FES-UA Tutoring in Tampa, Florida
Special needs tutoring for Tampa families using the Step Up For Students scholarship. We're an approved provider — direct pay, no reimbursement wait.
Get Your Free Consultation →💡 Quick Answer: FES-UA Tutoring in Tampa
Tampa families can use their FES-UA scholarship with us — direct pay through Step Up's EMA platform. Hillsborough County is Florida's 3rd largest district, and we serve families across Tampa, Brandon, and beyond. Autism, dyslexia, ADHD specialists.
FES-UA Tutoring for Tampa Families
Tampa is one of Florida's largest and fastest-growing cities, and Hillsborough County Public Schools — the state's 3rd largest district, serving over 235,000 students — reflects that scale and diversity. Tampa's neighborhoods range from the historic Cuban influence of Ybor City to the rapidly growing suburbs of New Tampa and Westchase, each with its own character and its own families navigating children with learning differences.
Hillsborough County has invested significantly in ESE, with autism spectrum programs, structured literacy initiatives, and behavioral support — but the district's size means individual students can still fall through the cracks. Our tutors fill that gap: one-on-one, specialist-level instruction that's coordinated with your child's learning profile and adapted in real time to what's working and what isn't. Tampa's diverse population means we work regularly with multilingual families, including significant Spanish-speaking and Latin American communities across the Tampa Bay area.
As an approved Step Up For Students provider, Tampa FES-UA families can access our services at no out-of-pocket cost. We bill directly through EMA's Find Providers — no reimbursement wait, no upfront payment.
🏫 Hillsborough County Public Schools & Special Ed
- District: Hillsborough County Public Schools — Florida's 3rd largest district
- Students: ~235,000 enrolled; one of the most diverse districts in the Southeast
- Special Ed Program: ESE services — ASD-specific programs, structured literacy (FCRR-aligned), speech-language, behavioral support, and gifted education
- Notable: Hillsborough has rolled out Science of Reading curriculum changes; ESE compliance has been a subject of state scrutiny and active improvement efforts
- Our Edge: Science of Reading-aligned tutors, bilingual support for Tampa's Hispanic communities, autism and ADHD specialists with Hillsborough IEP experience
💰 FES-UA Funding in Hillsborough County for 2025-26
Florida calculates FES-UA awards by county, grade band, and matrix level. For Tampa families in Hillsborough County, the 2025-26 amounts are:
| Matrix Level | K-3 | 4-8 | 9-12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 251-253 (Mild to Moderate) | $10,418 | $9,830 | $9,677 |
| 254 (Substantial) | $21,920 | ||
| 255 (Intensive) | $35,284 | ||
These amounts are set by the State of Florida and updated annually.
Source: Step Up For Students 2025-26 FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts by District
For a Tampa elementary student at matrix level 251-253, that's approximately $10,400/year — enough to cover 2+ hours of weekly tutoring throughout the school year at typical rates.
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.
Tampa FES-UA Questions
How do I find a tutor in Tampa who specializes in autism?
We match Tampa families with tutors who have specific experience working with autistic learners. During your free consultation, we'll discuss your child's diagnosis, sensory preferences, and communication style to pair you with the right specialist. All sessions are online, so you're not limited to tutors physically located in Hillsborough County.
Are there in-person tutoring options in Tampa, or only online?
We provide online-only tutoring, which gives Tampa families access to specialized tutors across Florida. Many families prefer this for the convenience — no driving across Tampa traffic, consistent scheduling, and sessions that fit around therapy, sports, or other activities.
Does Hillsborough County's FES-UA funding cover weekly tutoring sessions?
Yes. For a Tampa student at matrix level 251-253 (mild to moderate support needs), the 2025-26 award of approximately $10,400 can fund about 2 hours of weekly tutoring throughout the school year. Higher matrix levels (254, 255) receive significantly more funding — up to $35,284 for intensive support needs.
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
FES-UA Tutoring in Nearby Cities
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