FES-UA Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Unique Abilities

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is administered by Step Up For Students. It is an Education Savings Account (ESA) pathway for eligible Florida students with qualifying diagnoses. This page summarizes common eligibility themes in parent-friendly language. Only Step Up’s official rules decide eligibility—always confirm on their site before you apply.

Official Unique Abilities page: stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/unique-abilities

Eligibility themes families usually check first

According to Step Up’s Unique Abilities materials, a child generally must:

1. Be a Florida resident (military families may have added flexibility—see Step Up’s military guidance).
2. Fall within the published age window: roughly ages 3–22, with specific calendar rules.
3. Have a qualifying diagnosis from the program’s list (or meet school-based documentation pathways Step Up accepts, such as materials tied to an IEP when that is how eligibility is established).

Age rules (confirm each application year)

Step Up states that students must turn 3 on or before December 31 of the year you apply, and must not turn 22 on or before September 1 of the year you apply (or grade 12, whichever comes first, per their current wording). Treat these as program rules that can be restated in handbooks—re-read the official page for the year you apply.

Qualifying diagnoses include Autism Spectrum Disorder—and many others

Step Up publishes a long list of qualifying conditions. Autism Spectrum Disorder is included, along with many other diagnoses (for example cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, speech or language impairment, specific learning disability, and others listed on their site). Do not assume a diagnosis is ineligible or eligible based on a clinic blog—match your documentation to Step Up’s current list.

Diagnosis documentation typically needs to come from an eligible licensed professional as defined by Step Up. School teams sometimes establish eligibility through exceptional student education processes; families often ask whether an IEP plus supporting evaluations is enough—ask Step Up which combination of documents they need for your child’s situation.

What eligibility is not

• Eligibility is not the same as Medicaid enrollment.
• An award letter is not automatic approval of every therapy hour a clinic recommends.
• A clinic cannot “pre-approve” your Step Up application.

Practical checklist before you apply

1. Confirm Florida residency (or military exception path).
2. Confirm age cutoffs for the application year.
3. Gather diagnosis reports and/or IEP packets.
4. Create or access the account Step Up directs you to use.
5. Bookmark deadlines on Step Up’s site rather than relying on a saved screenshot from last year.

How Behavioral for Kids fits in

We work with families using FES-UA for approved specialized services such as ABA when purchasing rules allow. We can help you organize clinical questions and intake documents, but Step Up decides scholarship eligibility. Call (786) 360-2655 or email info@behavioralforkids.com after you review Step Up’s checklist.

Related guides

• How to apply for FES-UA
• Using FES-UA for ABA
• Step Up FAQs