If you're unable to access the phone number linked to your EMA account or you're not receiving your MFA code, you may request an MFA reset. Please note: only the Primary Parent listed on the account can request this reset. For security reasons, we’re unable to process MFA resets for secondary contacts or other family members.
If you're the Primary Parent and need help, feel free to call us directly so we can assist you. Reach us at 1 (877) 735-7837, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.
There are a few common reasons why an order might not be approved. Here are the most frequent ones:
- Previously Purchased or Reimbursed Items
- iPad/Tablet or laptop already reimbursed within the past 24 months
- Item Restrictions or Limitations
- Multiple tablets listed (only one allowed every 24 months)
- Sales Tax Issues
- Items missing sales tax
- Additional sales tax charged incorrectly
- Documentation or Justification Required
- Incorrect Student ID submitted
- Items ordered more than 2 weeks ago may no longer be available
- Ineligible Expenses
- Dual DVD players
- Cotton thermal blankets
Here is how to invoice in EMA for your services. You can only invoice after a parent reserves funds for your services in their EMA account under Marketplace.
Step-by-Step Provider Invoice Guide
- Log in to EMA and go to the Billing section
- Click the Service Orders tab to view reserved orders
- After services are provided:
• Click the blue pen icon to enter service dates and provider info
• Click the green check to save
• If you can’t provide the service, click the red “X” to remove it - Saved orders move to the Service Invoicing tab
- Review details and click Invoice
• Confirm accuracy in the pop-up
• Click Yes to submit, or No to make changes - Go to the Reporting tab to track invoice status and export reports
Need more help? Watch our 3-minute video
Invoice Status and What It Means
Pending — Funds reserved; waiting for service to be rendered
In Process — Service completed; invoice submitted
Approved — Invoice accepted; payment pending
Paid — Payment issued
Deleted — Order removed before payment
Creating Invoice — Temporary status after submission — usually resolves in a few business days
How to Find a Provider in EMA
- Log in to your EMA account
- Click Marketplace on the left menu
- Choose Find Providers
- Select the student you’re shopping for
- Use filters or search by name, email, website, or location to find services. Just click on a provider’s name to see their services and locations. You’re welcome to reach out to them directly to make sure they’re the right fit for your student.
- Once ready, select the service, choose quantity, and click Add to Cart
- Go to your cart and click Reserve Funds
- You are all set! Now you can call the provider to schedule services
Watch this video to follow along in a few easy steps.
Here’s what each status in EMA means for your student’s application:
• Draft – Not yet submitted. Complete all sections, upload documents, and submit.
• Submitted – Received but not yet reviewed. Check back soon.
• Pending – Under review. No action needed — just check back later.
• On Hold – More information or documents are needed.
• Complete – Review is finished.
To check your student’s scholarship status:
Go to My Students in the left menu → Find your student → Find their tile where their status is displayed to the right of their chosen scholarship program.
To verify Florida residency, documents must:
- Be current (dated within two months of submission)
- Match the primary or secondary parent/guardian’s full name and physical street address on the application
Note: Renewal students (received funds in 2024–25) still need valid documentation
Submitting documentation
Submit 1 document from Column A or 2 different documents from Column B as shown on this page.
What “Current” Means
Documents must be:
- Dated within 30 days before or 30 days after the application submission date
- Exceptions: Annual or semi-annual documents (e.g., SSI, VA, insurance) must still reflect a valid timeframe
- “Submission date” = when you clicked Submit and your application entered Document Attached status
If You Don’t Have Standard Documents
You may submit a letter explaining your situation. The processing team will review and determine:
- If your document can be accepted
- Which column it qualifies under
Military Families
Active-Duty PCS to Florida (Unique Abilities, Private School, and PEP Eligible)
- Upload PCS orders in the Proof of Residency section
- Use the Florida unit address in your parent/guardian profile
Relocating out of Florida (Unique Abilities and PEP Renewal Only)
- Use the Florida base address from which you were relieved
- Upload PCS orders
- Upload either:
- Leave and Earnings Statement, or
- IRS Form 2058 (Domicile Declaration)
- Home of record or legal residence must still be Florida
Visit our Military Families page for more details.
Not Eligible
First-time applicants stationed outside Florida with Florida as legal domicile are not eligible. Military families must qualify for the scholarship as new families while living in Florida and can only relocate out of Florida in subsequent years.
If you had a Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), or PEP Scholarship and enrolled in a public school, your scholarship will end and the remaining funds will be returned to the state.
As a public-school student, you may be eligible for a Transportation Stipend.
You may withdraw from PEP at any time by logging into EMA and selecting “Decline.”
• If you already withdrew from Home Education after accepting PEP: you will need to reestablish your Home Education Program by sending a new Letter of Intent to your school district.
• If you did not withdraw from Home Education: declining PEP will simply end your PEP enrollment, and your Home Education Program with the district will remain in place.
No. Florida law allows only one active scholarship application per student at a time. If your child is denied, or if you decline an awarded scholarship, you may then submit an application for a different scholarship.
For more information, you can view program handbooks on the “Resources” tab of our website.
Yes. If you are an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and have been given permanent change of station orders to move to Florida, you will be eligible for the Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO), Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) and the PEP Scholarship before you make your move. You can apply with your newly assigned base address or new Florida residential address (if you have one) and upload your permanent change of station paperwork with your application.
Students may use the Unique Abilities Scholarship and the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program at an eligible private school at the same time. Students may not use an Unique Abilities Scholarship and VPK’s Specialized Instructional Services (VPK-SIS) at the same time.
Yes. FES-UA funds may be used to cover preschool tuition and fees at an eligible private school.
The 2025-26 award amounts can be found here.
The Unique Abilities Scholarships vary based on a student’s grade level, county of residence and level of need. On average, scholarships are about $10,000. Students with a matrix score of 254 or 255 may qualify for significantly higher amounts, averaging between $22,000 and $34,000.
Yes. Each year the cap will increase by 5% based on the total number of students in Florida receiving exceptional student education services, not including gifted students.
Family Empowerment Scholarship
for Unique Abilities
To stay up to date with the latest updates, sign up below.
Good news—Quarter 1 scholarship funding has started for renewal students! Families will begin seeing funds in their account soon for renewal students. Funding will occur on a rolling basis and may take up to two weeks for all accounts to be updated. If you haven’t received your payment or heard anything about your funding status by August 25, please reach out to us.
Please check your account. Scholarship accounts must have a balance of less than $50,000 in order to receive additional funds. If your student's balance is above this amount, you must reduce your student's current balance by spending some of the available funds.
Who’s next?
- New and any remaining Renewal students will receive their Quarter 1 funding in September.
A Unique Education
For A Unique Child
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) enables families to personalize the education of their students by directing funds to where they’re needed most. The funds can be used for a combination of programs and approved expenses including therapists, specialists, curriculum, private school, a college savings account and more.

How Does It Work?
Families have the option to purchase products through MyScholarShop or services through EMA without having to pay out of pocket. However, they can still use providers or vendors outside of MyScholarShop and EMA for pre-approved purchases by paying upfront and submitting a reimbursement claim.
Apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students. You will need to show proof of your child’s age, diagnosis, and residency. Here is a checklist of documents you may need.
Go to MyScholarShop to find pre-approved products or log in to your EMA account to explore services.
Payments to providers and vendors are made directly from the ESA.
Purchase pre-approved services and products for your child’s education and request reimbursement.
To learn more about reimbursements, please review the Unique Abilities scholarship handbook and the Reimbursement Guide links below.
Working with Providers
Specialized services by approved providers include but are not limited to the following:
Specialized services providers must be one of the following:


Are We Eligible?
Autism spectrum disorder
Being a high-risk child
Cerebral Palsy
Down syndrome
Emotional or a behavioral disability
Hearing impairment, including deafness
Hospital or homebound
Intellectual disability
Language impairment
Muscular dystrophy
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment
Phelan-McDermid syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Specific learning disability
Speech impairment
Spina bifida
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment, including blindness
Williams syndrome
Are you a military family living in Florida or relocating here? Get details on how to access scholarships for your child's education—learn more here.
Award Amounts
Other Helpful Documents

Stepping Up To Success



