The short answer: Florida doesn't have a program officially called "the autism scholarship." Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the qualifying diagnoses under FES-UA, Florida's scholarship for students with unique abilities, which is what most families mean when they search for one. FES-UA award amounts vary by county and by the student's ESE level, and funds can go toward therapy, curriculum, tutoring, and specialized resources.
Table of Contents
- Why There's No Program Called "The Autism Scholarship"
- FES-UA Eligibility for a Child with Autism
- How Much FES-UA Pays
- What FES-UA Covers for Autism-Specific Support
- How FES-UA Differs from PEP
- FAQ
Why There's No Program Called "The Autism Scholarship"
Step Up for Students runs several scholarship programs, but none of them is branded or marketed as an autism scholarship specifically. Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of roughly 20 qualifying diagnoses listed in FES-UA's Appendix A, alongside conditions like Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Speech Impairment. FES-UA, the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, is the program families are actually looking for.
FES-UA Eligibility for a Child with Autism
To qualify for FES-UA, a student must meet all of the following:
- Be age 3 or older, turning 3 on or before December 31 of the application year, or already eligible to enroll in a Florida public school
- Be younger than 22 as of September 1 of the application year
- Be a Florida resident, with an exception for active-duty military families with PCS orders to Florida
- Have either a current IEP, or a validated diagnosis from a licensed medical professional
Step Up's FES-UA Family Handbook defines Autism Spectrum Disorder using DSM-5 criteria: persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, documented by a licensed provider. Diagnosis documentation can come from a Florida-licensed physician, a physician assistant authorized to sign on a physician's behalf, a Florida-licensed Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or a Florida-licensed psychologist.
If your child already has an IEP identifying autism-related needs, that satisfies the eligibility requirement on its own, a separate diagnosis isn't required in that case.
How Much FES-UA Pays
FES-UA award amounts aren't flat statewide. They vary by county and by the student's ESE level, which reflects the intensity of support identified in the student's matrix of services. For the 2025-26 school year, ESE Levels 1-3 generally range from about $9,500 to $12,700 depending on county. Level 4 funding runs roughly $21,000 to $25,000, and Level 5 runs roughly $34,000 to $40,000, both varying by county. Families can check their own county's exact figures on Step Up's FES-UA Scholarship Award Amounts chart.
What FES-UA Covers for Autism-Specific Support
FES-UA funds go well beyond tuition. Families commonly use them for:
- Therapy services, including speech, occupational, and ABA therapy
- Curriculum and specialized instructional materials
- Tutoring
- Assistive technology and communication tools
- Sensory tools and adaptive equipment
Our Autism Resources subcategory lists providers approved for FES-UA spending, including National Autism Resources, alongside curated therapy aids, sensory tools, and skill-building products chosen specifically for kids with autism and related needs.
How FES-UA Differs from PEP
PEP, the Personalized Education Program, is Florida's other major homeschool-style scholarship. Unlike FES-UA, PEP requires no diagnosis, and its award amounts don't scale with matrix level the way FES-UA's do. A student with an autism diagnosis and a higher ESE level will typically see a meaningfully larger award through FES-UA than through PEP, since FES-UA funding is tied directly to documented need. Families should apply based on which program actually fits their child's situation, not assume PEP is the default.
Find autism support now: Browse Autism Resources providers on Florida Education Vendors →
FAQ
Is there a specific autism scholarship in Florida? Not by that name. Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the qualifying diagnoses under FES-UA, Florida's scholarship for students with unique abilities, which is what most families mean when searching for an autism scholarship.
Does my child need an IEP to qualify for FES-UA with autism? No. FES-UA accepts either a current IEP or a validated diagnosis from a licensed medical professional. A formal autism diagnosis on its own can qualify a student, even without an existing IEP.
How much does FES-UA pay for a child with autism? It depends on county and ESE level. For 2025-26, ESE Levels 1-3 generally range from about $9,500 to $12,700, with substantially higher funding at Levels 4 and 5. Check Step Up's official award amounts chart for your county's exact figures.
Can FES-UA funds pay for autism therapy? Yes. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy are all authorized uses of FES-UA funds.
Does PEP cover autism support the same way FES-UA does? No. PEP requires no diagnosis and doesn't scale funding by matrix level. A student with a documented autism diagnosis and higher support needs will typically qualify for more funding through FES-UA than through PEP.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific autism scholarship in Florida?
Not by that name. Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the qualifying diagnoses under FES-UA, Florida's scholarship for students with unique abilities, which is what most families mean when searching for an autism scholarship.
Does my child need an IEP to qualify for FES-UA with autism?
No. FES-UA accepts either a current IEP or a validated diagnosis from a licensed medical professional. A formal autism diagnosis on its own can qualify a student, even without an existing IEP.
How much does FES-UA pay for a child with autism?
It depends on county and ESE level. For 2025-26, ESE Levels 1-3 generally range from about $9,500 to $12,700, with substantially higher funding at Levels 4 and 5. Check Step Up's official award amounts chart for your county's exact figures.
Can FES-UA funds pay for autism therapy?
Yes. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy are all authorized uses of FES-UA funds.
Does PEP cover autism support the same way FES-UA does?
No. PEP requires no diagnosis and doesn't scale funding by matrix level. A student with a documented autism diagnosis and higher support needs will typically qualify for more funding through FES-UA than through PEP.