Important Message For Our Families
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Step Up For Students wants our impacted families to know that we are here for them in these trying times, and are committed to doing all we can to ensure their education opportunities will continue during the recovery. Please visit our Hurricane Updates page for the latest information.
Hi Step Up families,
Click the name of your student’s scholarship program for reminders and updates to be aware of.
Information varies by scholarship program. If you have children benefiting from different scholarship programs, please check each appropriate section.
2025-26 Application Updates
Mark your calendar: Applications for the 2025-26 school year for renewal and new students will be available starting Saturday, February 1.
RENEWAL STUDENTS: To ensure a renewal student receives priority, the application must be submitted by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After this date, all students will be processed as "new students" due to legislative changes for this year.
NEW STUDENTS: Please sign up here to receive updates.
Please note: Applications for the 2024-25 school year are now closed.
2024-25 Reimbursements and Pre-Authorization Requests
Reimbursement and pre-authorization requests for ALL FES-UA students are submitted through EMA.
Note for FES-UA Legacy Students (those funded through the FES-UA program since the 2022-23 year and before):
- If you submitted a reimbursement and/or pre-authorization request in the Legacy System prior to January 15, please continue to monitor your legacy for any outstanding provider invoices that need approval OR for requests to submit additional information for your request. If additional information is needed, you will have through February 13, 2025, to submit the requested information in the Legacy System.
- When submitting a reimbursement in EMA for a pre-authorization that was approved in the Legacy System, please provide the Legacy Pre-Authorization ID in the “Educational Benefit Field.” Please state that it is your Legacy Pre-Authorization ID (i.e., Legacy Pre-Authorization ID: xxxxxxxxx). Your Legacy Pre-Authorization ID can be found by logging in to the Legacy System, clicking on “Account Activity,” selecting the current school year and then clicking on the “Pre-Authorization Request” tab.
2024-25 Purchasing Guide
The 2024-25 FES-UA Purchasing Guide from the University of Central Florida is available here. For a helpful one-pager highlighting some of the changes within the guide, please click here.
2024-25 Handbook
The most current version of the Unique Abilities Handbook, as well as a list of any recent changes, can be found here.
2025-26 Application Updates
Mark your calendar: Applications for the 2025-26 school year for renewal and new students will be available starting Saturday, February 1.
The deadline to submit an application for renewing and new students is Wednesday, April 30. Due to legislative changes for this year, no applications will be accepted after this deadline.
NEW STUDENTS: Please sign up here to receive updates.
Please note: Applications for the 2024-25 school year are now closed.
2024-25 Awarded Student Requirements
For a student to be eligible to receive 100% of their 2024-25 scholarship award, a 2024-25 Student Learning Plan (SLP) must have submitted in EMA by Friday, October 25, 2024.
Additionally, those who utilized the PEP scholarship for the 2023-24 school year must have submitted their student's 2023-24 end-of-year norm-referenced test or statewide assessment results in EMA by Friday, October 25, 2024, to have been eligible to receive 100% of the scholarship award.
2024-25 Handbook and Purchasing Guide
The most current version of the Education Choice Handbook, as well as a list of any recent changes, can be found here.
You may also view the 2024-25 FES-EO/FTC/PEP Purchasing Guide here. For a helpful one-pager highlighting some of the changes within the new guide, please click here.
2025-26 Application Updates
Mark your calendar: Applications for the 2025-26 school year for renewal and new students will be available starting Saturday, February 1.
RENEWAL STUDENTS: To ensure a renewal student receives priority, the application must be submitted by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After this date, all students will be processed as "new students" due to legislative changes for this year.
NEW STUDENTS: Please sign up here to receive updates.
Please note: Applications for the 2024-25 school year are now closed.
2024-25 Enrollment Information
Students awarded an FTC/FES-EO scholarship must be “Enrolled” in EMA to receive funding.
IMPORTANT: The enrollment deadline to be available for review for 2024-25 funding was January 15, 2025. Students enrolled for the first time after this deadline will NOT be funded for the 2024-25 school year.
Students who were enrolled in EMA between October 26, 2024, and January 15, 2025, will be reviewed for a prorated scholarship award.
2024-25 Handbook and Purchasing Guide
The most current version of the Education Choice Handbook, as well as a list of any recent changes, can be found here.
You may also view the 2024-25 FES-EO/FTC/PEP Purchasing Guide here. For a helpful one-pager highlighting some of the changes within the new guide, please click here.
2024-25 Applications
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-25 school year. To be among the first to be notified when 2025-26 applications become available, please sign up here.
2024-25 Handbook
The 2024-25 New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Handbook is available here.
2024-25 Applications
Families may apply now for a 2024-25 Transportation Stipend. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please click here.
2024-25 Handbook and Purchasing Guide
The most current version of the Transportation Stipend Handbook, as well as a list of any recent changes, can be found here.
