How do I start the application process for 2024-2025?
Go to the “dashboard” scroll down to the list of applications and click the red “apply” button for the application you want to renew or start new.
What does it mean that I can only add one application per program?
If it is the cases listed above you can submit for the rest of the children and add your child later to the application when the initial application is showing the status “complete”
Should I submit an application if one of the children cannot be added now? (missing the diagnosis letter, the child will be turning 3 after Sept. 1st)
If it is the cases listed above you can submit for the rest of the children and add your child later to the application when the initial application is showing the status “complete”.
Can I apply to two scholarships per child and once awarded choose the scholarship I want?
No. If you get denied for the FES-UA scholarship you can then apply for the private school scholarship for that child.
Is there a sibling scholarship for FES-UA?
No. only siblings with a qualifying disability can be added to a FES-UA application.
What do the different application statuses mean? Submitted, Pending, On-hold, Completed
Submitted is when you first submit before it is reviewed, Pending-is when your application is being reviewed. On-hold– is when your application is missing documentation. Complete-means the review is complete and the award ID is available.
Where can I find the award ID?
Click on “my students” on the left side of the screen. Click on “view” next to your childs name on the table in the middle of the screen. Scroll down to scholarship status.
When do I give the award ID to the school?
Schools will notify you when it is time to submit the Award ID to be enrolled in the school EMA portal to use the funds for tuition and fees.
Why is it asking for income if it is universal?
The law still requires that priority status is given to those who fall into the income thresholds. Click here for the thresholds.
Do I have to add all household members who are not eligible for a scholarship?
No. Only if you want to be considered for priority income status.
If I am not am within the income priority status will it affect my ability to get a scholarship?
The state has invested an incredible amount of funding for the private school scholarship that the income priority status should not impact your ability to be funded.
If I am a renewal family will I be given priority.
Yes. The statue specifies that a renewal applicant is “once in always in” and will be processed as a priority application. However, if you wait too long to apply you may lose your priority status in terms of priority processing. You will still complete a shorter application as a renewal family.
How do I find the FES-UA ID number?
Click on “my students” on the left side of the screen. Click on “view” next to your child’s name on the table in the middle of the screen. Scroll down and you can view the FES-UA scholarship from 2023-2024 and find the FES-UA ID number.
Why is my child who is younger than 5 showing on the application as attending a “homeschool”?
The state does not consider a child younger than 5 school aged. Therefore, the system will default to homeschool for the current and upcoming year. (You can proceed with the application despite not being able to edit that section).
Why can’t I add my 2 year old to the application if they will be turning 3 after Sept. 1st but before the Dec. 15th cutoff?
The new legislation has not gone into effect for children turning 3 after Sept. 1st. Therefore, Step Up will send notification when these children can be added to the application.
Unique Abilities Scholarship
Designed to give parents an educational savings account to pay for approved services or products to support the education of their special needs child. The scholarship amount varies depending on the severity of the disability. (Scholarship amounts start on average at $9,500). Children as young as 3 can qualify until they turn 22 years of age.
Who is eligible?
Children aged 3 (by Sept 1) through 12th grade who have one of the following qualifying disabilities:
a. Autism Spectrum disorder
b. Cerebral palsy
c. Down syndrome
d. An intellectual disability
e. A speech impairment
f. A language impairment
g. An orthopedic impairment
h. Another health impairment
i. An emotional or behavioral disability
j. A specific learning disability, including, but not limited to dyslexia, dyscalculia, or developmental aphasia
k. Phelan-McDermid syndrome
l. Prader-Willi syndrome
m. Spina bifida
n. Is considered a high-risk child
o. Muscular dystrophy
p. Williams syndrome
q. Rare diseases https://rarediseases.org/for-patients-and- families/information-resources/rare-disease-information/
r. Anaphylaxis
s. A hearing impairment, including deafness
t. A visual impairment, including blindness
u. Traumatic brain injury
v. Hospital or homebound
w. Identification as dual sensory impaired
Where do I apply?
We recommend applying through Step Up for Students when applications open. There is a new portal called EMA (Educational Management Assistant) on the Step Up platform.
When is Step Up for Students 2022-2023 open enrollment period?
What are the scholarship amounts?
It varies depending on the disability and if the child has an IEP and has a matrix score. It is projected that it will be
in the range of $9,500. Click here for the award chart.
What is the process for renewal applicants on Step Up?
You must complete the intent to continue/ application that includes; demographic information and the name of the school the child will attend etc. NO documentation will be requested.
If I am waitlisted for the unique ability scholarship this year, am I guaranteed funding for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year?
Yes, as long as you reapply when open enrollment begins. The new bill expands the enrollment cap to cover the existing waitlist.
What documents need to be attached to a new application for processing?
- Proof of residency
- Diagnosis letter (Step Up) or Diagnosis Document (AAA
- Child’s Birth Certificate
What documents do I need to provide to show proof of residency?
A mortgage document or lease agreement, utility bill, or Florida driver’s license.
Can my child qualify without a social security number?
What kind of practitioner can give the disability determination?
The law states that it needs to either be a medical doctor or a licensed psychologist.
for Step Up, can you submit an evaluation from a Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational, or Physical Therapist?
No. A doctor (pediatrician) or psychologist must write a diagnosis letters based on the therapists evaluation.
Is there guide for the application process?
Yes. Teach Florida has created the attached guide to help you through the process.
Do I need to re-apply every year?
Yes. You need to reapply each year as a renewal applicant.
Do I ever have to requalify with a new diagnosis?
Yes. If your child has a high-risk disability then the year they turn 6 by September 1st, they will need to requalify under a different disability category.
How can the scholarship be used?
What is the deadline for submitting reimbursement requests for services and educational materials?
Each year, because of the state’s fiscal year, there is a deadline for submitting any reimbursement for expenses occurring June 30 or earlier by August 31.
Can the scholarship be used to pay for preschool tuition?
If the preschool is an approved provider. It cannot be paired with the VPK funding so families have to choose.
What is the process of getting my child a matrix review?
Once a child is conditionally eligible for the award there is an option to request a matrix review. (contact your public school of residence ESE department to make a formal request). A matrix review if for children with more severe disabilities.
When will funds be available?
You will receive quarterly payments in September, November, February, and April (Reimbursements can be backdated to July 1st.
