Step Up For Students Scholarships
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship to use towards therapy services, we would encourage you to apply for the following scholarships: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
Click here to learn more about the scholarship
Review the list of "Frequently Asked Questions" to better determine if applying for the scholarship is the best fit for your family below:
GENERAL FAQ for Step Up Scholarships
Q. I’m an active-duty military and currently live out of state, but I’ve been assigned to a base in Florida and plan to move soon. Are my children eligible for a scholarship?
A. Yes. If you are active duty and have been given permanent change of station orders to Florida you will be eligible for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO), Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), Personalized Education Program (PEP), or Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) before you make your move. You can apply with your base address or new Florida home address (if you have one) and upload your permanent change of station paperwork with your application.
Q. I’m an active-duty military and a resident of Florida, but I’ve been assigned to a base outside of Florida and plan to move soon. Can my children still keep their scholarship?
A. Yes, as long as Florida residency is legally maintained. Please note this option is only available to students on the FES-UA or PEP scholarships. Active-duty military with change of station orders out-of-state may apply for, or renew their FES-UA or PEP scholarships, if they can prove maintenance of Florida residency. You will not be eligible to keep FTC or FES-EO scholarships to attend private schools out-of-state.
Q. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time for my child?
A. No. Law changes prohibit applying for more than one private school or parent-directed scholarship at a time for your student. You can apply for a new scholarship once you’ve been denied or have declined an awarded scholarship. However, you may apply for both the Transportation Stipend and New Worlds Scholarship Account if your student qualifies.
Q. How can I decline a scholarship that I’ve applied for?
A. You can use this form here to decline a scholarship.
Q. My student was attending a private school on scholarship, but now we attend a public school. What happened to my scholarship? Am I eligible for anything else?
A. If you had an FTC, FES-EO, FES-UA, PEP, or Hope scholarship and enrolled in a public school, your scholarship will end, and the remaining funds will be returned to the state. As a public-school student, you may be eligible for a New Worlds Scholarship Account or a Transportation Stipend.
Q. I was awarded an FES-EO or FTC scholarship for my student, but we now want the FES-UA scholarship instead. How do I apply?
A. You will need to decline the scholarship you were awarded and apply for the scholarship you want as a new student. You can decline a scholarship using this form here.
Q. What is the scholarship value for my county?
A. Official scholarship values will be posted once the new budget is approved by the governor.
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) FAQ's
Q. Is the FES-UA enrollment cap increasing?
A. Yes. The legislature approved an increase of more than 20,000 students. The enrollment cap exemptions, such as being enrolled in a public school in the prior year, remain in place.
Q. How much will the FES-UA scholarships be worth in 2024-25?
A. FES-UA scholarships vary by grade, county and severity of need. The average scholarship is about $10,000, though children with matrix scores of 254 or 255 will see between $22,000 and $34,000 on average.
Q. Where can I see the scholarship values by county?
A. Official scholarship values will be posted once the new budget is approved by the Governor.
Q. Can I use the FES-UA funds to pay for private school tuition and fees for my pre-K student?
A. Yes, you can pay for preschool tuition and fees at an eligible private school.
Q. Can I get FES-UA and VPK for my preschool student?
A. Yes. You can have FES-UA and VPK to pay for preschool tuition and fees.
Additional links helpful to learning more about StepUp for Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
Parent Provider Search Video for Requesting Services
Awarded Unique Abilities Scholarship Video
Unique abilities Scholarship Information Video
Once you have applied and been awarded the above scholarship please request services by clicking here to login into your scholarship account.
For help to request services from a provider in our office please check out this video here to begin the process for requesting services.
Request services from one of our providers at Florida Art Therapy Services:
Please reach out if you have any questions to schedule services by calling or texting us at 239-297-7099.
Cancellation Policy
If you are unable to attend a session, please make sure you cancel at least 24 hours beforehand.
I understand I am utilizing Step Up funds to pay for services for my son/daughter. In the event the Step Up Funds run out and or expire I will be responsible for paying for services rendered.
Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the therapists' day that could have been filled by another client. As such, we require a 24 hour notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Clients who provide less than 24 hours notice, or miss their appointment, will be charged the full fee to the card on file. We appreciate your understanding.
Any Other Questions
Please contact us for any additional questions you may have by calling or texting us at 239-297-7099 .
We look forward to hearing from you!