Last verified: October 2026
Who can use the Unique Abilities Scholarship in Pinellas?
A Pinellas child qualifies, from age 3 up to grade 12, when a licensed professional has documented an eligible disability, or when the child already has an IEP.
Income plays no part. Eligible categories in state law include autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, other health impairments such as documented ADHD, and intellectual disability.
How much does FES-UA pay?
For a Pinellas student with a qualifying diagnosis or a matrix level of 1 to 3, Step Up's 2026-27 table lists $10,807 in grades K-3, $10,223 in grades 4-8 and $10,032 in grades 9-12; students assessed at matrix level 4 or 5 receive $21,788 or $34,842.
The money sits in an account rather than going straight to one school. That is the program's real strength: one balance can cover a school's tuition and a speech therapist on Thursday afternoons.
How many Pinellas schools participate in FES-UA?
111 of the 145 schools registered in the Pinellas district carry the state's FES-UA participant flag as of October 28, 2026.
The Pinellas file does not report which disability categories each school serves, so a flag tells you the school can be paid from the account, not that it has the staff your child needs. Ask about class size, specialists and accommodations directly.
Can FES-UA pay for a laptop?
Yes. Step Up's FES-UA purchasing guide lets the account buy a computer once every two years, with an earlier replacement possible only after pre-authorization.
This is a real difference from PEP and the Private School Scholarship, neither of which covers computers. The purchase has to serve the student's education, and the order is reviewed before it ships.
FES-UA compared with the standard Private School Scholarship
| Feature | Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Private School Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Documented disability or IEP | Any K-12 Florida student |
| Where money goes | Parent-directed account | Paid to the school |
| Therapies and tutors | Eligible | Not a standard use |
| Computers | Once every two years | Not covered |
| Starting age | 3 | Kindergarten |