Family Empowerment Scholarship
for Unique Abilities
Apply NowA Unique Education
For A Unique Child
Children with unique abilities may have different needs when it comes to their education. We believe they deserve an opportunity to thrive and learn in an environment that supports their success.
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.
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?
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a flexible bank account from which you direct funds to pay for tuition and fees for a private school, therapies, tutoring and more.
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.
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.
1
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.
2
Once approved, funds will be deposited on a quarterly basis into an ESA on your student's EMA account.
3
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.
4
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:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services
Services provided by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Services provided by a licensed occupational therapist
Services provided by licensed physical therapists
Services provided by listening and spoken language specialists
Other specialized services provided by an approved provider
Specialized services providers must be one of the following:
An organization approved as a provider by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
An individual licensed by the Florida Department of Health
A staff member, listed under an organization approved as a provider through the Office of Early Learning for Specialized Instructional Services Provider (SIS), which includes behavior analysts licensed by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board
An individual listed on the BACB website as practicing in the state of Florida.
Are We Eligible?
Students from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first, who have a specific diagnosis.
Anaphylaxis
Autism spectrum disorder
Being a high-risk child
Cerebral Palsy
Down syndrome
Emotional or a behavioral disability
Hearing impairment, including deafness
Hospital or homebound
Autism spectrum disorder
Being a high-risk child
Cerebral Palsy
Down syndrome
Emotional or a behavioral disability
Hearing impairment, including deafness
Hospital or homebound
Identification as dual sensory impaired
Intellectual disability
Language impairment
Muscular dystrophy
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment
Phelan-McDermid syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Intellectual disability
Language impairment
Muscular dystrophy
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment
Phelan-McDermid syndrome
Prader-Willi syndrome
Rare diseases
Specific learning disability
Speech impairment
Spina bifida
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment, including blindness
Williams 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.
Scholarship Amounts
Scholarship Amounts by County
At this time, EMA will continue to display the 2025–26 scholarship amounts while we update our systems.
Please note: The scholarship amounts are established annually by the Florida Legislature in the state budget.
2026-27 Scholarship AmountsAt this time, EMA will continue to display the 2025–26 scholarship amounts while we update our systems.
Please note: The scholarship amounts are established annually by the Florida Legislature in the state budget.
Other Helpful Documents
Stepping Up To Success
“Without Step Up I don’t know if I would be able to reach the goals I’m about to reach.”
Nanya
Step Up Scholarship Recipient
“I’ve always felt education was No. 1 over everything, I always wanted to prove it to myself.”
Zoe Elverillo
Step Up Scholarship Recipient
“Private school is different. The classes are smaller…There’s not one teacher that doesn’t care (here).”
Carlos Escobar
Step Up Scholarship Recipient
Video Library
How to create your FTC/FES-EO account
How to complete an FTC/FES-EO application
Document checklist for FTC/FES-EO applications