Can a Hillsborough family pay for this with scholarship funds?
Specialized service by a Florida DOH-licensed speech-language pathologist, an APD-approved provider, or a SIS provider. Online delivery is eligible.
PEP does not fund licensed therapies; a student needing therapy funding generally belongs on FES-UA.
Not an authorized category for the Private School Scholarship (unless billed as a school fee for services during the school day).
Rules that apply
- Provider must be licensed by the Florida Department of Health, approved by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, or approved as a Specialized Instructional Services provider.
- Services cannot be billed if health insurance or an HSA already paid.
- Credentialed therapists may deliver virtually from out of state.
What is not allowed
- Doctor visits, medical examinations and medical devices outside the listed services
- Duplicate billing with insurance
In Hillsborough
70 Hillsborough private schools report serving speech or language impairment. Many families pair one of those schools with an outside speech-language pathologist paid from the same FES-UA account.
How to buy it
Check MyScholarShop first (anything listed is pre-approved), then Find Providers in EMA for direct pay to tutors, therapists and instructors. Otherwise pay with a card, keep the itemized receipt and submit for reimbursement. Anything not listed as eligible needs a pre-authorization request before you buy; 2026-27 requests close May 28, 2027.
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Sources: FES-UA Purchasing Guide (FCSUA / Step Up For Students) with the 2026-27 summary of changes; PEP Purchasing Guide 2026-27; Step Up For Students "Program Handbooks and Purchasing Guides — Summary of Changes," revised September 16, 2026. Summaries, not legal advice; your SFO's handbook controls.