Cost should never be the reason a child doesn't get the support they need — and for many Florida families, it doesn't have to be. Speech by Katie is a registered provider with Step Up For Students, which means qualifying families can often access speech therapy with little or no out-of-pocket cost.
If you've heard of these scholarships but found the details confusing, this guide breaks them down in plain language.
What is Step Up For Students?
Step Up For Students is a Florida nonprofit that administers state scholarship programs to help families pay for approved educational and therapeutic services — including speech-language therapy for children who qualify. You can learn more directly from the organization at [link to: Step Up For Students].
Two scholarships that can apply to speech therapy
Speech by Katie works with families using two programs in particular:
Unique Abilities Scholarship
This program supports students with qualifying diagnoses. For eligible families, it can help cover therapy services like speech-language pathology. If your child has a qualifying diagnosis, this is often the pathway families explore first.
PEP Scholarship (Personalized Education Program)
The PEP scholarship is designed for homeschooled students in grades K–12. It gives families flexibility to direct funds toward approved services, which can include speech therapy as part of your child's personalized learning plan.
Good to know: because eligibility and covered amounts vary by family and program, the best way to understand your specific situation is a quick conversation. We're glad to help you figure out where you stand.
How the process generally works
While every family's path is a little different, the broad steps look like this:
- Check eligibility and apply through Step Up For Students for the program that fits your child.
- Get approved and receive access to your scholarship funds.
- Choose your provider — Speech by Katie is registered to accept both scholarships above.
- Begin services, with billing handled through the program so many families see little or no out-of-pocket cost.
Why this matters for Tampa Bay families
These programs open the door to individualized, one-on-one speech therapy — in your home, virtually anywhere in Florida, or in coordination with your child's school. That means a child who might otherwise go without can get consistent, personalized support. You can find full details on our dedicated Step Up For Students page.
Ready to explore your options?
A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to start. On that call, we can:
- Talk through which scholarship might fit your family.
- Explain how services would work for your child.
- Answer any questions about getting started.
No referral is needed to reach out, and there's no pressure. We're happy to help you navigate the process, even if you're just starting to look into it.