Florida FES-UA for homeschool families
Education savings account · Florida · 2026-27 · checked Oct 12, 2026 against 5 sources · General information, not legal or financial advice.
Your Florida FES-UA to-do
- Check that your child qualifies
Yes. To receive and use the funds, the student must be in an eligible private school or in a home education program with a letter of intent filed with the local school district. Home education students need no extra step for the quarterly deposits. The child needs an IEP or a qualifying diagnosis. - Renew for 2026-27
February 1 to April 30, 2026 (closed). A renewal submitted later counts as a new application. - Apply as a new student for 2026-27
February 1 to November 15, 2026, while capacity lasts. - Accept or decline the 2026-27 scholarship in EMA
Renewal students by May 31, 2026; new students by December 15, 2026. Only students eligible and accepted by December 15, 2026, can be funded in 2026-27. - Public school attestation (only students funded for Quarter 1 in September)
By September 15, 2026. If the answer is "yes", proof of withdrawal from public school on or before July 31, 2026 is needed. - Switch to another scholarship program
Before Quarter 1: by June 15, 2026 (renewal) or July 15, 2026 (new). Before Quarter 3: October 2 to October 30, 2026. - Pre-authorization requests for 2026-27
By May 28, 2027. - Buy items and services with 2026-27 funds
Between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027 (some tuition and curriculum may be bought earlier and claimed in the year). - Submit 2026-27 reimbursement requests
By July 31, 2027. Reviews can take up to 60 days after all documents are in.
What a valid Florida FES-UA receipt shows, and a log to fill in.
What Florida FES-UA says
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), run by Step Up For Students (scholarship funding organization).
- Homeschoolers
- Homeschoolers can use it
Yes. To receive and use the funds, the student must be in an eligible private school or in a home education program with a letter of intent filed with the local school district. Home education students need no extra step for the quarterly deposits. The child needs an IEP or a qualifying diagnosis. - Amount
$9,627–$39,091 a year, depending on the county, grade and need.
See all 335 amounts
Who Grades Per year Alachua County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,484 Alachua County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,900 Alachua County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,709 Alachua County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,461 Alachua County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,511 Baker County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,118 Baker County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,513 Baker County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,314 Baker County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,586 Baker County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,122 Bay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,571 Bay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,987 Bay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,796 Bay County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,548 Bay County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,598 Bradford County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,211 Bradford County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,606 Bradford County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,407 Bradford County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,679 Bradford County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,215 Brevard County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,539 Brevard County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,955 Brevard County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,764 Brevard County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,516 Brevard County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,566 Broward County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,658 Broward County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,060 Broward County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,865 Broward County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,941 Broward County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,295 Calhoun County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,457 Calhoun County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,852 Calhoun County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,653 Calhoun County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,925 Calhoun County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,461 Charlotte County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,971 Charlotte County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,387 Charlotte County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,196 Charlotte County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,948 Charlotte County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,998 Citrus County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,954 Citrus County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,370 Citrus County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,179 Citrus County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,440 Citrus County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,490 Clay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,494 Clay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,910 Clay County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,719 Clay County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,471 Clay County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,521 Collier County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $12,860 Collier County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $12,251 Collier County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $12,051 Collier County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,882 Collier County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $37,493 Columbia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,837 Columbia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,232 Columbia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,033 Columbia County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,242 Columbia County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,778 Dade County (Miami-Dade), matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,909 Dade County (Miami-Dade), matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,304 Dade County (Miami-Dade), matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,106 Dade County (Miami-Dade), matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,361 Dade County (Miami-Dade), matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,884 De Soto County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,554 De Soto County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,949 De Soto County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,750 De Soto County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,556 De Soto County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,092 Dixie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,195 Dixie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,590 Dixie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,391 Dixie County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,663 Dixie County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,199 Duval County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,573 Duval County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,985 Duval County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,793 Duval County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,649 Duval County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,797 Escambia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,566 Escambia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,982 Escambia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,791 Escambia County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,543 Escambia County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,593 Flagler County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,000 Flagler County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,416 Flagler County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,225 Flagler County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,393 Flagler County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,443 Franklin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $12,392 Franklin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $11,787 Franklin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $11,588 Franklin County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,860 Franklin County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $37,396 Gadsden County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,036 Gadsden County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,431 Gadsden County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,232 Gadsden County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,504 Gadsden County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,040 Gilchrist County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,431 Gilchrist County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,826 Gilchrist County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,627 Gilchrist County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,899 Gilchrist County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,435 Glades County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,723 Glades County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $11,118 Glades County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,919 Glades County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,191 Glades County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,727 Gulf County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $12,137 Gulf County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $11,532 Gulf County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $11,333 Gulf County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,605 Gulf County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $37,141 Hamilton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,795 Hamilton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $11,190 Hamilton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,991 Hamilton County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,890 Hamilton County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,426 Hardee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,060 Hardee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,455 Hardee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,256 Hardee County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,296 Hardee County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,832 Hendry County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,512 Hendry County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,907 Hendry County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,708 Hendry County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,980 Hendry County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,516 Hernando County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,742 Hernando County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,158 Hernando County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,967 Hernando County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,425 Hernando County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,475 Highlands County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,765 Highlands County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,160 Highlands County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,961 Highlands County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,233 Highlands County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,769 Hillsborough County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,593 Hillsborough County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,001 Hillsborough County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,808 Hillsborough County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,739 Hillsborough County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,958 Holmes County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,403 Holmes County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,798 Holmes County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,599 Holmes County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,863 Holmes County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,399 Indian River County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,891 Indian River County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,307 Indian River County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,116 Indian River County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,868 Indian River County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,918 Jackson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,141 Jackson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,536 Jackson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,337 Jackson County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,609 Jackson County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,145 Jefferson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $12,816 Jefferson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $12,211 Jefferson County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $12,012 Jefferson County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,878 Jefferson County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $37,414 Lafayette County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,522 Lafayette County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,917 Lafayette County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,718 Lafayette County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,990 Lafayette County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,526 Lake County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,446 Lake County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,862 Lake County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,671 Lake County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,423 Lake County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,473 Lee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,345 Lee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,759 Lee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,567 Lee County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,963 Lee County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,056 Leon County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,923 Leon County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,339 Leon County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,148 Leon County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,514 Leon County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,564 Levy County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,244 Levy County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,639 Levy County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,440 Levy County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,712 Levy County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,248 Liberty County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,596 Liberty County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,991 Liberty County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,792 Liberty County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,064 Liberty County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,600 Madison County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,206 Madison County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,601 Madison County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,402 Madison County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,549 Madison County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,085 Manatee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,542 Manatee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,958 Manatee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,767 Manatee County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,522 Manatee County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,574 Marion County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,467 Marion County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,883 Marion County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,692 Marion County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,444 Marion County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,494 Martin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,329 Martin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,745 Martin County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,554 Martin County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,306 Martin County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,356 Monroe County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $14,381 Monroe County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $13,781 Monroe County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $13,585 Monroe County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $25,701 Monroe County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $39,091 Nassau County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,989 Nassau County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,405 Nassau County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,214 Nassau County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,966 Nassau County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,016 Okaloosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,719 Okaloosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,134 Okaloosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,943 Okaloosa County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,636 Okaloosa County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,705 Okeechobee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,907 Okeechobee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,302 Okeechobee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,103 Okeechobee County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,375 Okeechobee County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,911 Orange County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,584 Orange County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,995 Orange County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,803 Orange County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,655 Orange County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,799 Osceola County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,500 Osceola County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,916 Osceola County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,725 Osceola County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,477 Osceola County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,527 Palm Beach County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,054 Palm Beach County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,452 Palm Beach County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,255 Palm Beach County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,439 Palm Beach County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,893 Pasco County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,494 Pasco County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,910 Pasco County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,719 Pasco County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,471 Pasco County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,521 Pinellas County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,807 Pinellas County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,223 Pinellas County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,032 Pinellas County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,788 Pinellas County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,842 Polk County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,500 Polk County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,916 Polk County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,725 Polk County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,477 Polk County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,527 Putnam County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,010 Putnam County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,405 Putnam County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,206 Putnam County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,478 Putnam County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,014 St. Johns County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,579 St. Johns County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,995 St. Johns County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,804 St. Johns County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,556 St. Johns County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,606 St. Lucie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,170 St. Lucie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,586 St. Lucie County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,395 St. Lucie County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,590 St. Lucie County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,640 Santa Rosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,474 Santa Rosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,890 Santa Rosa County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,699 Santa Rosa County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,451 Santa Rosa County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,501 Sarasota County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,344 Sarasota County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,753 Sarasota County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,560 Sarasota County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,357 Sarasota County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,565 Seminole County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,541 Seminole County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,957 Seminole County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,766 Seminole County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,518 Seminole County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,568 Sumter County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,233 Sumter County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,649 Sumter County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,458 Sumter County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,210 Sumter County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,260 Suwannee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,795 Suwannee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,190 Suwannee County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,991 Suwannee County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,263 Suwannee County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,799 Taylor County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,063 Taylor County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,458 Taylor County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,259 Taylor County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,531 Taylor County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,067 Union County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,281 Union County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,676 Union County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,477 Union County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,749 Union County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,285 Volusia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,402 Volusia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $9,818 Volusia County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $9,627 Volusia County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $21,379 Volusia County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $34,429 Wakulla County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $10,807 Wakulla County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,202 Wakulla County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,003 Wakulla County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,275 Wakulla County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $35,811 Walton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $12,534 Walton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $11,950 Walton County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $11,759 Walton County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $23,472 Walton County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,522 Washington County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis Ages 3-4 and K-3 $11,422 Washington County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 4-8 $10,817 Washington County, matrix 251-253 or qualifying diagnosis 9-12 $10,618 Washington County, matrix level 4 (254) All (age 3 to grade 12) $22,890 Washington County, matrix level 5 (255) All (age 3 to grade 12) $36,426 - What you can spend on
- Instructional materials
- Curriculum and curriculum materials
- Specialized services (for example applied behavior analysis, speech-language, occupational and physical therapy, by approved providers or a Florida hospital)
- Tuition and fees at an eligible private school or a Hybrid eligible private school
- Home education instructional programs
- Tuition and fees at an eligible postsecondary institution (including NC-SARA participants) or an FLDOE approved pre-apprenticeship program
- Dual enrollment
- Private tutoring program
- Part-time tutoring services or Choice Navigator services
- Approved online or virtual provider
- Florida Virtual School as a private-pay student
- Standardized testing and academic fees, including test administration and proctoring
- Contributions to approved college savings programs (Florida Prepaid 529 Plan, Florida 529 Savings Program)
- Contracted services provided by a public school or school district
- Fees for specialized summer and after-school education programs
- Transition services provided by job coaches
- Annual home education evaluation fees
- Tuition and fees for an approved VPK Program provider, School Readiness provider or eligible private school
- Fees for horse therapy, music therapy and art therapy
- What a receipt must show
- A receipt with the complete transaction date (MM/DD/YY) and the amount paid, or an invoice with that date shown paid in full ("paid in full" stamp, invoice and payment amounts, or a zero balance)
- A clear breakdown of all costs: base cost, taxes, fees and the total amount paid, matching the total charged to your payment method
- Materials and curriculum: the items purchased, the full date including year, item price, subtotal, taxes, fees, discounts and total, and the method of payment; underline or highlight the claimed items when a receipt lists several
- Services that need provider vetting (tutoring, electives, therapies): the provider's first and last name, matching their submitted credentials, plus the service type, time period and rate
- Not accepted: handwritten notes or unofficial documents, and cash purchases from private sellers (garage sales, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, private tutors or therapists)
- Reward points, gift cards or credits count only if the receipt shows their cash value; buy-now-pay-later purchases are reimbursed only for the amount already paid
- Where you submit
- EMA (Education Market Assistant) by Step Up For Students, with MyScholarShop · site
Both direct pay and reimbursement - Learning plan
- Not required
- Testing
- Yes. Each year the child completes an annual assessment. Home education students do the annual educational evaluation of Florida's home education law (s. 1002.41(1)(f)), and evaluation fees are an eligible expense. Students in grades 3-10 at an eligible private school take an FLDOE-approved norm-referenced test or the statewide assessment. Students for whom a physician, psychologist or IEP team finds testing not appropriate are exempt with the Standardized Testing Exemption Form.
- Renewal
- Yearly. Submit the renewal application in EMA between February 1 and April 30 and accept by May 31 to keep renewal priority. Renewal students do not requalify unless their qualifying disability status changes; a child who qualified as "high-risk" must qualify under another diagnosis from age 6. Skipping a year means applying again as new.
Eligibility: a Florida resident from age 3 (by December 31 of the application year) until 22, with an IEP or a qualifying diagnosis (autism, Down syndrome, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, rare diseases and others) from an eligible licensed professional.
Amounts depend on the county of residence, the grade, and the matrix level of services. Matrix levels 1-3 (251-253) and diagnosis-only students get the 251-253 amount; levels 4 and 5 get much more. Only the school district assigns or revises a matrix level. Step Up describes an average award of about $10,000.
Students who had a Gardiner or McKay scholarship in 2020-21 receive the greater of that amount or the current amount.
Funds arrive quarterly (Step Up receives them August 1 or September 1, November 1, February 1 and April 1). Unused money rolls over, but no new deposit is made if it would raise the balance above $50,000. An account is closed after two fiscal years without spending, or three years after high school without postsecondary enrollment.
Capacity is capped by law each year, with exceptions (children of law enforcement officers or active-duty military, adopted and foster children, students who attended a Florida public school last year, and others).
Changes for 2026-27: Florida Prepaid 529 contributions are direct pay only since June 30, 2026; a Florida-licensed physician assistant can validate a diagnosis; Hybrid private school tuition is eligible (with a learning plan); public school attestation or withdrawal proof before funding.
A denied reimbursement can be appealed once in EMA. Parents cannot pay themselves with scholarship funds for services to their own child.
Amounts depend on the county of residence, the grade, and the matrix level of services. Matrix levels 1-3 (251-253) and diagnosis-only students get the 251-253 amount; levels 4 and 5 get much more. Only the school district assigns or revises a matrix level. Step Up describes an average award of about $10,000.
Students who had a Gardiner or McKay scholarship in 2020-21 receive the greater of that amount or the current amount.
Funds arrive quarterly (Step Up receives them August 1 or September 1, November 1, February 1 and April 1). Unused money rolls over, but no new deposit is made if it would raise the balance above $50,000. An account is closed after two fiscal years without spending, or three years after high school without postsecondary enrollment.
Capacity is capped by law each year, with exceptions (children of law enforcement officers or active-duty military, adopted and foster children, students who attended a Florida public school last year, and others).
Changes for 2026-27: Florida Prepaid 529 contributions are direct pay only since June 30, 2026; a Florida-licensed physician assistant can validate a diagnosis; Hybrid private school tuition is eligible (with a learning plan); public school attestation or withdrawal proof before funding.
A denied reimbursement can be appealed once in EMA. Parents cannot pay themselves with scholarship funds for services to their own child.
Sources
- Step Up For Students: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook · official · checked Oct 12, 2026
- Step Up For Students: 2026-27 Scholarship Amounts, Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA), by district · official · checked Oct 12, 2026
- Step Up For Students: Unique Abilities Scholarship (program page) · official · checked Oct 12, 2026
- Step Up For Students: 2026-27 Scholarship Schedule · official · checked Oct 12, 2026
- Step Up For Students: 2026-2027 Program Handbooks and Purchasing Guides Summary of Changes · official · checked Oct 12, 2026
General information, not legal or financial advice. Programs change their rules every year; check with Step Up For Students (scholarship funding organization) before you spend. If something looks wrong, tell us.
How Homepen helps
Homepen keeps your days, hours and records, and reminds you of the testing deadline. A receipt vault (snap a receipt, pick the child and category, mark it submitted) is coming in a later version.
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