The Unique Abilities Scholarship (formerly Gardiner/FES-UA) provides funds to Florida families of children with certain diagnoses to use for educational services such as tutoring, therapies, instructional materials, and evaluations—including those offered by Elevate Pathways.

To be eligible, students must:

• Be a Florida resident

• Be at least 3 years old

• Have an eligible diagnosis (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, etc.)

• Have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, or a formal diagnosis from a qualified provider

As an approved Choice Navigator Provider, Elevate Pathways offers:

• Psychological / Neuropsychological / Psycho-educational Evaluations

• Skill-Based Vocational Assessments

• Situational Assessments & Job Exposure Experiences

Our services help high school students explore interests, build practical skills, gain real-world job exposure, and better understand learning and support needs. The focus is on clarity, confidence, and preparation for life after high school, not just eligibility or testing.

Choice Navigators are trusted providers vetted by Step Up to help families make the most of their scholarship. As a Navigator Provider, families can easily find, request, and track our services directly in the Step Up EMA portal—saving time and simplifying the process.

Families can apply directly on the Step Up for Students website. You’ll need to create an account, submit required documents (including proof of diagnosis), and select the UA Program during the application.

Apply here → www.stepupforstudents.org

1. Log in to your EMA portal: emma.stepupforstudents.org

2. Go to the Marketplace or Browse Providers

3. Search for Elevate Pathways

4. Select the service you need (e.g., Psychological Evaluation)

5. Submit a request directly—no phone calls or paperwork needed!

We’ll contact you to schedule after we receive your request.

Yes! We’re happy to talk through your child’s strengths, needs, and goals to help you select the most appropriate services. Feel free to contact us before requesting a service in the EMA portal for guidance.

Absolutely. Through Step Up for Students, we serve individuals from age 3 to 22. Many of our evaluations are designed to support transition planning, career exploration, and success in adulthood.

That’s where our Navigator role comes in. Reach out to us directly—we’ll guide you through your options based on your child’s needs, diagnosis, and goals. We can even help you coordinate with your Step Up funding.

Students who attend a public or charter school full-time generally do not qualify for Step Up scholarship programs that provide Education Savings Account (ESA) services, such as tutoring, therapy, curriculum, or other educational services.

In order to qualify for scholarship-funded services, students typically must be enrolled in one of the following:

• A participating private school

• A home education program

• A Personalized Education Program (PEP)

• A part-time or hybrid public or charter school program (when allowed under the specific scholarship rules)

If a student enrolls in a public or charter school full-time, most Step Up scholarships end and remaining funds are returned to the state.

However, families with students enrolled full-time in a non-virtual public school may qualify for the Transportation Stipend, which helps cover travel costs to a public school other than the student’s assigned school.

Important:
The Transportation Stipend is separate from ESA scholarships and does not provide funds for tutoring, therapy, or educational services.