Family Empowerment Scholarship with Unique Abilities (formerly McKay Scholarship )
Effective July 1, 2022, the McKay Scholarship transitioned to the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under the Unique Abilities category (FES UA). The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program under the Unique Abilities category (FES UA) gives families the opportunity to continue in their current public or private school setting or to use the additional options available through the FES UA education savings account model. This allows families to tailor their child's education to meet their specific needs.
For more information about FES UA, the Florida Department of Education has provided the following helpful links.
Stephanie DiGrazia, ESE Coordinator
Email: sadigra2@volusia.k12.fl.us
Phone: (386) 255-6475 x33264
Colleen Stevens, ESE Program Specialist
Email:cfsteven@volusia.k12.fl.us
Phone: (386) 734-7190 x74537
Dawn Starr, Teacher on Assignment
Email:dmstarr@volusia.k12.fl.us
Phone: (386) 734-7190 x76258
Family Empowerment Scholarship
General and application information are available at the Florida School Choice website.
Please contact the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice (IEPC) if you have any questions regarding Florida School Choice Programs. Toll-Free Information Hotline: 1-800-447-1636
Family Empowerment with Unique Abilities (formerly Gardiner and McKay), Florida Tax Credit, and Hope Scholarship Student FAST/EOC Registration
Students enrolled in private schools through the Hope/Family Empowerment/Tax Credit Scholarships MAY choose to participate in the Spring 2026-2027 SY administration of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), End of Course Exam (EOC), and/or the Statewide Science Assessment.
Please check back in March for testing information.
For questions regarding FAST/EOC registration for private school students, please contact the Volusia County Private Schools Program office.