Estimate your child's Matrix of Services score and Cost Factor (Support Levels 251-255). See Unique Abilities scholarship amounts by Florida county. The matrix is completed by your school district and affects FES-UA funding through Step Up For Students.
What a higher matrix level could mean
Example reflects Monroe County, Grades K-3, from the 2026-27 Step Up funding chart. Your amount depends on county, grade, and matrix level.
The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) is Florida's state scholarship for eligible students with disabilities. It is administered by scholarship funding organizations such as Step Up For Students. Funds are deposited quarterly into an education savings account for eligible expenses, including private school tuition, therapies, curriculum, and assistive technology. Families searching for McKay scholarship amounts will find those awards under FES-UA; McKay was consolidated into this program.
Per Step Up For Students, your scholarship amount depends on three factors: your child's grade level, county of residence, and matrix level of services. Amounts are set each year by the Florida Legislature and published in the official district funding chart. Dollar amounts vary by county and grade.
To document a unique ability, families submit a district-provided Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a validated diagnosis of a qualifying condition listed in the FES-UA parent handbook. Students with an IEP are assigned a matrix level (Support Levels 1-5, also called Cost Factors 251-255).
Step Up For Students does not create or change matrix levels. Only your local school district can assign or revise them through the IEP process.
A matrix score is the total points from the Florida Department of Education Matrix of Services. The IEP team rates five domains from Level 1 through Level 5, then adds any special considerations points. That total maps to a Cost Factor (Support Level 251 through 255). Step Up For Students uses the district's matrix level, not a parent estimate, to set Unique Abilities / FES-UA scholarship amounts.
Domain ratings (1-5 in each of five domains) plus special considerations points equal the matrix score. Score ranges below follow Florida DOE Cost Factor brackets used for FES-UA.
| Matrix score | Cost Factor | Support Level | FES-UA funding band |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–9 points | 251 | Level 1 | Same district base amount as 251-253 |
| 10–13 points | 252 | Level 2 | Same district base amount as 251-253 |
| 14–17 points | 253 | Level 3 | Same district base amount as 251-253 |
| 18–21 points | 254 | Level 4 | Higher Unique Abilities award |
| 22+ points | 255 | Level 5 | Highest Unique Abilities award |
Moving from 252 to 253 does not change the scholarship amount. The largest funding step is from Support Level 3 (253) to Support Level 4 (254). See matrix level 254 requirements.
Instructional placement, curriculum modifications, and supports needed for the student to access and progress in the general education curriculum.
Peer interactions, emotional regulation, social skills, and behavioral responses in school settings.
Self-care, daily living skills, personal hygiene, feeding, dressing, and age-appropriate functional independence.
Health-related services at school, including nursing, medication administration, and monitoring of medical or sensory conditions.
Expressive and receptive language, speech clarity, augmentative communication, and the student's ability to communicate wants and needs.
The Matrix of Services form is usually attached to your child's IEP. If you do not see it, ask your school for the finalized IEP that includes the matrix pages.
Cost Factor 254 (Support Level 4) requires a matrix score of 18 to 21 points. That total comes from domain ratings of 1-5 across the five Matrix of Services domains, plus any special considerations points the IEP team documents on the Florida DOE form.
If you believe documented needs support Level 4 or 5, request an IEP meeting or re-evaluation. Under Florida Statute § 1002.394(7)(b)1, the district must complete the IEP and matrix within 30 days of your request. Estimate your score with the calculator, then find a Florida IEP advocate if you need help preparing.
Your total Matrix score (domain ratings plus special considerations) maps to a Cost Factor from 251 to 255. For FES-UA, Support Levels 1 through 3 (251-253) receive the district-average funding amount for students at those levels. Support Levels 4 and 5 (254-255) receive higher Unique Abilities award amounts set in the annual funding chart. Browse every county in the 2026-27 FES-UA funding table below.
For students with the most intensive documented support needs. 2026-27 example (Duval County): $34,797. Your amount depends on county and grade. See the official Step Up funding chart.
For students requiring substantial specialized instruction and related services. 2026-27 example (Duval County): $21,649. Amounts vary by county and grade.
For FES-UA, students at 251, 252, or 253 (and students who qualify with a diagnosis but no matrix) receive the same district-average amount for the 251-253 band. 2026-27 example (Duval County): about $9,793 to $10,573.
The largest FES-UA funding step is from Support Level 3 (253) to Support Level 4 (254). Moving from 252 to 253 does not change the scholarship amount. If you believe your child's documented needs support a higher matrix level, you may request an IEP meeting or re-evaluation from your school district. Under Florida Statute § 1002.394(7)(b)1, the district must complete the IEP and matrix of services within 30 days of your request.
Unique Abilities / FES-UA scholarship amounts for every Florida district from the official Step Up For Students funding chart. Levels 1-3 (Cost Factors 251-253) share the same base band; Levels 4 and 5 (254-255) receive higher amounts. Search your county below.
| District | ESE Levels 1-3 (251-253) | Level 4 (254) | Level 5 (255) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades K-3 | Grades 4-8 | Grades 9-12 | All grades | All grades | |
| Alachua | |||||
| Baker | |||||
| Bay | |||||
| Bradford | |||||
| Brevard | |||||
| Broward | |||||
| Calhoun | |||||
| Charlotte | |||||
| Citrus | |||||
| Clay | |||||
| Collier | |||||
| Columbia | |||||
| Dade | |||||
| De Soto | |||||
| Dixie | |||||
| Duval | |||||
| Escambia | |||||
| Flagler | |||||
| Franklin | |||||
| Gadsden | |||||
| Gilchrist | |||||
| Glades | |||||
| Gulf | |||||
| Hamilton | |||||
| Hardee | |||||
| Hendry | |||||
| Hernando | |||||
| Highlands | |||||
| Hillsborough | |||||
| Holmes | |||||
| Indian River | |||||
| Jackson | |||||
| Jefferson | |||||
| Lafayette | |||||
| Lake | |||||
| Lee | |||||
| Leon | |||||
| Levy | |||||
| Liberty | |||||
| Madison | |||||
| Manatee | |||||
| Marion | |||||
| Martin | |||||
| Monroe | |||||
| Nassau | |||||
| Okaloosa | |||||
| Okeechobee | |||||
| Orange | |||||
| Osceola | |||||
| Palm Beach | |||||
| Pasco | |||||
| Pinellas | |||||
| Polk | |||||
| Putnam | |||||
| St. Johns | |||||
| St. Lucie | |||||
| Santa Rosa | |||||
| Sarasota | |||||
| Seminole | |||||
| Sumter | |||||
| Suwannee | |||||
| Taylor | |||||
| Union | |||||
| Volusia | |||||
| Wakulla | |||||
| Walton | |||||
| Washington | |||||
County refers to the student's residence as listed in their 2026-27 scholarship application. Amounts are set by the Florida Legislature and published annually by Step Up For Students.
Florida advocates and remote advocates who help families prepare for IEP meetings and matrix reviews.
Angela Picardi
Special education advocate
Wesley Chapel, FL
Contact for rate
Julian Moreira
Special education advocate
Hialeah, FL
From $100
Evelyn Roman-Santos
IEP advocate, español
Leesburg, FL
From $120
Chelsea Horlacher
Special education advocate
Remote
From $50
Lyndon Parker
Special education advocate
Remote
From $65
A Florida special education advocate works with parents on IEP and matrix questions. You make decisions and give consent. An advocate prepares records, attends meetings as support, and helps you follow up with the district. Only your school district assigns official matrix levels.
Matrix scores come from services listed on the IEP, not from a separate test. If present levels or services understate your child's needs, the matrix rating may, too.
Your child may not have a matrix level yet, or needs may have changed since the last evaluation. The request should be in writing and specific about what you want assessed.
Under Florida Statute § 1002.394(7)(b)1, the district must complete the IEP and matrix within 30 days of your request.
Each matrix domain rating should reflect services your child needs in that area. Most parents have concerns but lack organized records or specific questions about listed services.
Applications through Step Up For Students require your IEP, matrix pages, and qualifying documentation. A missing page or outdated IEP can delay approval.
Matrix levels update when the IEP changes. Students at Support Levels 4 and 5 (254-255) need matrix review at least every three years. A brief annual meeting may not capture changes in support needs.
A matrix score is the total points from Florida's Matrix of Services form: five domain ratings (Levels 1-5) plus special considerations points. That total maps to Cost Factors 251-255. Step Up For Students uses the district-assigned Cost Factor to set FES-UA / Unique Abilities scholarship amounts. Use the calculator to estimate a score from ratings on your child's IEP.
Cost Factor 254 (Support Level 4) requires a matrix score of 18 to 21 points based on documented IEP services. It is the first FES-UA tier above the shared 251-253 district-average amount. Only your school district assigns 254. See matrix level 254 requirements for the full checklist.
Amounts depend on county of residence, grade band, and matrix level. For 2026-27, base awards (Levels 1-3) commonly fall around $9,600-$14,400 depending on county and grade. Level 4 and Level 5 awards are higher. See the county funding table on this page or the official Step Up chart.
The John M. McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program was consolidated into Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). Matrix levels and the Unique Abilities award chart now drive funding that families previously associated with McKay scholarship matrix amounts.
The IEP team completes the matrix when the IEP is developed. Per Florida DOE guidance, a matrix is required at initial ESE placement and at least every three years. For students at Support Levels 4 and 5 (254-255), a new matrix is required at initial placement and at least every three years thereafter. Many districts also update the matrix when the IEP is amended.
Only your local school district assigns or revises matrix levels. Step Up For Students administers scholarship accounts but does not create or change matrix scores. The district submits matrix updates to the Florida Department of Education.
Yes. If your child already has a matrix, you may request a re-evaluation once every three years, or sooner to correct a technical or calculation error. Per Step Up For Students, when your child's support needs change, an IEP amendment can lead to an updated matrix.
You may raise concerns at the IEP meeting and request changes to documented services. If you remain in disagreement, Florida provides dispute resolution options through your school district, including mediation and due process. An advocate can help you organize evaluations and present your concerns.
Per Step Up For Students, the amount depends on grade level, county of residence, and matrix level. Students at Cost Factors 251-253 receive the district-average amount for that band. Students at 254 or 255 receive higher amounts from the annual funding chart. Amounts are set by the Florida Legislature each year and vary by county.
Scholarships renew annually. Families submit a renewal application each year and must continue to meet eligibility requirements. Per Step Up For Students, funds are deposited quarterly into the student's scholarship account after acceptance and enrollment steps are complete.
Yes. Families may use scholarship funds for a home education program if they have filed a letter of intent with their local school district. Eligible expenses include curriculum, instructional materials, therapies, tutoring, and related services listed in the FES-UA parent handbook. Home education students do not need additional enrollment steps for quarterly deposits once eligibility is confirmed.
Step Up For Students publishes the official parent handbook each school year. It covers eligibility, matrix levels, funding schedules, and authorized expenses.
Read the FES-UA HandbookScholarship dollar amounts by county, grade level, and matrix level. Published annually by Step Up For Students after the Florida Legislature sets funding.
View District Funding AmountsThe Florida Department of Education matrix form and handbook explain how IEP teams rate each domain and calculate the Cost Factor.
Florida DOE Matrix FormApplications are submitted through Step Up For Students, a state-approved scholarship funding organization. You will need your child's IEP or qualifying diagnosis documentation.
Step Up For Students FES-UAAdvocates listed on Find Parent Advocates work with parents on IEP meetings, evaluations, and documentation. They do not assign matrix levels. That remains your school district's role.
Find Florida Advocates