Florida offers multiple scholarship programs to help families customize their child's education. Two of the most common options are the Educational Options (EO) Scholarship and the Unique Abilities (UA) Scholarship. This article provides a high-level overview of each program and highlights the key differences between them.
Educational Options (EO) Scholarship
The Educational Options (EO) Scholarship helps families access educational opportunities outside of their assigned public school.
Purpose of the EO Scholarship
The EO Scholarship allows families to:
✓ Choose a participating private school
✓ Access educational resources that support student success
✓ Reduce financial barriers to alternative educational options
Who May Qualify?
Students may qualify if they:
Are Florida residents, or the dependent of an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Florida
Are eligible to enroll in a Florida public school in kindergarten through 12th grade
Are between the ages of 5 and 21 on or before September 1 of the school year
For complete eligibility requirements, see FES-EO Student Eligibility.
What Can EO Funds Be Used For?
EO funds must first be used on private school tuition. After tuition is paid, any excess fund may help cover:
Instructional materials
Tutoring services
Curriculum
Approved educational expenses
Assessment and testing fees
Unique Abilities (UA) Scholarship
The Unique Abilities (UA) Scholarship is designed for students with qualifying disabilities or special needs.
Purpose of the UA Scholarship
The UA Scholarship allows families to:
Access specialized educational services
Customize therapies and learning supports
Purchase approved educational tools and resources
Build a learning environment tailored to their child's needs
Who May Qualify?
Students may qualify if they:
Are Florida residents
Are eligible for Pre-K through grade 12
Have a qualifying diagnosis or documented disability recognized by the state
Examples of qualifying disabilities include:
✓ Autism Spectrum Disorder
✓ Down Syndrome
✓ Cerebral Palsy
✓ Intellectual Disability
✓ Speech or Language Impairment
✓ Specific Learning Disabilities
✓ Hearing or Visual Impairment
✓ Traumatic Brain Injury
✓ Other qualifying conditions
For a complete list of qualifying disabilities, see Which Disabilities Qualify for the UA Scholarship?
What Can UA Funds Be Used For?
UA scholarship funds may be used for:
✓ Private school tuition
✓ Therapies and specialized services
✓ Curriculum and instructional materials
✓ Educational technology
✓ Tutoring
✓ Approved learning programs
✓ Specialized equipment
Program Comparison
| Educational Options (EO) | Unique Abilities (UA) |
Primary Purpose | Educational choice and flexibility | Specialized support for students with disabilities |
Eligible Grades | K–12 | Pre-K–12 |
Disability Requirement | No | Yes |
Private School Tuition | ✓ | ✓ |
Curriculum | ✓ | ✓ |
Tutoring | ✓ | ✓ |
Educational Technology | Limited to approved expenses | ✓ |
Therapies and Specialized Services | Generally not a primary benefit | ✓ |
Which Scholarship Is Right for My Student?
The EO Scholarship is generally intended for students who do not require disability-based services but would benefit from additional educational options.
The UA Scholarship is intended for students with qualifying disabilities who may need specialized educational services, therapies, technology, or other individualized supports.
If your student has a qualifying disability, you may wish to review the UA eligibility requirements before applying.