Educational Choice Scholarships

• • Students from designated public schools may receive scholarships (up to $6,166 for K-8 and $8,408 for 9-12) based on income eligibility.
  • The funds must be used to attend participating private schools.
  • Every student in the state is eligible.
  • Approx 83,000 students received vouchers under the program in 2023-24. There are approx. 1,600,000 total students in the state.

E-Schools

• • Online public schools that are either state-wide or district based.
  • No tuition.
  • Student receives a computer and online access and same type of diploma as all other public-school students.
  • Some of the e-schools are for general education and some focus on drop-out and recovery.
  • There is an enrollment limit for each school that totals approx. 120,000 spots for all e-schools.

Cleveland Scholarship

• • Eligible students must reside in Cleveland Municipal School District. Amounts received are based on income level, maximum for 2024-25 was K-8 $6166 and high school $8408.
  • Scholarships can be used for tuition in eligible private schools.
  • There were approx. 9,200 students participating in the program in 2024.

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship

• • Provided to students with special needs that requires an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)—ages Kindergarten through age 22.
  • Amounts awarded are based on disability needs and must be used for non-public school services with an approved provider.
  • “The purpose of the scholarship is to permit the parent or other eligible applicant of a qualified special education child the choice to send the child to a special education program, instead of the one operated by or for the school district in which the child is entitled to attend school, to receive the services prescribed in the child’s IEP once the IEP is finalized, and other services agreed to in writing by the provider and eligible applicant that are not included in the IEP but are associated with educating the child.”
  • Scholarship only pays for the disability needs.
  • Approx 11,000 scholarships available in 2025.
  • Exclusions do apply.

Autism Scholarship

• • “Gives the parents of children with autism who qualify for a scholarship the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence to receive their education and the services outlined in the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Autism Education Plan (AEP).”
  • Children may be eligible when they turn 3-years-old.
  • 5,385 awards were given out of 5,610 applicants.

• • A private school that maintains compliance with the Operating Standards for Ohio’s Schools.
  • Not supported by state or local tax dollars but can qualify for several public programs such as Transportation services and more.

• • Donations must be made to a non-profit organization approved by the attorney general.
  • The receiving organization must award the academic scholarships to low-income primary and secondary school students.
  • The tax credit may not exceed $1500 for joint filers or $750 for individuals.

Here are state laws on the topic of homeschooling:

• Section 3321.042: A parent is required to provide notification to the district superintendent of the intent to home school and must provide an assurance that the child will receive education in English language arts, mathematics, science, history, government, and social studies. This exemption to compulsory public education is effective immediately upon receipt of the notice to the superintendent and the superintendent shall provide a written acknowledgment of receipt within 14 calendar days.