Florida FES-UA / Unique Abilities: provider guide
Prepare to serve FES-UA families through the right school or non-school provider account, documenting the practitioner and service qualifications required for your offering.
By ParentSurf / Sources reviewed
About this guide
An independent guide to Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), not an official application or an eligibility decision. Rules, application windows and available funds can change. Confirm your circumstances with the program before changing enrollment or committing money.
Before you start
Start with the service-category requirements
Therapy, tutoring, assessments and other supports have their own qualifying-provider rules. Review SUFS's non-school handbook for the services you actually deliver. A professional license must match the service; it does not authorize unrelated offerings.
Your next steps
Use the right SUFS onboarding instructions
The Direct Pay interest form sends resources but does not create an EMA account or register your business. Complete the separate account and provider onboarding process. Full-time private schools also need the school compliance route.
Connect the business and qualified service providers
Follow the provider hub's account checklist for business information and applicable practitioner records. Submit accurate service descriptions and any required credentials rather than assuming approval of the company covers every staff member or service.
Wait for the relevant approvals before billing
Confirm the approved service and payment process, then provide invoices that match what was delivered. Families retain responsibility for their scholarship account; provider onboarding does not decide the child's FES-UA eligibility.
Preparation checklist
Use this to get organized. The current official application or handbook controls the full requirements.
- Business account and authorized contact details
- Current credentials for the professionals and services being submitted
- Clear service descriptions, prices and itemized invoice information
Submit identity, financial, student and medical records only through the verified official process. Do not upload application documents to ParentSurf or include them in a public review.
Important distinctions
- The SUFS interest form is not a provider approval or account-registration confirmation.
- Do not promise that all therapy, equipment or services qualify merely because the child has FES-UA.
Official resources & further reading
State agencies and their program administrators are the source of application requirements. Older editions are labeled; check the program site for newer guidance.
- Scholarship application document checklist
Step Up For Students
- School and provider partnerships
Step Up For Students
- Non-school provider handbook
Step Up For Students
- Direct service provider onboarding instructions
Step Up For Students
- Private-school scholarship participation requirements
Florida Department of Education
- Unique Abilities application steps
Step Up For Students
- Unique Abilities scholarship overview
Step Up For Students