Can a Duval family pay for speech and language therapy with scholarship funds?
Speech-language pathology is one of the specialized services Florida names for Unique Abilities students.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Allowed | Allowed when delivered by a licensed speech-language pathologist or another approved provider, including online. |
| PEP (family-directed account) | Not allowed | PEP does not fund licensed therapies, so a student who needs therapy usually belongs on FES-UA. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not allowed | Not a category under the Private School Scholarship. |
Which rules apply to speech and language therapy purchases?
- The provider must be licensed or approved as the guide requires.
- A session cannot be billed to the account if health insurance already paid for it.
What is not allowed under speech and language therapy?
- Doctor visits and medical exams
- Duplicate billing with insurance
How do Jacksonville families use speech and language therapy?
37 Duval private schools report serving speech or language impairment. A few families combine a school from that group with a separate clinic, and both bill the one FES-UA account.
How does a family buy speech and language therapy with scholarship money?
Browse MyScholarShop first, because its items are pre-approved, then search Find Providers in EMA to pay a tutor, therapist or instructor directly. Failing that, pay on a card and send in the itemized receipt for repayment. Anything not on the eligible list needs permission beforehand, and requests for 2026-27 stop on May 28, 2027.
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Sources: Step Up For Students purchasing guides for FES-UA, PEP and the Private School Scholarship (2026-27) and its summary of handbook and guide changes. These are summaries and not legal advice; Step Up's handbook controls.