TL;DR: At its standard level, Florida's Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) pays a Broward student $9,865 to $10,658 in 2026-27, and the two highest service levels pay $21,941 and $35,295. 244 Broward private schools carry the FES-UA flag, and new applicants have until November 15, 2026.
How much is the Unique Abilities Scholarship for a Broward student in 2026-27?
For a student with a qualifying diagnosis or a matrix level of 1 to 3, Step Up's 2026-27 table pays $10,658 for ages 3 to 4 and grades K-3 in Broward, $10,060 for grades 4-8 and $9,865 for grades 9-12. Matrix level 4 pays $21,941 and level 5 pays $35,295.
That compares with $8,494, $7,896 and $7,701 for the standard Private School Scholarship in Broward, so the base FES-UA amount is about $2,164 higher in K-3. The disability account is also parent-directed, which means it can pay a therapist or tutor instead of only a school.
How do the Broward FES-UA amounts compare with nearby counties?
Step Up publishes a separate FES-UA table by district. Broward's standard K-3 amount of $10,658 sits below Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, as the table shows.
| County | Standard K-3 | Grades 4-8 | Grades 9-12 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward | $10,658 | $10,060 | $9,865 | $21,941 | $35,295 |
| Miami-Dade | $10,909 | $10,304 | $10,106 | $22,361 | $35,884 |
| Palm Beach | $11,054 | $10,452 | $10,255 | $22,439 | $35,893 |
Matrix levels come from a school district's evaluation of the services a student needs. Most families start at the standard level unless the district has already assigned a level 4 or 5. Ask the Broward school district or Step Up which level applies before you budget, because the difference between level 3 and level 4 is more than ten thousand dollars a year.
Who qualifies for FES-UA in Broward County?
A Florida resident qualifies by turning 3 on or before December 31 of the application year, not yet reaching 22 or finishing grade 12, and holding a listed diagnosis. Step Up's list includes autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disability, speech impairment, language impairment, intellectual disability, other health impairment, emotional or behavioral disability, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, among others.
Documentation comes from an authorized licensed professional or an existing IEP. Step Up's site also offers its pages in Spanish and Haitian Creole, which helps families across Broward's larger language communities.
Which Broward private schools report serving each diagnosis?
99 Broward schools told the Florida DOE they serve at least one disability category, and specific learning disability leads with 77 schools. The table counts schools by the category they reported.
| Category reported to the state | Broward schools |
|---|---|
| Specific learning disability | 77 |
| Autism spectrum disorder | 71 |
| Speech impairment | 66 |
| Language impairment | 60 |
| Emotional or behavioral disability | 60 |
| Other health impairment (includes ADHD) | 55 |
| Developmental delay (ages 3-5) | 55 |
| Intellectual disability | 50 |
| Occupational therapy | 40 |
Reporting a category is not a promise of a seat. Each diagnosis page lists the schools by community, and every school page shows the exact categories the state has on file.
FES-UA or the standard award: which fits a Broward child?
A student holds one or the other, and the right choice depends on whether the child needs services beyond the school day.
| Question | FES-UA | Standard award |
|---|---|---|
| Paid to | A parent-directed account | The school |
| Pays a licensed therapist | Yes | No |
| Needs a diagnosis or IEP | Yes | No |
| Needs EMA enrollment each quarter | No | Yes |
| Broward K-3 amount | $10,658 | $8,494 |
A family that mainly wants the school to be paid on time, with no therapy needs, may prefer the standard award. A family with ABA, speech or occupational therapy bills usually gets more from the account.
What dates matter for a Broward family applying for FES-UA this fall?
New applicants for 2026-27 must apply by November 15, 2026 and accept the award by December 15, 2026. Step Up's fall switching window, for families moving between the Private School Scholarship, FES-UA and PEP before Quarter 3 funding, runs from October 2 to October 30, 2026.
What should a Broward parent ask a school before relying on a diagnosis count?
The state record lists categories, and it does not describe staffing, class size or therapy on site. Before you enroll, ask each school the following:
- Which licensed professionals work on campus, and which come from outside?
- Does the school accept a parent-directed FES-UA account for tuition, or does it require direct payment?
- How does it write a support plan when the student arrives with an IEP?
- What is the yearly cost beyond the account balance?
Schools that did not report a category may still help your child, and a school that reported one may be full.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Unique Abilities Scholarship for a Broward student in 2026-27?
$10,658 for ages 3 to 4 and K-3, $10,060 for grades 4-8 and $9,865 for grades 9-12 at the standard level, with $21,941 and $35,295 at levels 4 and 5.
Who qualifies for FES-UA in Broward County?
A Florida resident from age 3 through grade 12 or age 22 with a diagnosis on the state's list or an IEP.
Which Broward private schools report serving each diagnosis?
99 schools report at least one category, with specific learning disability the most common at 77.
FES-UA or the standard award: which fits a Broward child?
FES-UA fits a child who needs therapies or tutoring paid from an account; the standard award fits a child who mainly needs a school payment.
Related questions
- Which Broward schools serve autism?
- What can FES-UA pay for?
- How does FES-UA work in Broward?
- Which Broward schools serve a specific learning disability?
Sources
- Step Up For Students, 2026-27 FES-UA Scholarship Amounts by District (PDF)
- Step Up For Students, Unique Abilities Scholarship
- Step Up For Students, 2026-27 scholarship deadlines FAQ
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