Last verified: October 2026
Can a Broward family pay for occupational & physical therapy with Florida scholarship money?
It depends on the program: Unique Abilities: eligible; PEP: not eligible; Private School Scholarship: not eligible. Occupational and physical therapy are covered specialized services under FES-UA when Florida-licensed providers deliver them.
What are the rules for occupational & physical therapy in 2026-27?
These rules come from Step Up's 2026-27 purchasing guides and its September 16, 2026 summary of changes.
- The provider must be licensed through the Florida Department of Health or approved by APD or as an SIS provider.
- Sensory tools like balance balls, swings and fidgets are a separate instructional-materials category and are allowed.
- Adaptive exercise equipment needs pre-authorization.
What is not allowed for occupational & physical therapy?
The items below are excluded or need approval first.
- Medical devices and services outside the listed therapies
How do Broward families use occupational & physical therapy?
40 Broward schools name occupational therapy among their offerings. FES-UA money can reach an on-campus therapist as a school fee, or it can go straight to an outside clinic.
How does a Broward family pay for occupational & physical therapy?
Begin with MyScholarShop, where listed items need no further approval, and next try Find Providers in EMA so tutors, therapists and instructors are paid directly. If neither works, pay by card, save the itemized receipt and ask for reimbursement. Something the guides leave out must be approved before you buy it, and requests for 2026-27 approval stop on May 28, 2027.
Which programs allow occupational & physical therapy, and which do not?
Each program treats occupational & physical therapy differently, and the table gives the status for all three.
| Program | Status | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Abilities (FES-UA) | Eligible | OT and PT from licensed providers are authorized specialized services. |
| PEP (home-directed ESA) | Not eligible | Not available under PEP. |
| Private School Scholarship (FTC/FES-EO) | Not eligible | Not a permitted category. |
Related questions
- Can a Broward family pay for speech-language therapy with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for aba therapy (autism) with scholarship money?
- Can a Broward family pay for sensory materials & assistive technology with scholarship money?
- How much is the Broward award by grade?
- What can PEP and FES-UA pay for overall?
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Based on the FES-UA Purchasing Guide (FCSUA and Step Up For Students) and the PEP Purchasing Guide for 2026-27, plus Step Up's "Program Handbooks and Purchasing Guides: Summary of Changes" dated September 16, 2026. Treat this as a plain-language summary and not legal advice, since the handbook of your funding organization governs.