FES-UA vs FES-EO vs PEP
Which Florida scholarship fits your family?
Florida offers several scholarship programs — but you can only hold one at a time. This guide helps you choose the right one.
💡 Quick Answer: Which Scholarship Should You Apply For?
If your child has a documented disability or IEP, apply for FES-UA — it offers the highest funding ($9,627–$39,091/year for 2026-27) and widest approved uses. If your child doesn't have a qualifying disability but you want private school, consider FES-EO — it's open to every Florida K-12 student with no income cap. For homeschoolers without disabilities, PEP provides $7,463–$12,217 (typically around $8,000) for curriculum, materials, and tutoring. Florida law allows only one scholarship at a time.
Florida offers several scholarship programs for K-12 students, but choosing the right one matters — you can only hold one at a time. The three most common programs are FES-UA (for students with disabilities), FES-EO (for general private school enrollment), and PEP (for personalized education/homeschooling).
For detailed information on FES-UA eligibility requirements, see our complete eligibility guide.
Quick Decision Tree
→ Does your child have a documented disability or IEP?
Yes → Apply for FES-UA
No → Continue below
→ Do you want your child in private school?
Yes → Consider FES-EO (open to all — income only affects funding priority)
No → Continue below
→ Are you homeschooling?
Yes → Consider PEP (curriculum, materials, and tutoring)
No → Your child may not qualify for these programs
→ Is your child a struggling reader in grades K-5?
Yes → NWSA (New Worlds Scholarship) may apply
Note: New applicants are not currently being funded for 2025-26.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | FES-UA | FES-EO | PEP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Students with disabilities | Any student seeking private school | Homeschool families |
| Eligibility | Diagnosis in 23 categories OR active IEP | Universal — any Florida K-12 student (no income cap) | Homeschool declaration filed |
| Annual award (2026-27) | $9,627 – $39,091 | Up to $12,217 (typically ~$8,000) | $7,463 – $12,217 (typically ~$8,000) |
| Approved uses | Tutoring, therapy, curriculum, tuition, assistive tech, more | Tuition, tutoring, curriculum, materials (ESA-style) | Curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, materials |
| Payment method | Direct pay through EMA | Direct to school | Reimbursement or direct |
| Public school compatible? | No — must NOT be full-time | No — must NOT be full-time | No — homeschool required |
| Income cap | None | None (income sets priority tiers) | None |
FES-UA: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities
Best for:
Families with a child who has a documented disability (one of 23 qualifying diagnoses) or an active IEP.
Why it's usually the best choice for special needs families:
FES-UA offers the highest funding of any Florida scholarship — up to $39,091 per year (2026-27) for students with intensive support needs. The funding is based on your child's matrix code, not a flat amount, so children with greater needs receive more support.
The approved uses are also the broadest:
- ✓ Specialized tutoring (like what we provide)
- ✓ Speech therapy, OT, ABA therapy
- ✓ Private school tuition
- ✓ Curriculum and educational materials
- ✓ Assistive technology
- ✓ Transportation to providers
Payment flows through the EMA (Education Market Assistant) platform. When you work with an approved provider like us, we bill your EMA account directly — you never pay out of pocket or wait for reimbursement.
Families in Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg have been using FES-UA for tutoring services with great results.
FES-EO: Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options
Best for:
Families who want private school but whose child doesn't have a qualifying disability.
FES-EO is Florida's general-purpose education choice scholarship. Since the 2023-24 school year it has universal eligibility — any Florida resident eligible to enroll in K-12 can apply, with no income cap. Household income doesn't disqualify anyone; it only determines funding priority (families at or below 185% of the federal poverty level are funded first, then those below 400%).
Key differences from FES-UA:
- • No disability documentation required — open to every Florida K-12 student (income only affects funding priority, not eligibility)
- • Lower funding — up to $12,217 for 2026-27 depending on county and grade (no higher tiers for greater support needs)
- • ESA-style spending — private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and other approved uses, but without FES-UA's special-needs services like therapies
- • No matrix codes — everyone at the same grade level in the same county receives similar amounts
Note: If your child has a disability, FES-UA almost always provides more funding and flexibility than FES-EO. Don't apply for FES-EO if FES-UA is available to you.
PEP: Personalized Education Program
Best for:
Homeschool families without a child with disabilities who need help covering curriculum costs.
PEP (the Personalized Education Program, part of FES-EO) provides $7,463–$12,217 per year for 2026-27 depending on county and grade — typically around $8,000 — to families who direct their child's education outside of full-time school. Funds can pay for curriculum, textbooks, educational materials, and tutoring.
Key differences from FES-UA:
- • Lower funding for higher-need students — no matrix levels, and not designed for therapy or specialized services
- • Homeschool requirement — you must file a homeschool declaration
- • No disability requirement — but also no enhanced funding for special needs
Note: If your child has a disability and you're homeschooling, apply for FES-UA instead. For students with higher support needs the funding is dramatically higher, and it covers the same uses plus therapies and other special-needs services.
The "One Scholarship at a Time" Rule
Florida law is clear: a student can only hold one state scholarship at a time.
- • You cannot stack FES-UA + PEP
- • You cannot stack FES-UA + FES-EO
- • You must choose the program that best fits your child
For the vast majority of families with children with disabilities, FES-UA is the right choice. The funding levels dwarf the alternatives, and the approved uses are comprehensive.
Source: Florida Statutes 1002.394
When to Switch Programs
Sometimes your situation changes and you need to move from one program to another.
Switching TO FES-UA:
If your child develops a qualifying condition, gets diagnosed, or receives an IEP after enrolling in a different program — switch to FES-UA. The funding increase is almost always worth it.
Switching FROM FES-UA:
Rarely makes sense. The only scenario where you might consider it: your child no longer has a qualifying disability (the condition resolved or was misdiagnosed), and you want to continue homeschooling with PEP support.
How to switch:
- Apply for the new program through the same SFO (Step Up or AAA) or a different one
- Complete the application process for the new program
- Your current scholarship ends when the new one activates
- Timing matters — do this during the application window (February 1 – April 30 for renewals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between FES-UA and FES-EO?
FES-UA is for students with documented disabilities and offers higher funding ($9,627–$39,091 for 2026-27) with broader approved uses including therapy and tutoring. FES-EO is open to any Florida K-12 student — there is no income cap since 2023-24 (income only sets funding-priority tiers) — and works as an ESA with tuition, tutoring, and other approved uses, up to $12,217 in 2026-27.
Can my child have both FES-UA and PEP?
No. Florida law allows only one state scholarship at a time. If your child qualifies for FES-UA, that's almost always the better choice due to significantly higher funding.
Which scholarship has the highest funding?
FES-UA, by far. Maximum awards reach $39,091/year for 2026-27 (Matrix 255, Monroe County). FES-EO and PEP both max out at $12,217 for 2026-27, with typical awards around $8,000.
Does FES-EO cover tutoring?
Yes. FES-EO works as an education savings account, and tutoring is among its approved uses — along with private school tuition, curriculum, and instructional materials. FES-UA still offers broader special-needs uses such as therapies and higher funding for students with greater support needs.
Can I use FES-UA for homeschooling?
Yes. FES-UA funds can be used for curriculum, materials, and tutoring services while homeschooling. You don't have to be in private school to use FES-UA.
What if my child has ADHD — which program?
ADHD qualifies for FES-UA under "other health impairment." Apply for FES-UA to access the higher funding levels and broader approved uses.
What if my child has dyslexia — which program?
Dyslexia qualifies for FES-UA under "specific learning disability." FES-UA is the right choice.
Can I switch from PEP to FES-UA if my child gets diagnosed?
Yes. If your child receives a qualifying diagnosis, apply for FES-UA during the next application window. The switch happens when your FES-UA application is approved.
Is there an income limit for FES-UA?
No. FES-UA has no income cap. Eligibility is based on your child's disability, not household income.
What is NWSA and should I consider it?
NWSA (New Worlds Scholarship Account) is for struggling readers in K-5. However, new applicants are not currently being funded for 2025-26. If your child is a struggling reader AND has a qualifying disability, apply for FES-UA instead.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child has a disability, FES-UA is almost certainly the right program. The funding levels, approved uses, and direct-pay convenience make it the strongest option for special needs families in Florida.
We're a registered Step Up provider — if you're on FES-UA, we can bill your EMA account directly for specialized tutoring. No out-of-pocket cost, no reimbursement wait.
Book a Free Consultation →Last updated: July 2026
Related FES-UA Guides
FES-UA vs Hope Scholarship
Which Florida scholarship applies to your family in 2026.
FES-UA Eligibility Guide
Who qualifies, the 23 qualifying diagnoses, and deadlines.
FES-UA Program Overview
Matrix levels, funding amounts, and how the scholarship works.
How to Apply for FES-UA
Documents required, deadlines, and what to expect.