Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) enables families to personalize the education of their students by directing funds to where they’re needed most. The funds can be used for a combination of programs and approved expenses including therapists, specialists, curriculum, private school, a college savings account and more.

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How Does It Work?

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) provides access to an education savings account (ESA) that functions like a flexible bank account from which you direct funds to pay for tuition and fees for a private school, therapies, tutoring and more.

Families have the option to purchase products through MyScholarShop or services through EMA without having to pay out of pocket. However, they can still use providers or vendors outside of MyScholarShop and EMA for pre-approved purchases by paying upfront and submitting a reimbursement claim.

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1. Apply for a scholarship through Step Up For Students. You will need to show proof of your child’s age, diagnosis, and residency. Here is a checklist of documents you may need.

 

2. Once approved, funds will be deposited on a quarterly basis into an ESA on your student's EMA account.

 

3. Go to MyScholarShop to find pre-approved products or log in to your EMA account to explore services. Payments to providers and vendors are made directly from the ESA.

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​​​​​For more information on FES-UA, download our handbook.

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