SpectrumBeaconThe default tier is the trap
Families apply with a diagnosis, get an award, and stop there. The diagnosis door works. It also lands at the lowest band. Nobody mentions the second step.
Award tiers, 2026-27
Across published district rows on the official 2026-27 PDF, matrix 251-253 runs $9,627 to $14,381; matrix 254 runs $21,379 to $25,701; matrix 255 runs $34,429 to $39,091. Look up the child's own county. If a county is not in the extract we have, use the PDF. Do not invent a separate 3- or 4-year-old PK column. The 2026-27 PDF has no CPI footnote.
VerifiedSource: FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts, 2026-27 (Step Up For Students, official PDF) · How we verify
| Matrix level | Official range, 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| 251, 252, 253 (default range for most students) | $9,627 (Volusia 9-12) to $14,381 (Monroe K-3) |
| 254 | $21,379 (Volusia) to $25,701 (Monroe) |
| 255 | $34,429 (Volusia) to $39,091 (Monroe) |
Most children start at 251 to 253 unless a district matrix documents a higher level of need. The jump to 254 and 255 is still large. Do not assume 254 or 255 always go up. Those bands fell in many counties versus 2025-26. Miami-Dade example, 2025-26 to 2026-27: $10,697 / $10,100 / $9,945 / $22,405 / $35,973 became $10,909 / $10,304 / $10,106 / $22,361 / $35,884.
2025-26 comparison only
Kept as dated comparison, not current. On the 2025-26 table, matrix 251-253 ran about $9,500 to $14,000; 254 about $21,500 to $25,700; 255 about $34,700 to $39,300. Use the 2026-27 PDF for this year.
VerifiedSource: FES-UA award amounts by county and grade, 2025-26 (archive PDF) · How we verify
The award locks after first FLDOE assignment
The 2026-27 amount is set by grade and county at the first time FLDOE assigns funding in the school year. A later grade or county change does not change the dollars. Diagnosis from an authorized licensed medical professional funds at the 251-253 district band. 2020-21 Gardiner or McKay hold-harmless still pays the greater of the current calc or the 2020-21 amount. District equals county on the 2026-27 application.
VerifiedSource: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Scholarship Amount · How we verify
The matrix sets the money
The matrix is a district form. It scores how much support a child needs. FES-UA does not require an IEP. A diagnosis or eligibility determination is the path onto the scholarship. The award amount is still set by the matrix level.
Who can change the level
Step Up For Students administers the scholarship money but cannot change a child's matrix level. Only the school district sets the matrix.
VerifiedSource: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Matrix Level of Services · How we verify
That is the trap in one sentence. Step Up can pay the award. It cannot raise the band. If the level is wrong, the district is the office that can change it.
You can request a new matrix
A family can request a matrix, or a new one, at any time. Once requested, the school district must complete it within 30 days. The matrix is re-evaluated every 3 years, or sooner if there was an error. Private-school families go through the district's Parentally Placed Private School office, not the private school.
The 30 day matrix rule
You can request a matrix, or a new one, at any time. Once requested, the school district must complete the IEP and matrix within 30 days and notify you and FLDOE within 10 calendar days. Re-eval is every 3 years, or sooner to correct an error. Only the district sets the matrix. Step Up cannot create or change the level.
VerifiedSource: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Matrix Level of Services · How we verify
If a child's needs are underdocumented, request a fresh matrix. The 30-day deadline is a hard rule the district owes you. This page stops at that right. The Matrix Playbook walks the request, the five scoring areas, the documents, and the letter.
One scholarship per child
Florida runs several K-12 scholarships. Most are administered by Step Up For Students. A child can only be on one at a time.
One scholarship per child
You cannot stack FES-UA with FES-EO, FTC, or PEP. FES-UA and PEP are ESA style accounts whose unused funds roll over; FES-EO and FTC pay tuition at a participating private school.
VerifiedSource: FLDOE, FES scholarships · How we verify
The 2026-27 UA windows
Renewal UA apply February 1 to April 30, 2026, accept by May 31, 2026. New UA apply February 1 to November 15, 2026, accept by December 15, 2026. A renewal student is one funded for Quarter 4 on the same scholarship and not revoked. Miss a deadline, including accept after May 31, and they are treated as new. Deadline exceptions to April 15, 2027 are Private School and PEP, not FES-UA.
VerifiedSource: Step Up For Students, 2026-27 scholarship deadlines FAQ · How we verify
Quarterly public-school attestation
Beginning 2026-27, complete a Public School Attestation in EMA before each quarterly distribution. Windows: Q1 renewal August 15 / new September 15 (if you have both, both by August 15); Q2 November 15; Q3 February 15; Q4 April 15. Q1 public-school withdrawal by July 31, 2026. The FES-UA balance must be $50,000 or less by each attestation date or the next quarter can be blocked. The 2025-26 100 percent / 50 percent proration is deleted. As of August 18, 2026, the SUFS site banner still said Q1 attestation was open for August and September funded students.
VerifiedSource: 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Quarterly Attestation · How we verify
If the child has a disability and you want the most funding and the most flexible spending, FES-UA is the only one of the four keyed to disability. It is the only one whose amount rises with need level. The scholarship comparison on the Florida hub puts the four programs side by side. After the award is set, the reimbursement pack is the invoice, EMA, and 60-day review walkthrough.
Common questions
How much is the FES-UA scholarship in Florida?
It is not one flat number. Look up your county on the official 2026-27 FES-UA award PDF. Across published district rows, matrix 251-253 runs $9,627 to $14,381. Matrix 254 runs $21,379 to $25,701. Matrix 255 runs $34,429 to $39,091. Confirm your county before budgeting.
2026-27 FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts PDF. Verified .
Why is our FES-UA award so low?
A diagnosis alone puts most children at levels 251 to 253, the default band. Higher awards require a district Matrix of Services that documents a higher level of need. Step Up For Students cannot change the level.
2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Matrix Level of Services. Verified .
Can I request a Matrix of Services if my child is in private school?
Yes. Request it through the district's Parentally Placed Private School office, not the private school itself. The district must complete the IEP and matrix within 30 days and notify you and FLDOE within 10 calendar days.
2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB), Matrix Level of Services. Verified .
Can we stack FES-UA with another Florida scholarship?
No. A child can only be on one scholarship at a time. You cannot stack FES-UA with FES-EO, FTC, or PEP.
Florida scholarship comparison note and FLDOE FES page. Verified .
What this page is not
- It is not a way to inflate a matrix level. The matrix reflects documented need. Most children with lower support needs will score 251-253, and that is the correct outcome for them.
- It is not the request playbook. The Matrix Playbook is the step-by-step. This page is the question people search: how the tiers work, and why the first award is so often the lowest one.
- It is not a guarantee of any dollar amount.Award amounts vary by county and year. Districts make the rating decision. Always check the current year's table.
Sources
- FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts, 2026-27 (official PDF): the dollar figures by county and tier. The Hubfs FES-UA-Parent-Handbook.pdf is still 2025-26 (Effective April 2026). Do not cite it as 2026-27.
- FES-UA award amounts, 2025-26 (archive PDF): comparison only
- 2026-27 FES-UA Family Handbook (WEB): living source. Last modified August 12, 2026 as of our August 18, 2026 check. Matrix clocks, attestation, funding lock.
- FLDOE, FES scholarships: one-scholarship rule
- Step Up, 2026-27 scholarship deadlines FAQ: apply, accept, and attestation windows