeland and rural areas across a large county
- Special Ed Program: ESE services — autism programs, specific learning disabilities, speech-language, and intellectual disabilities
- Notable: Polk County has an active parent advocate network and several specialized ESE centers in Lakeland; the district has faced scrutiny over wait times for evaluations
- Our Edge: No waitlist, immediate specialist matching, structured literacy for dyslexia (Orton-Gillingham trained), online sessions across the I-4 corridor
💰 FES-UA Funding in Polk County for 2025-26
Florida calculates FES-UA awards by county, grade band, and matrix level. For Lakeland families in Polk County, the 2025-26 amounts are:
| Matrix Level | K-3 | 4-8 | 9-12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 251-253 (Mild to Moderate) | $10,323 | $9,743 | $9,592 |
| 254 (Substantial) | $21,646 | ||
| 255 (Intensive) | $34,835 | ||
Source: Step Up For Students 2025-26 FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts
Our Services
Autism Tutoring
Academic support designed around your child's learning style and sensory needs.
Dyslexia Tutoring
Structured literacy using Orton-Gillingham and other evidence-based methods.
ADHD Tutoring
Strategies that work with your child's brain, building focus and organization.
Math Tutoring
Patient, clear instruction for students who struggle with math concepts.
Reading Tutoring
Phonics, fluency, and comprehension support for struggling readers.
Executive Function
Help with planning, time management, and organization skills.
How Step Up Works with Us
Schedule your free consultation
Tell us about your child and what you're hoping to accomplish.
We match you with the right tutor
A specialist who has experience with your child's specific needs.
Find us on EMA and start sessions
We bill Step Up directly through Find Providers. No out-of-pocket cost for you.
Lakeland FES-UA Questions
Can you start tutoring while we wait for Polk County's evaluation?
Yes. Polk County has faced scrutiny over evaluation wait times. If your child already has a diagnosis or IEP from another district, we can start tutoring immediately while the local evaluation processes.
How much FES-UA funding do Lakeland families receive?
Polk County's 2025-26 FES-UA amounts for Lakeland families: K-3 students at matrix level 251-253 receive $10,323 annually. Higher support needs (matrix 254-255) qualify for $21,646 to $34,835.
About the FES-UA Program
What is the FES-UA scholarship?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is Florida's education savings account program for students with disabilities. It provides funding for private school tuition, tutoring, therapy, curriculum, and other approved educational services. The program is administered by Step Up For Students, a nonprofit organization — not a state agency.
What diagnoses qualify for FES-UA?
FES-UA covers students ages 3 through grade 12 (or age 22) with autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia), ADHD, speech/language impairments, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, emotional/behavioral disabilities, orthopedic impairments, and many other qualifying conditions. If your child has an IEP or a documented diagnosis from a licensed physician or psychologist, they may qualify.
How does Step Up's direct-pay system work for tutoring?
When you work with an approved provider like us, we bill Step Up For Students directly through the EMA (Education Market Assistant) platform. You never pay out of pocket and never wait for reimbursement. We handle all the billing — you just focus on your child's sessions.
What's the difference between FES-UA and FES-EO?
FES-UA (Unique Abilities) is specifically for students with disabilities and typically provides higher funding amounts. FES-EO (Education Options) is income-based and available to a broader population. Both allow tutoring as an approved expense, but FES-UA families generally receive larger awards based on their child's matrix level (support needs).
Can I use FES-UA for online tutoring?
Yes. Online tutoring from approved providers is a fully qualifying expense under FES-UA. All of our sessions are delivered online, which means you have access to specialized tutors regardless of where you live in Florida.
Related FES-UA Guides
Ready to Get Started?
Book a free consultation and we'll discuss how we can help your child succeed.
Get Your Free Consultation →Or call us at (844) 773-3822