How does the UFA program work?
AUFA offers $8,000 scholarships to all awarded students. Though the UFA program does not exclusively service students who qualify for special education, the law does name the following approved expenses: “educational services for students with disabilities from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider, including occupational, behavioral, physical, audiology, or speech-language therapies.”
What’s approved?
Educational therapies and services can be approved with documentation (IEP, Service Plan or a written note from the child’s treating physician). Scholarship funds may not be used to pay for diagnostic testing or assessment.
Important points to consider
- The student’s disability must be education related, and affect the acquisition of knowledge or skills.
- Parents of scholarship students wishing to process an expense for any of the services listed above will be asked to produce their student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), Service Plan or a written note from the child’s treating physician.
- Allowable expenses will extend to education related technological devices, supplies or equipment purchased for the scholarship student’s use during these services.
Download our special education guide
Our Special Education Guide includes additional details about the UFA program and special education.
When applying for the UFA scholarship, parents agreed to the following statements:
1. A qualifying provider may not provide the same level of disability services that are provided in a public school.
What does this mean?
Public schools must adhere to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which guarantees free and appropriate public education and specific rights to children with disabilities and their families. Other types of qualifying providers, like private schools, aren’t legally obligated to follow IDEA but will use an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) instead of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). ISPs may offer fewer services and accommodations, so it’s advisable for families to assess a prospective provider’s offerings for students needing special education or accommodations.
*For more technical assistance regarding students with disabilities enrolled in private schools view this resource.
2. Agreeing to establish this scholarship account has the same effect as a parental refusal to consent to services as described under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
What does this mean?
When a parent enrolls their child in the Utah Fits All Scholarship program, they are simultaneously declining special education services from the public school. This means the school won’t provide any services, hold IEP meetings, or create further IEPs. If the parent requests it, the public school district will reassess the student’s eligibility for special education services.
3. The qualifying provider I select for my student’s enrollment or engagement is capable of providing education services for my student.
What does this mean?
A parent is the best person suited to choose the educational services, materials and environment for their student. This acknowledgement identifies the parent as the person responsible for assuring whichever provider selected by them will meet the educational needs of their student by reviewing both the services offered and those who are providing the services without interference or intervention from any other party.
Watch our Special Education Webinar
Our special education webinar is a great resource for answers to a variety of questions about special education and the Utah Fits All program.
