Step Up Resources
Using Step Up For Students for Speech Therapy
Communicating Above Barriers accepts Step Up For Students scholarship funds for eligible speech and language therapy services. This page explains the basics of Step Up, how families can learn more, and how approved families may use scholarship funds for speech therapy with CAB.
What Is Step Up For Students?
Step Up For Students helps Florida families access educational scholarship programs that may support a child’s learning needs. One of these programs is the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities, often called FES-UA. This scholarship may provide eligible families with funds that can be used for approved educational services, supports, and related expenses.
Step Up For Students explains that its purpose is to help families pursue learning options that best fit their children’s needs.
Can Step Up Funds Be Used for Speech Therapy?
Eligible families may be able to use approved Step Up For Students scholarship funds toward speech and language therapy services. For many children, speech therapy can support communication skills that affect learning, classroom participation, social interaction, and everyday life.
Communicating Above Barriers accepts Step Up For Students scholarship funds for eligible speech and language therapy services.
How to Apply
Families must apply directly through Step Up For Students. Communicating Above Barriers does not process scholarship applications or determine whether a child qualifies.
After applying, families can monitor their application through Step Up’s system and follow any instructions they receive regarding documents, eligibility, funding, and approved uses.
Using Step Up With CAB
Once your child has been approved for Step Up For Students funding, Communicating Above Barriers can help you understand how eligible speech and language therapy services may be handled through CAB.
You are also welcome to contact us while you are still exploring scholarship options. We can answer questions about our speech therapy services, availability, and whether our services may be a good fit for your child’s communication needs.
Important Note
Communicating Above Barriers is not affiliated with Step Up For Students and does not determine scholarship eligibility, approval, award amounts, covered services, or reimbursement decisions. Families should confirm current requirements, approved uses, and application details directly with Step Up For Students.
Helpful Step Up For Students Resources
Families applying for or using Step Up For Students funding should review the official Step Up resources for the most current information. Some of the most helpful areas to look for are:
Unique Abilities Scholarship / FES-UA
This is the scholarship most families are usually referring to when asking about Step Up funds for a child with speech, language, developmental, or other qualifying needs. Step Up’s Unique Abilities page explains the basics of the scholarship and how families can begin the process.
EMA Portal
Families use Step Up’s application/login system to apply, check scholarship status, and manage scholarship information. Step Up notes that approved funds are deposited into the student’s EMA account.
Family Handbook and Purchasing Guide
The FES-UA Family Handbook is the official guide families should review for program rules, scholarship use, documentation, and current requirements. Step Up describes the handbook as guidance for navigating the FES-UA program.
Reimbursements and Direct Pay Options
Some services may be handled through approved systems or providers, while others may require families to pay first and request reimbursement. Families should confirm the current process directly through Step Up before beginning services.
Step Up Support
If a family is unsure whether they qualify or how to use funds, they should contact Step Up For Students directly for scholarship-specific guidance.
Step Up’s Unique Abilities resources page includes the family handbook, purchasing guide, application checklist, EMA application help, and scholarship resource links. Step Up also notes that some purchases/services may be available without paying out of pocket through MyScholarShop or EMA, while other pre-approved purchases may require families to pay first and submit for reimbursement.
Before Starting Services
Before beginning therapy, families should confirm that their scholarship is active, funds are available, and the service they plan to use is eligible under Step Up’s current rules.
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