FES-UA (Special Needs) & ESAs

Note:  On 3-27-23, new legislation reshuffling voucher programs in Florida was signed into law. There doesn't seem to be anything in the bill that would substantially change how this program works for Florida Unschoolers special needs students (FES-UA program). The funding for children who are not special needs (FES-FTC program) is not available to Florida Unschoolers students. See the links below to SUFS for more info on the PEP option and other private schools that take FES-FTC funding.

************************************************


The FES--Special Needs (UA) program provides funding for some special needs students who are not enrolled in public school. 

The organizations that manage the funding, Step Up for Students (SUFS) and AAA, each have their own process. 

SUFS sometimes requires a letter from Florida Unschoolers verifying that your child is enrolled the first time you apply but your child will not be funded until cross-checks with the public school system confirm they are not enrolled in public school. SUFS can have a substantial waitlist. No letter from Florida Unschoolers is required for renewals.

AAA sometimes requires a letter confirming enrollment with Florida Unschoolers the first time you apply but classifies Florida Unschoolers students as homeschoolers which is not, technically, correct. No letter from Florida Unschoolers is required for renewals. 

If you are applying for the first time and your child is enrolled with Florida Unschoolers, request a letter confirming your child's enrollment with Florida Unschoolers by email -- director@floridaunschoolers.net -- include your child's name, birthdate, and the grade they will be listed in with the FES program. 

For more information, contact SUFS or AAA. 

SUFS -- https://www.stepupforstudents.org/

AAA -- https://www.aaascholarships.org/

The FL DOE has some information here -- https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/fes/

There are also Facebook groups run by parents using this program. Here are a few:

FES-UA Parent Help & Advocacy | Groups | Facebook 

ADVOCACY for FL FES-UA (formerly Gardiner-McKay) Parent Advocacy | Groups | Facebook

Florida FES-UA Scholarship UNofficial support (formerly PLSA/Gardiner) | Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/687587161325676/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1849264868489345
https://www.facebook.com/groups/942029432618856
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FLPLSAparents