Communication
Expressive and receptive language abilities, speech clarity, augmentative communication needs, and ability to communicate wants and needs effectively.
Understand your Matrix of Services score and unlock the full funding your child deserves
Improve Your Score - Free CalculatorThe Florida Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides funding for students with IEPs to attend private schools or receive specialized services. Your funding amount is determined by your child's Matrix of Services score.
Families can receive between $7,000-$25,000+ annually depending on their child's support needs. This funding covers tuition, therapies, assistive technology, and specialized instruction tailored to your child's unique needs.
Any Florida student with an active IEP or 504 plan* may be eligible. The Matrix of Services assessment determines your funding tier based on five key developmental domains and special considerations.
Under Florida law, a student must have an IEP to receive FES-UA funding; however, students with 504 plans may be evaluated for funding if they meet certain criteria.
The Matrix of Services is a standardized assessment tool that measures your child's support needs across five developmental domains. Each domain is rated from 1 (minimal support) to 5 (extensive support), and these ratings determine your funding tier.
Expressive and receptive language abilities, speech clarity, augmentative communication needs, and ability to communicate wants and needs effectively.
Peer interactions, emotional regulation, social skills development, ability to form relationships, and behavioral responses to social situations.
Self-care skills, daily living activities, personal hygiene, feeding, dressing, and functional independence in age-appropriate tasks.
Learning abilities, cognitive processing, academic performance, problem-solving skills, and ability to access grade-level curriculum.
Conduct in educational settings, ability to follow directions, attention span, impulse control, and behavioral regulation strategies needed.
Your total Matrix score (6-22+ points) determines your Cost Factor, which directly impacts your scholarship amount. Understanding these tiers is crucial for maximizing your funding.
Highest funding level for students requiring extensive support across multiple domains. Covers comprehensive specialized services and intensive interventions.
Enhanced support level with increased funding for students needing substantial specialized instruction and related services.
Base funding levels that provide essential support services. Note: Cost Factors 251, 252, and 253 receive similar funding amounts, while 254 and 255 represent significant increases.
The jump from Cost Factor 253 to 254 (18 points) represents a significant funding increase. Similarly, reaching Cost Factor 255 (22 points) unlocks the maximum scholarship amount. Strategic IEP advocacy can help ensure your child's true support needs are accurately documented to reach these higher tiers.
Advocates ensure your child's support needs are properly documented in the Matrix of Services, preventing underestimation of required services that could result in lower funding tiers.
Advocates ensure your child is thoroughly evaluated to ensure all of your child's needs are investigated. This ensures your child's needs are properly documented in the present levels of performance.
Experienced advocates help craft IEP goals that accurately reflect all of your child's needs, not just academic ones. This ensures appropriate supports are provided to your child, potentially increasing your child's matrix score and funding tier.
Navigate the FES-UA application process with confidence. Advocates help gather required documentation, meet deadlines, and avoid common mistakes that delay or reduce funding.
Annual Matrix reviews can change your funding tier. An advocate ensures your child's evolving needs are consistently documented to maintain or increase your scholarship level year after year.
The Matrix is typically completed during your annual IEP meeting. For FES-UA applications, it must be submitted with your scholarship application. If you're new to FES-UA, request a Matrix assessment from your school district.
Yes. The Matrix is reviewed annually and can be updated if your child's needs change. Significant changes in support requirements should be documented through IEP amendments, which can trigger a Matrix reassessment.
You have the right to dispute Matrix ratings through your school district's dispute resolution process. An advocate can help you gather supporting documentation and present a compelling case for accurate ratings.
FES-UA scholarships are renewed annually as long as your child maintains IEP eligibility and you submit renewal applications by the deadline. Your Matrix score is reassessed each year.
Yes. FES-UA funds can be used for private school tuition, specialized therapies, curriculum materials, assistive technology, and other approved educational expenses—including homeschool resources and services.
Apply for the Florida Empowerment Scholarship through Step Up For Students, the official scholarship funding organization.
Visit Step Up For StudentsDownload the official Matrix of Services assessment form from the Florida Department of Education.
Florida DOE Matrix ResourcesAccess comprehensive information about special education rights, services, and procedures in Florida.
FLDOE Exceptional Student EducationConnect with experienced Florida advocates who specialize in IEP advocacy and FES-UA applications. Ensure your child receives the full funding they deserve.
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