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The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, usually shortened to FES-UA or the UA scholarship, gives Florida families an education savings account they can direct toward tutoring, therapies, curriculum, school tuition and other approved expenses. Step Up For Students says the scholarship is worth an average of $10,000 per student.
This guide answers the questions parents ask most: what FES-UA covers and what it doesn’t, who qualifies, how much it is worth in 2026-27, whether it pays for tutoring, and how to book tutoring through the EMA portal.
Quick answer
FES-UA is Step Up For Students’ education savings account for Florida students with unique abilities, from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22. It averages $10,000 a year and covers part-time tutoring, therapies, curriculum, private school tuition and more. Through EMA you can use scholarship dollars without paying out of pocket.
Tutoring is covered on the UA scholarship
Families pay $0 out of pocket.
What is the FES-UA scholarship?
FES-UA is one of the scholarships Step Up For Students administers as a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida. It works as an education savings account (ESA): public funds go into an account for your child, and you direct them to approved uses such as private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring and other approved services and materials.
To receive and use the funds, your child must be enrolled in an eligible private school or in a home education program with a letter of intent filed with your school district. A student cannot be enrolled full-time in a public school while receiving FES-UA funds.
Who qualifies for FES-UA?
Your child must meet all of these requirements for 2026-27:
- Age: 3 years old on or before December 31 of the year you apply (or eligible to enroll in a Florida public school), and younger than 22 on or before September 1. The program runs through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first.
- Residency: a Florida resident, or a qualifying active-duty military family.
- An IEP or a qualifying diagnosis: an Individualized Education Plan, or a validated diagnosis from an eligible licensed professional such as a physician or psychologist. An IEP must be an official district IEP written within the past three years.
Qualifying diagnoses on Step Up’s list include autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision impairments, speech or language impairments, rare diseases and other health impairments. Step Up’s definitions note that “other health impairment” includes ADHD, and that specific learning conditions can include dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Check the full list and definitions in the handbook before you apply.
FES-UA is the Step Up scholarship that starts youngest. PEP requires students to be at least 5 years old by September 1, and the private school scholarship is for students eligible for K-12 public school. For 2026-27, new FES-UA applications run from February 1 to November 15, 2026.
How much is the FES-UA scholarship worth in 2026-27?
The Florida Legislature sets the amounts each year, and your child’s award depends on grade level, county of residence and matrix level of services. For 2026-27, students at matrix levels 1 to 3, or who qualify through a diagnosis, receive between $9,627 and $14,381 depending on county and grade. Matrix level 4 awards range from $21,379 to $25,701, and level 5 from $34,429 to $39,091. The lowest amounts are in Volusia County and the highest in Monroe County.
For every county and the quarterly payment dates, see our guide to Step Up award amounts 2026-27.
What does FES-UA cover, and what doesn’t it cover?
Step Up’s FES-UA handbook lists the authorized uses of funds and how each one can be paid. “Direct pay” means the provider bills your EMA account; “reimbursement” means you pay first and then ask Step Up to repay you from the scholarship.
| Expense | FES-UA covers it? | How it’s paid |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time tutoring | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Full-time private tutoring program | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Speech, occupational and physical therapy, ABA | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Curriculum and instructional materials | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Private school tuition and fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Approved online or virtual provider, private-pay FLVS | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Standardized testing fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Specialized summer and after-school programs | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Florida Prepaid and Florida 529 college savings | Yes | Direct pay only |
| School lunch, before- and after-school care | No | Not eligible |
| Traditional overnight summer camps | No | Not eligible |
| Anything already paid by insurance or an HSA | No | Not eligible |
| Cash payments to private sellers, including private tutors | No | Reimbursement denied |
| Paying a parent to teach their own child | No | Not eligible |
Source: FES-UA Family Handbook 2026-27, Appendix B and reimbursement rules.
Two rules catch families out. Items or services approved in the past may not be approved now, so check the current purchasing guidance before you spend. And if your child attends a private school, the scholarship goes to tuition and fees first, before remaining funds can be used for other expenses such as tutoring. For the full category list, read what you can and can’t buy with Step Up For Students.
Does FES-UA pay for tutoring?
Yes. Part-time tutoring and full-time private tutoring programs are both authorized FES-UA uses, paid by direct pay or reimbursement. Tutors who are credentialed can work with your child virtually, so online tutoring is an option.
Step Up requires part-time tutors to hold an approved credential. Options include a valid Florida educator’s certificate, a teaching certificate from another state, a degree in the subject taught, or certification from a recognized research-based program such as the Orton-Gillingham Approach, the Wilson Reading System or the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year for grades K-3 and 900 hours for grades 4-12.
Common ways FES-UA families use tutoring:
- Reading support: structured, step-by-step instruction for a child who is behind in reading, ideally from a teacher with one of the reading credentials above.
- Math support: filling gaps from earlier grades at a pace that suits your child.
- Subject tutoring: English, science and other subjects at any grade level.
- Study skills: planning, organization and homework routines, often useful in middle and high school.
How do I choose the right teacher for a student with unique abilities?
Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring works best when the teacher’s training matches how your child learns. Five checks before you book:
- Match training to need. For reading, look for a structured-literacy credential. For math or another subject, look for subject expertise and classroom experience.
- Ask for credentials in writing. Step Up checks credentials for part-time tutors, and a good provider will share them with you too.
- Ask about IEP experience. A teacher who knows how IEPs and accommodations work can build on what your child’s plan already says.
- Agree on progress updates. Ask how often you will hear what was covered and what to practice at home.
- Confirm direct pay through EMA. With direct billing, you don’t pay out of pocket and wait for a reimbursement.
How do I use FES-UA funds for tutoring in EMA?
EMA (Education Market Assistant) is Step Up’s portal for applying, tracking funds and paying providers. Booking a tutor through the marketplace takes these steps:
- Log in to your EMA account.
- Click Marketplace on the left menu and choose Find Providers.
- Select the student you’re shopping for, then search or filter to find tutoring services.
- Select the service, choose a quantity and click Add to Cart.
- Go to your cart and click Reserve Funds, then contact the provider to schedule lessons.
The provider is paid from your child’s account only after the service has been delivered. Never share your EMA login with a provider: schools and providers cannot request or use it. If you pay a tutor yourself instead, reimbursement requests can take up to 60 days to be processed once all documents are received. The EMA marketplace guide walks through each screen.
Do FES-UA funds roll over?
Yes. Funds are deposited four times a year, and unspent funds can carry over from one school year to the next. Florida law prohibits new deposits that would raise an FES-UA account balance above $50,000. An account is closed and remaining funds go back to the state if two consecutive fiscal years pass with no spending.
Unique Abilities scholarship
Use your UA funds for 1-on-1 tutoring
- Certified teachers who get how your child learns
- The same teacher every week
- A written report after every lesson
★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews$0out of pocket through your UA scholarship
Why do Florida UA families choose Tutero?
Tutero lessons are billed to your child’s scholarship account through EMA, and families on UA or PEP pay $0 out of pocket. Lessons are 1-on-1 and online with certified Florida teachers, and 575 Florida families use Tutero. See how Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring with Tutero works, or read about online tutoring in Florida.
What's the bottom line?
FES-UA is the most flexible Step Up scholarship for Florida students with unique abilities: it can pay for tutoring, therapies, curriculum and school, and unspent funds roll over. Match the teacher’s training to your child, book through EMA so the provider bills your account directly, and check the handbook before buying anything new. For the payment walkthrough, read how to use Step Up funds for tutoring, or see Step Up For Students tutoring with Tutero. Ready to start? Tell us about your child and an account manager calls within 24 hours.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is trusted by 575 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: Scholarship-funded tutoring for unique abilities, How to choose a Step Up tutoring provider and How to use Step Up funds for tutoring.
Your next step
See how UA families use their funds for tutoring
Certified teachers who adapt every lesson to your child, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket.
Or keep reading: How to choose an approved provider →
“He was so confident, and I never see confidence in him.”
MaxineMom of Hunter, 9th gradeThe Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, usually shortened to FES-UA or the UA scholarship, gives Florida families an education savings account they can direct toward tutoring, therapies, curriculum, school tuition and other approved expenses. Step Up For Students says the scholarship is worth an average of $10,000 per student.
This guide answers the questions parents ask most: what FES-UA covers and what it doesn’t, who qualifies, how much it is worth in 2026-27, whether it pays for tutoring, and how to book tutoring through the EMA portal.
Quick answer
FES-UA is Step Up For Students’ education savings account for Florida students with unique abilities, from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22. It averages $10,000 a year and covers part-time tutoring, therapies, curriculum, private school tuition and more. Through EMA you can use scholarship dollars without paying out of pocket.
Tutoring is covered on the UA scholarship
Families pay $0 out of pocket.
What is the FES-UA scholarship?
FES-UA is one of the scholarships Step Up For Students administers as a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida. It works as an education savings account (ESA): public funds go into an account for your child, and you direct them to approved uses such as private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring and other approved services and materials.
To receive and use the funds, your child must be enrolled in an eligible private school or in a home education program with a letter of intent filed with your school district. A student cannot be enrolled full-time in a public school while receiving FES-UA funds.
Who qualifies for FES-UA?
Your child must meet all of these requirements for 2026-27:
- Age: 3 years old on or before December 31 of the year you apply (or eligible to enroll in a Florida public school), and younger than 22 on or before September 1. The program runs through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first.
- Residency: a Florida resident, or a qualifying active-duty military family.
- An IEP or a qualifying diagnosis: an Individualized Education Plan, or a validated diagnosis from an eligible licensed professional such as a physician or psychologist. An IEP must be an official district IEP written within the past three years.
Qualifying diagnoses on Step Up’s list include autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision impairments, speech or language impairments, rare diseases and other health impairments. Step Up’s definitions note that “other health impairment” includes ADHD, and that specific learning conditions can include dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Check the full list and definitions in the handbook before you apply.
FES-UA is the Step Up scholarship that starts youngest. PEP requires students to be at least 5 years old by September 1, and the private school scholarship is for students eligible for K-12 public school. For 2026-27, new FES-UA applications run from February 1 to November 15, 2026.
How much is the FES-UA scholarship worth in 2026-27?
The Florida Legislature sets the amounts each year, and your child’s award depends on grade level, county of residence and matrix level of services. For 2026-27, students at matrix levels 1 to 3, or who qualify through a diagnosis, receive between $9,627 and $14,381 depending on county and grade. Matrix level 4 awards range from $21,379 to $25,701, and level 5 from $34,429 to $39,091. The lowest amounts are in Volusia County and the highest in Monroe County.
For every county and the quarterly payment dates, see our guide to Step Up award amounts 2026-27.
What does FES-UA cover, and what doesn’t it cover?
Step Up’s FES-UA handbook lists the authorized uses of funds and how each one can be paid. “Direct pay” means the provider bills your EMA account; “reimbursement” means you pay first and then ask Step Up to repay you from the scholarship.
| Expense | FES-UA covers it? | How it’s paid |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time tutoring | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Full-time private tutoring program | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Speech, occupational and physical therapy, ABA | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Curriculum and instructional materials | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Private school tuition and fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Approved online or virtual provider, private-pay FLVS | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Standardized testing fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Specialized summer and after-school programs | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Florida Prepaid and Florida 529 college savings | Yes | Direct pay only |
| School lunch, before- and after-school care | No | Not eligible |
| Traditional overnight summer camps | No | Not eligible |
| Anything already paid by insurance or an HSA | No | Not eligible |
| Cash payments to private sellers, including private tutors | No | Reimbursement denied |
| Paying a parent to teach their own child | No | Not eligible |
Source: FES-UA Family Handbook 2026-27, Appendix B and reimbursement rules.
Two rules catch families out. Items or services approved in the past may not be approved now, so check the current purchasing guidance before you spend. And if your child attends a private school, the scholarship goes to tuition and fees first, before remaining funds can be used for other expenses such as tutoring. For the full category list, read what you can and can’t buy with Step Up For Students.
Does FES-UA pay for tutoring?
Yes. Part-time tutoring and full-time private tutoring programs are both authorized FES-UA uses, paid by direct pay or reimbursement. Tutors who are credentialed can work with your child virtually, so online tutoring is an option.
Step Up requires part-time tutors to hold an approved credential. Options include a valid Florida educator’s certificate, a teaching certificate from another state, a degree in the subject taught, or certification from a recognized research-based program such as the Orton-Gillingham Approach, the Wilson Reading System or the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year for grades K-3 and 900 hours for grades 4-12.
Common ways FES-UA families use tutoring:
- Reading support: structured, step-by-step instruction for a child who is behind in reading, ideally from a teacher with one of the reading credentials above.
- Math support: filling gaps from earlier grades at a pace that suits your child.
- Subject tutoring: English, science and other subjects at any grade level.
- Study skills: planning, organization and homework routines, often useful in middle and high school.
How do I choose the right teacher for a student with unique abilities?
Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring works best when the teacher’s training matches how your child learns. Five checks before you book:
- Match training to need. For reading, look for a structured-literacy credential. For math or another subject, look for subject expertise and classroom experience.
- Ask for credentials in writing. Step Up checks credentials for part-time tutors, and a good provider will share them with you too.
- Ask about IEP experience. A teacher who knows how IEPs and accommodations work can build on what your child’s plan already says.
- Agree on progress updates. Ask how often you will hear what was covered and what to practice at home.
- Confirm direct pay through EMA. With direct billing, you don’t pay out of pocket and wait for a reimbursement.
How do I use FES-UA funds for tutoring in EMA?
EMA (Education Market Assistant) is Step Up’s portal for applying, tracking funds and paying providers. Booking a tutor through the marketplace takes these steps:
- Log in to your EMA account.
- Click Marketplace on the left menu and choose Find Providers.
- Select the student you’re shopping for, then search or filter to find tutoring services.
- Select the service, choose a quantity and click Add to Cart.
- Go to your cart and click Reserve Funds, then contact the provider to schedule lessons.
The provider is paid from your child’s account only after the service has been delivered. Never share your EMA login with a provider: schools and providers cannot request or use it. If you pay a tutor yourself instead, reimbursement requests can take up to 60 days to be processed once all documents are received. The EMA marketplace guide walks through each screen.
Do FES-UA funds roll over?
Yes. Funds are deposited four times a year, and unspent funds can carry over from one school year to the next. Florida law prohibits new deposits that would raise an FES-UA account balance above $50,000. An account is closed and remaining funds go back to the state if two consecutive fiscal years pass with no spending.
Unique Abilities scholarship
Use your UA funds for 1-on-1 tutoring
- Certified teachers who get how your child learns
- The same teacher every week
- A written report after every lesson
★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews$0out of pocket through your UA scholarship
Why do Florida UA families choose Tutero?
Tutero lessons are billed to your child’s scholarship account through EMA, and families on UA or PEP pay $0 out of pocket. Lessons are 1-on-1 and online with certified Florida teachers, and 575 Florida families use Tutero. See how Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring with Tutero works, or read about online tutoring in Florida.
What's the bottom line?
FES-UA is the most flexible Step Up scholarship for Florida students with unique abilities: it can pay for tutoring, therapies, curriculum and school, and unspent funds roll over. Match the teacher’s training to your child, book through EMA so the provider bills your account directly, and check the handbook before buying anything new. For the payment walkthrough, read how to use Step Up funds for tutoring, or see Step Up For Students tutoring with Tutero. Ready to start? Tell us about your child and an account manager calls within 24 hours.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is trusted by 575 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: Scholarship-funded tutoring for unique abilities, How to choose a Step Up tutoring provider and How to use Step Up funds for tutoring.
Your next step
See how UA families use their funds for tutoring
Certified teachers who adapt every lesson to your child, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket.
Or keep reading: How to choose an approved provider →
“He was so confident, and I never see confidence in him.”
MaxineMom of Hunter, 9th grade
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, usually shortened to FES-UA or the UA scholarship, gives Florida families an education savings account they can direct toward tutoring, therapies, curriculum, school tuition and other approved expenses. Step Up For Students says the scholarship is worth an average of $10,000 per student.
This guide answers the questions parents ask most: what FES-UA covers and what it doesn’t, who qualifies, how much it is worth in 2026-27, whether it pays for tutoring, and how to book tutoring through the EMA portal.
Quick answer
FES-UA is Step Up For Students’ education savings account for Florida students with unique abilities, from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22. It averages $10,000 a year and covers part-time tutoring, therapies, curriculum, private school tuition and more. Through EMA you can use scholarship dollars without paying out of pocket.
Tutoring is covered on the UA scholarship
Families pay $0 out of pocket.
What is the FES-UA scholarship?
FES-UA is one of the scholarships Step Up For Students administers as a nonprofit Scholarship Funding Organization approved by the state of Florida. It works as an education savings account (ESA): public funds go into an account for your child, and you direct them to approved uses such as private school tuition and fees, online learning programs, private tutoring and other approved services and materials.
To receive and use the funds, your child must be enrolled in an eligible private school or in a home education program with a letter of intent filed with your school district. A student cannot be enrolled full-time in a public school while receiving FES-UA funds.
Who qualifies for FES-UA?
Your child must meet all of these requirements for 2026-27:
- Age: 3 years old on or before December 31 of the year you apply (or eligible to enroll in a Florida public school), and younger than 22 on or before September 1. The program runs through grade 12 or age 22, whichever comes first.
- Residency: a Florida resident, or a qualifying active-duty military family.
- An IEP or a qualifying diagnosis: an Individualized Education Plan, or a validated diagnosis from an eligible licensed professional such as a physician or psychologist. An IEP must be an official district IEP written within the past three years.
Qualifying diagnoses on Step Up’s list include autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision impairments, speech or language impairments, rare diseases and other health impairments. Step Up’s definitions note that “other health impairment” includes ADHD, and that specific learning conditions can include dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. Check the full list and definitions in the handbook before you apply.
FES-UA is the Step Up scholarship that starts youngest. PEP requires students to be at least 5 years old by September 1, and the private school scholarship is for students eligible for K-12 public school. For 2026-27, new FES-UA applications run from February 1 to November 15, 2026.
How much is the FES-UA scholarship worth in 2026-27?
The Florida Legislature sets the amounts each year, and your child’s award depends on grade level, county of residence and matrix level of services. For 2026-27, students at matrix levels 1 to 3, or who qualify through a diagnosis, receive between $9,627 and $14,381 depending on county and grade. Matrix level 4 awards range from $21,379 to $25,701, and level 5 from $34,429 to $39,091. The lowest amounts are in Volusia County and the highest in Monroe County.
For every county and the quarterly payment dates, see our guide to Step Up award amounts 2026-27.
What does FES-UA cover, and what doesn’t it cover?
Step Up’s FES-UA handbook lists the authorized uses of funds and how each one can be paid. “Direct pay” means the provider bills your EMA account; “reimbursement” means you pay first and then ask Step Up to repay you from the scholarship.
| Expense | FES-UA covers it? | How it’s paid |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time tutoring | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Full-time private tutoring program | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Speech, occupational and physical therapy, ABA | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Curriculum and instructional materials | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Private school tuition and fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Approved online or virtual provider, private-pay FLVS | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Standardized testing fees | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Specialized summer and after-school programs | Yes | Direct pay or reimbursement |
| Florida Prepaid and Florida 529 college savings | Yes | Direct pay only |
| School lunch, before- and after-school care | No | Not eligible |
| Traditional overnight summer camps | No | Not eligible |
| Anything already paid by insurance or an HSA | No | Not eligible |
| Cash payments to private sellers, including private tutors | No | Reimbursement denied |
| Paying a parent to teach their own child | No | Not eligible |
Source: FES-UA Family Handbook 2026-27, Appendix B and reimbursement rules.
Two rules catch families out. Items or services approved in the past may not be approved now, so check the current purchasing guidance before you spend. And if your child attends a private school, the scholarship goes to tuition and fees first, before remaining funds can be used for other expenses such as tutoring. For the full category list, read what you can and can’t buy with Step Up For Students.
Does FES-UA pay for tutoring?
Yes. Part-time tutoring and full-time private tutoring programs are both authorized FES-UA uses, paid by direct pay or reimbursement. Tutors who are credentialed can work with your child virtually, so online tutoring is an option.
Step Up requires part-time tutors to hold an approved credential. Options include a valid Florida educator’s certificate, a teaching certificate from another state, a degree in the subject taught, or certification from a recognized research-based program such as the Orton-Gillingham Approach, the Wilson Reading System or the Barton Reading & Spelling System. Part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year for grades K-3 and 900 hours for grades 4-12.
Common ways FES-UA families use tutoring:
- Reading support: structured, step-by-step instruction for a child who is behind in reading, ideally from a teacher with one of the reading credentials above.
- Math support: filling gaps from earlier grades at a pace that suits your child.
- Subject tutoring: English, science and other subjects at any grade level.
- Study skills: planning, organization and homework routines, often useful in middle and high school.
How do I choose the right teacher for a student with unique abilities?
Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring works best when the teacher’s training matches how your child learns. Five checks before you book:
- Match training to need. For reading, look for a structured-literacy credential. For math or another subject, look for subject expertise and classroom experience.
- Ask for credentials in writing. Step Up checks credentials for part-time tutors, and a good provider will share them with you too.
- Ask about IEP experience. A teacher who knows how IEPs and accommodations work can build on what your child’s plan already says.
- Agree on progress updates. Ask how often you will hear what was covered and what to practice at home.
- Confirm direct pay through EMA. With direct billing, you don’t pay out of pocket and wait for a reimbursement.
How do I use FES-UA funds for tutoring in EMA?
EMA (Education Market Assistant) is Step Up’s portal for applying, tracking funds and paying providers. Booking a tutor through the marketplace takes these steps:
- Log in to your EMA account.
- Click Marketplace on the left menu and choose Find Providers.
- Select the student you’re shopping for, then search or filter to find tutoring services.
- Select the service, choose a quantity and click Add to Cart.
- Go to your cart and click Reserve Funds, then contact the provider to schedule lessons.
The provider is paid from your child’s account only after the service has been delivered. Never share your EMA login with a provider: schools and providers cannot request or use it. If you pay a tutor yourself instead, reimbursement requests can take up to 60 days to be processed once all documents are received. The EMA marketplace guide walks through each screen.
Do FES-UA funds roll over?
Yes. Funds are deposited four times a year, and unspent funds can carry over from one school year to the next. Florida law prohibits new deposits that would raise an FES-UA account balance above $50,000. An account is closed and remaining funds go back to the state if two consecutive fiscal years pass with no spending.
Unique Abilities scholarship
Use your UA funds for 1-on-1 tutoring
- Certified teachers who get how your child learns
- The same teacher every week
- A written report after every lesson
★★★★★4.9 from 250 Google reviews$0out of pocket through your UA scholarship
Why do Florida UA families choose Tutero?
Tutero lessons are billed to your child’s scholarship account through EMA, and families on UA or PEP pay $0 out of pocket. Lessons are 1-on-1 and online with certified Florida teachers, and 575 Florida families use Tutero. See how Unique Abilities scholarship tutoring with Tutero works, or read about online tutoring in Florida.
What's the bottom line?
FES-UA is the most flexible Step Up scholarship for Florida students with unique abilities: it can pay for tutoring, therapies, curriculum and school, and unspent funds roll over. Match the teacher’s training to your child, book through EMA so the provider bills your account directly, and check the handbook before buying anything new. For the payment walkthrough, read how to use Step Up funds for tutoring, or see Step Up For Students tutoring with Tutero. Ready to start? Tell us about your child and an account manager calls within 24 hours.
How this guide was written
Written by Tutero’s Florida team. Tutero is trusted by 575 Florida families. We check our guides against Step Up’s official purchasing guides and family handbooks for UA and PEP. Rules can change, so confirm the details in your EMA account before you buy.
Related guides: Scholarship-funded tutoring for unique abilities, How to choose a Step Up tutoring provider and How to use Step Up funds for tutoring.
Your next step
See how UA families use their funds for tutoring
Certified teachers who adapt every lesson to your child, paid through EMA with $0 out of pocket.
Or keep reading: How to choose an approved provider →
“He was so confident, and I never see confidence in him.”
MaxineMom of Hunter, 9th grade.svg)
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FES-UA funds can pay for part-time tutoring, full-time private tutoring programs, therapies such as speech, occupational and physical therapy, curriculum and instructional materials, private school tuition, approved online providers, testing fees and Florida college savings plans. School lunch, before- and after-school care, and items already paid by insurance are not eligible.
Yes. Part-time tutoring is an authorized FES-UA use and can be paid directly through EMA or by reimbursement. Part-time tutors must hold an approved credential, such as a Florida educator’s certificate, a degree in the subject, or a program like Orton-Gillingham or Wilson Reading. Part-time tutoring is capped at 720 hours a year for grades K-3 and 900 for grades 4-12.
Step Up says FES-UA averages $10,000 per student. The amount depends on grade, county and matrix level. For 2026-27, matrix levels 1 to 3 or diagnosis-based awards range from $9,627 to $14,381, level 4 from $21,379 to $25,701, and level 5 from $34,429 to $39,091.
Yes. Unspent FES-UA funds can carry over from one school year to the next. Florida law prohibits new deposits that would raise the account balance above $50,000. If two consecutive fiscal years pass with no spending, the account is closed and the remaining funds are returned to the state.
FES-UA is an education savings account. The state funds it in four quarterly deposits, and once Step Up receives each deposit it can take up to two weeks to reach your child’s account. You then spend through EMA by booking providers in the marketplace, buying materials, or paying yourself and requesting reimbursement.
Step Up says reimbursement requests may take up to 60 days to be reviewed and processed once all documents are received. Requests for 2026-27 purchases must be submitted by July 31, 2027. Booking a direct billing provider in EMA avoids the wait, because the provider is paid from the account after each service.
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