The Unique Abilities Scholarship in Florida is officially known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). This program represents a major effort by the Florida legislature to provide highly personalized educational options for students with special needs. Launched in 2021, the scholarship was created by combining the former Gardiner and McKay scholarship programs into one streamlined fund.
The core goal of the FES-UA scholarship is to empower parents to customize their child’s education. This customization moves beyond the traditional public school model and ensures that financial resources align directly with a student’s individual learning goals. The program has established a flexible funding mechanism that offers far greater choice to families than a simple tuition voucher.
Instead of directly funding a specific school, the FES-UA provides an Education Savings Account (ESA). This ESA acts like a flexible bank account containing public funds, which parents can use for a wide array of pre-approved educational and therapeutic expenses. This approach enables families to choose the services, providers, and educational environments that best support their child’s unique abilities, whether that includes private schooling, home education, or specialized therapy services.
What is the FES-UA Scholarship?
The FES-UA Scholarship is a state-funded program in Florida that supports students with special needs. The program provides financial assistance to students with qualifying disabilities, ensuring their families have educational options beyond their assigned public school. The FES-UA offers two primary options: the ability to transfer to another public school in the district or an adjacent district, or access to the Education Savings Account (ESA) for customized learning. Students cannot access the ESA option and attend public school simultaneously.
Scholarship Coverage
The FES-UA scholarship amount is not fixed; it is calculated based on three factors: the student’s grade level, the student’s county of residence, and the severity of the student’s disability as assessed by an Educational Services Matrix.
- Average Award: The average scholarship is approximately $$$10,000.
- Maximum Funding: The most complex cases, assessed at the highest matrix levels, can receive significantly higher amounts, potentially exceeding $$$36,000 annually.
- ESA Balance Cap: Scholarship law prohibits additional funding if a student’s ESA balance exceeds $$$50,000.
Priority for receiving the scholarship is given to several groups: renewing students, children in foster care, and dependent children of active-duty members of the US Armed Forces.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for the FES-UA requires Florida residency and a documented condition.
Student Criteria
There are three key eligibility requirements for the FES-UA scholarship:
- Florida Residency: The student must be a Florida resident.
- Age/Grade Level: The student must be between the ages of 3 and 22, and eligible to enroll in kindergarten through grade 12.
- Required Documentation: The student must have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from a Florida school district or a diagnosis of a disability from a licensed physician or psychologist.
Qualifying Conditions (Unique Abilities)
The condition must match an approved list defined in Florida Statutes. Students with unique abilities qualify for the award based on their diagnosis.
Qualifying diagnoses include three specific conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Specific Learning Disability (including Dyslexia). Other common conditions that qualify a student for the FES-UA scholarship include Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Hearing Impairment, and Intellectual Disability.
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Approved Uses of Education Savings Account (ESA) Funds
The flexibility of the FES-UA ESA is its main advantage, allowing parents to direct funds exactly where their child needs them. The funds cover a wide range of educational and therapeutic expenses.
| Category | Approved Expenses |
| Specialized Therapies | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy from approved providers. |
| Instructional Materials | Curriculum, physical or digital instructional materials, and assistive technology devices (e.g., specialized software, laptops). |
| Tuition & Programs | Private school tuition and fees at eligible schools, online learning programs, and specialized after-school or summer education programs. |
| Tutoring & College Costs | Private tutoring from approved providers, fees for standardized testing (e.g., AP Exams), and contributions to Florida Prepaid College Plans or 529 College Savings Plans. |
Application Process
You must apply for the FES-UA through one of the state’s approved Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs). To get a FES-UA scholarship, follow four detailed steps:
- Select an SFO: Choose between the two primary Scholarship Funding Organizations that administer the program: Step Up For Students or AAA Scholarship Foundation.
- Complete the Online Application: Visit the SFO’s official website to start the online application. The process will require you to provide basic personal and residency information.
- Submit Required Documents: You must upload three specific documents:
- Proof of Florida Residency (e.g., utility bill, driver’s license).
- Proof of the Student’s Age (e.g., birth certificate).
- Disability Documentation (a current IEP from a Florida school district or a formal diagnosis letter from a licensed physician or psychologist).
- Enroll and Manage Funds: Once eligibility is verified and the scholarship is awarded, you must log into the ESA portal (often called the Education Market Assistant or EMA). Funds are deposited on a quarterly basis. You then use the portal to pay approved providers directly or submit requests for reimbursement.
