Can Step Up Scholarships Pay for Specialized Summer Programs?
Summer education programs built for a child's specific learning needs, including reading and math programs.
The Short Answer
FES-UA covers specialized summer education programs, the kind built around a child's learning needs rather than a general camp. New Worlds covers summer programs designed to improve reading or math, for families who already hold an account balance.
Coverage is for specialized education programs, not ordinary summer camp or childcare. FES-UA needs a qualifying diagnosis or an IEP. New Worlds is not open to new students for 2025-2026.
What counts as a qualifying diagnosis?
Step Up publishes the list of qualifying conditions for FES-UA. The list is:
- Anaphylaxis
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down Syndrome
- Emotional or Behavioral Disability
- Hearing Impairment, including deafness
- High-Risk Child
- Hospital or Homebound
- Dual Sensory Impaired
- Intellectual Disability (severe cognitive impairment)
- Language Impairment
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Orthopedic Impairment
- Other Health Impairment
- Phelan-McDermid Syndrome
- Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Rare Diseases (defined by NORD)
- Specific Learning Disability
- Speech Impairment
- Spina Bifida
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Visual Impairment, including blindness
- Williams Syndrome
ADHD can qualify for the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) as an other health impairment, when the diagnosis is documented.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability, one of the diagnoses the Unique Abilities Scholarship (FES-UA) covers.
The diagnosis must be documented by a licensed physician (Florida or another U.S. state or territory), a Florida-licensed psychologist, or a Florida-licensed Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. A district IEP written within the past three years can be used instead of a diagnosis document. An evaluation or a 504 plan on its own is not one of those documents.
Step Up confirms how a specific diagnosis fits the program when you apply.
Which Programs Can Pay, and the Rules
Paying: Direct Pay in EMA, or pay the provider and request reimbursement.
The rule that decides it: Needs a qualifying diagnosis or an IEP, and it cannot be used while your child is enrolled full time in a public school.
Status: Not open to new students: Florida did not fund new New Worlds scholarships for 2025-2026. Only families with a balance left from a previous year can spend it.
New Worlds covers summer programs designed to improve reading or math.
Paying: Direct Pay in EMA only. Reimbursement is not allowed.
The rule that decides it: For public school students in VPK through grade 5 who are behind in reading or math.
The service also has to appear in the provider's approved EMA service catalog, and Step Up confirms coverage for your child's program. When in doubt, ask Step Up before the service begins, at (877) 735-7837.
Who Provides It, and How to Find One
Who provides it: An approved specialized summer program provider. The provider must be approved in Step Up's system for the service to be payable.
Approved providers are listed in Step Up's official directory inside EMA. Log in to your EMA account, choose Marketplace, then Find Providers to search approved providers and services near you. Step Up's steps for finding a provider in EMA.
Questions Parents Ask
Who provides Specialized Summer Programs?
An approved specialized summer program provider. Providers must be approved in Step Up's system. Approved providers are listed in Step Up's official directory inside EMA. Log in to your EMA account, choose Marketplace, then Find Providers to search approved providers and services near you.
What rules decide whether scholarship funds can pay for Specialized Summer Programs?
Unique Abilities (FES-UA): Needs a qualifying diagnosis or an IEP, and it cannot be used while your child is enrolled full time in a public school. New Worlds Scholarship Accounts: For public school students in VPK through grade 5 who are behind in reading or math.
More Services Parents Ask About
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Not Sure Which Programs Fit Your Family?
Answer a few questions about where your child goes to school and what your child needs, and see which Step Up programs may fit. It takes about two minutes, and nothing you answer is saved or sent anywhere.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Applications are made with Step Up For Students, not with this site.
Step Up Customer Engagement Center: (877) 735-7837, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
This tool gives general information only. It is not an application, and it cannot tell you whether your child is eligible. Step Up For Students makes all eligibility and funding decisions.