Last verified: October 2026. Checked against Step Up For Students' 2026-27 award tables, handbooks and purchasing guides.
How much is the Unique Abilities Scholarship for a Lee County child in 2026-27?
Step Up's 2026-27 table gives a Lee student $11,345 in grades K-3, $10,759 in grades 4-8 and $10,567 in grades 9-12 at matrix levels 1-3, which is also the amount for a student funded on a qualifying diagnosis alone. A Level 4 matrix of services raises it to $21,963, and Level 5 to $35,056. The matrix is completed by a school district, so ask about it if your child's needs are significant.
What can a Fort Myers family spend FES-UA money on?
Far more than tuition. The account can pay a participating private school, licensed speech, occupational, physical and behavioral therapists, credentialed tutors, curriculum, assistive technology and digital devices including a computer once every two years, specialized summer programs and evaluations. Families can mix them: tuition at a Cape Coral school plus an outside speech therapist, for example.
How many Lee private schools take FES-UA?
50 of the 71 schools in the October 28 state directory are flagged as Unique Abilities participants. Lee's list includes campuses built around autism and exceptional education, as well as mainstream Christian and independent schools that accept the account.
Can my child have FES-UA and the regular scholarship at once?
No. A student is funded by one program at a time. Families can switch between programs only during Step Up's published switching windows, so pick the one that fits before the first quarter of funding.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| A spending account the parent directs | A fixed payment to one school |
| Available from age 3 | Limited to kindergarten and up |
| Allowed to buy a computer every two years | Unlimited device purchases |