Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities

What is the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)?

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides families in Florida the ability to personalize and support their child's education. The scholarship is granted to school-aged children with a disability diagnosis (including but not limited to speech and language disorders, developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, Intellectual Disability, etc.) who do not attend public school. The scholarship grants each student $10,000 or more per year to spend on approved educational expenses like therapies, private school tuition, curriculum, and more. The funds are in an Educational Savings Account (ESA) that acts like a bank account, and families can use the funds to pay for approved services and products. Thriveable Therapies is a proud approved provider for FES-UA, making it easier for families to access the services they need. Visit the Step Up for Students website for more information about this scholarship by clicking here. 

How Much Is the Scholarship Worth?

The FES-UA scholarship varies based on factors like grade level, county, and the severity of the student's needs. The average scholarship amount is around $10,000 per student, per year. However, some students with additional needs can receive up to $34,000 annually.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the FES-UA scholarship, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Student is a Florida resident

2. Student is age 3 to 22 years old (or 12th grade, whichever comes first)

3. Student does not attend a public school 

4. Student has at least one of the following:

   • Completed IEP (Individualized Education Program)

   • Disability diagnosis from a physician (e.g., speech disorder, language disorder, Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, etc.)

   • Developmental delays in cognition, language, and/or physical development (considered "high risk")

How to Apply for the FES-UA Scholarship

To apply for the Family Empowerment Scholarship, visit the Step Up for Students website: Click here to apply. For further inquiries, contact Step Up for Students at 1-877-735-7837, or email info@stepupforstudents.org.

How to Use the FES-UA Scholarship to pay for Thriveable Therapies Services

Thriveable Therapies is an approved provider under the FES-UA program. Here's how you can use the scholarship to access therapies:

1. Pay for services: At the time of your appointment, you will pay out-of-pocket via cash or credit card.

2. Receive a superbill: After your appointment, you will receive a superbill via email, which includes the details of the visit and the amount paid.

3. Submit for reimbursement: You can submit the superbill to the FES-UA program for reimbursement. Click here for instructions on how to submit the superbill to FES-UA for reimbursement.

4. Once your request is processed, the reimbursement will be direct deposited into your bank account.