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Ohio Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

Ohio Homeschool Funding

Universal vouchers (EdChoice), special needs.

OH
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: EdChoice Expansion (Income-Based) Scholarship

Admin: Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW)

Typical award

Amount: Up to $6,166 (K–8) or $8,408 (9–12) per student; amount scales by household income. Special-needs scholarships can be much higher (see below).

Disbursement: Scholarship paid directly to the participating nonpublic school or registered provider (not a parent ESA).

Who qualifies

  • Residency: Ohio resident.
  • Age/grade: K–12 (program-specific details below).
  • Needs/other: EdChoice is universal but paid only when the student enrolls in a participating private school. The Autism Scholarship and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship require an IEP and approved providers.

Timeline

  • Application opens: Typically before each school year; EdChoice applications are accepted on a rolling basis via participating schools.
  • Deadline: Varies by program and school; sooner is better for fall start.
  • Fund availability: After approval/verification and school/provider acceptance.

Overview

Ohio does not offer a direct homeschool ESA. Instead, public funds are available when: (1) a student enrolls in a participating private school using an EdChoice Expansion scholarship, or (2) a student with a disability receives services/tuition through registered providers via the Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) or the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSN). Scholarships are paid to schools/providers—not to parents for general homeschool purchases.

Programs

EdChoice Expansion (Income-Based)

  • Type: Universal state-funded scholarship (voucher) for participating nonpublic schools.
  • Award: Up to $6,166 (K–8) and $8,408 (9–12). Award scales by income; families at or below 450% FPL typically receive the full amount.
  • Uses: Tuition and allowable fees at an approved private school (no direct reimbursements to parents; not for home-education purchases).
  • Admin: Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW); applications are submitted through the private school.

EdChoice Expansion Fact Sheet (PDF)  |  FY26 Award Amounts  |  Income Verification portal & guidance

Autism Scholarship Program (ASP)

  • Type: State special-needs scholarship for students with an autism diagnosis and an IEP; funds flow to registered providers/schools.
  • Award: Maximum $34,000 (FY26); paid to approved providers based on services delivered and the student’s plan.
  • Uses: Eligible special-education services, therapies, and/or tuition from registered providers and participating schools.
  • Admin: ODEW; families apply through an approved provider.

Autism Scholarship: How it Works  |  FY26 Award Amount Table

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSN)

  • Type: State special-needs scholarship for students with an IEP; funds flow to registered providers/schools.
  • Award: Varies by disability category (see official schedule); funds are paid to providers for approved services/tuition.
  • Uses: Special-education services, therapies, and tuition with registered providers and participating schools.
  • Admin: ODEW; families apply through an approved provider.

JPSN Program page  |  FY26 Category Award Amounts (PDF)

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student must reside in Ohio for all programs.
  • Age/grade: K–12 (program-specific rules apply for kindergarten start age and graduation-year eligibility).
  • Prior enrollment: EdChoice Expansion: no prior public enrollment requirement; student must enroll at a participating private school. ASP/JPSN: student must have a current IEP from the resident public district.
  • Income / IEP: EdChoice award scales by income (full award typically ≤450% FPL); ASP/JPSN require disability documentation/IEP.
  • Other criteria: Scholarships are not cash to families and cannot be used for general homeschool curriculum or supplies.

How to apply

  1. Choose your path. If you want private-school enrollment, contact a participating school about EdChoice Expansion. If your child has an IEP and needs services, identify ASP/JPSN registered providers.
  2. Start the application with the school/provider. For EdChoice, the school submits your scholarship application in the state system. For ASP/JPSN, the provider starts your application.
  3. Submit required documents. Proof of Ohio residency; student birth certificate; income verification (EdChoice) via the ODEW portal; IEP and evaluation documents (ASP/JPSN).
  4. Approval & services. Scholarships are awarded to the school/provider. Track status and invoices in the state portal; coordinate services or tuition payments through the school/provider.

Income Verification & Parent Portal

Covered expenses

  • EdChoice: Tuition and allowable school fees at participating private schools.
  • ASP/JPSN: Eligible special-education services and therapies delivered by registered providers.
  • Diagnostics, evaluations, and progress monitoring (provider-based).
  • Instructional support and certain specialized materials billed by providers/schools.
  • Not covered: Direct parent reimbursements for homeschool curricula, technology, or supplies.
  • Payments go to schools/providers after approval and invoicing.
  • Some services require prior authorization per program guidance.
  • Keep all documentation (IEP, service plans, invoices) in case of audit.
  • Amounts may be prorated based on start date or schedule.

Deadlines

Milestone Date Notes
EdChoice application opens Prior to each school year (rolling) Apply through a participating private school; awards may be prorated if mid-year.
ASP/JPSN application Year-round Scholarship follows state fiscal year; renew annually with updated documents.
Income verification (EdChoice) During/after school submission Upload via ODEW portal to determine award tier.

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can EdChoice funds be used for homeschool curriculum?
No. EdChoice funds are scholarships applied to tuition/fees at participating private schools. They are not ESAs and are not paid to parents.
Can we keep homeschooling and still use ASP or JPSN?
ASP/JPSN funds pay registered providers/schools for special-education services and/or tuition outlined in the student’s plan. Families using these scholarships typically work through approved providers rather than purchasing materials themselves.
Do homeschooled students get access to public-school activities?
Ohio law allows home-educated students to participate in extracurricular activities offered by their resident district; check with your district for sign-up windows and eligibility procedures.

Contacts

EdChoice Expansion

Email: edchoice@education.ohio.gov
Phone: 614-728-2743

ASP & JPSN

Email: autismscholarship@education.ohio.gov / jsp@education.ohio.gov
Phone: 614-728-2743

Law & regulations