How much is the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) for a Duval County student in 2026-27?
In Duval County the 2026-27 FES-UA amount is $10,573 for students at matrix levels 1-3, $9,985 at level 4 and $9,793 at level 5, taken from the Duval row of Step Up's FES-UA amounts table. A student who qualifies on a diagnosis from an authorized professional, without a matrix of services, is counted at the levels 1-3 figure.
Amounts follow the county where the student lives on the application, and the Legislature resets them every year in the state budget.
Who qualifies for FES-UA in Jacksonville, and what documents prove it?
A student qualifies by being at least three years old on or before December 31 of the application year, under 22, and holding one of the listed diagnoses or an existing IEP. Florida residency, or a military parent's PCS orders into Florida, applies the same way it does for the standard scholarship.
For 2026-27 a physician assistant who is legally authorized to certify the documentation may validate a diagnosis on behalf of a Florida-licensed physician. A family with documentation in hand should upload it with the application rather than wait.
What can the FES-UA account pay for besides tuition at a Duval private school?
The account can pay for tuition and eligible fees at a private school, and also for licensed therapies, tutoring, curriculum, assistive technology and other approved categories, so one child's account might cover a school, an outside speech-language pathologist and a reading tutor. The spending categories page walks through each rule.
For 2026-27, tuition and fees at a hybrid eligible private school became eligible too, with a Student Learning Plan required when the student attends in person at least two full school days a week.
What is the deadline for FES-UA in Duval, and how do families switch programs?
New FES-UA applicants have until November 15, 2026, and accept by December 15, 2026. A student holds one scholarship at a time, so a family on another program uses Step Up's switching window; the next one runs October 2 to October 30, 2026 for Quarter 3.
Of the 180 Duval private schools in the state directory, 137 are listed as FES-UA participants, and 51 also tell the state which disability categories they serve. The diagnosis pages break that down.
Can a Duval family combine Unique Abilities Scholarship with other funding?
Usually yes with school-based and diocesan aid, but a student holds only one Step Up scholarship at a time, so the combination is a layered plan and not two awards. Complete the funding check and an advisor maps the layers for your child.
| Question | It is | It is not |
|---|---|---|
| Who directs the money? | The parent, through the Step Up account | A payment made only to a school |
| Does it pay for therapy? | Licensed speech, OT, PT, behavior analysis and counseling | Medical visits, devices or procedures outside the guide |
| Does income matter? | No, eligibility rests on documentation | A program with a household income cap |
| Is the amount flat? | It varies with the matrix level and county | One number for every student |
| Can it run alongside the standard award? | A student holds one scholarship at a time | Stackable with FTC/FES-EO or PEP |