EdChoice at a glance
EdChoice is the most popular of Ohio's five voucher programs; the national nonprofit EdChoice, which shares the name but does not run the program, counted 100,922 Expansion participants in 2024-25. Here are the 2026-27 basics from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
| Question | Answer (as of October 2026) |
|---|
| Maximum award | $6,166 for K-8; $8,408 for grades 9-12 |
| Who qualifies | Any Ohio K-12 student not eligible for the Cleveland Scholarship |
| Full award | Household income at or below 450% of the federal poverty level |
| Apply | February 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, through your private school |
| Pays for | Private school tuition only |
| Homeschool eligible | No |
Who qualifies for Ohio EdChoice
There are two doors to the same scholarship.
Traditional EdChoice is based on circumstances, not income. Students qualify if they attend or would be assigned to a designated EdChoice public school building (including first-time Ohio enrollees and new kindergartners), have a sibling with a traditional scholarship, previously had an Autism or Jon Peterson scholarship but no longer need special education services, are in foster care or kinship care, or meet the other cases the Department lists.
EdChoice Expansion is based on income and open to everyone else outside the Cleveland district. New Expansion applicants complete income verification, and since July 1, 2025 only federal or state Form 1040 is accepted.
How much is EdChoice worth in 2026-27?
The maximum is $6,166 for grades K-8 and $8,408 for grades 9-12. Expansion families at or below 450% of the poverty level receive the full amount. Above that, the award slides down. Selected points from the Department's 2026-27 award table:
| Household income | K-8 award | 9-12 award |
|---|
| Up to 450% FPL ($148,500 for a family of 4) | $6,166 | $8,408 |
| 500% FPL ($165,000) | about $4,360 | about $5,945 |
| 550% FPL ($181,500) | about $3,083 | about $4,204 |
| 600% FPL ($198,000) | about $2,180 | about $2,973 |
| 700% FPL ($231,000) | about $1,090 | about $1,486 |
| About 783% FPL and above | $616.60 | $840.80 |
Two more rules shape what you actually pay:
- Low-income status. Families at or below 200% FPL ($66,000 for a family of four) can't be charged tuition beyond the scholarship. They must submit income every year to keep that status.
- Fees aren't covered. The scholarship pays tuition only. Registration and material fees are on you.
Applications submitted after October 14, 2026 are prorated by how much of the school year remains.
EdChoice application: step by step
- Pick a participating school. Use the Department's Scholarship Provider Directory and filter for EdChoice Expansion.
- Get admitted. Your child must be accepted for enrollment before any application is filed.
- Hand the school three things: the Scholarship Request Form, your child's birth certificate, and proof of address less than 90 days old. Custody or foster documents may be needed.
- The school applies through a secure system only schools can use. The Department reviews within 14 days and tells the school about any errors.
- Verify income in the online Scholarship Income Verification System if you are a new Expansion family (or want low-income status). Upload your 1040.
- Accept the award. Award letters and acceptance forms arrive by mail; you can also check the parent portal.
Renewing? Students renew each year through grade 12 if they take all required state tests, have no more than 20 unexcused absences and remain Ohio residents. Expansion families don't need new income verification unless they want low-income status or their income or household size changed.
What EdChoice doesn't cover, and how families fill the gap
EdChoice is a tuition voucher, not an account, so it won't pay for tutoring, test prep, devices or materials. Families who want extra support typically pay for it separately: tutoring from providers like Varsity Tutors, Kumon or Mathnasium, or ACT and SAT prep like The Princeton Review for high schoolers. Free options such as Khan Academy help stretch the budget. Save options to your Edulist wishlist to compare costs, and check whether an SGO scholarship can help (see below).
Homeschoolers and EdChoice
EdChoice isn't available for homeschooling. Ohio homeschool families can claim the K-12 Home Education Tax Credit, a nonrefundable credit of up to $250 per taxpayer for books, supplies, software and subscriptions. See our Ohio homeschool guide and the Ohio scholarships overview.
The EdChoice lawsuit
In June 2025, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page ruled EdChoice unconstitutional in a case brought by public school districts, but stayed her ruling so the program could keep operating while the state appealed. As of October 2026, the Department is still accepting 2026-27 applications through June 30, 2027, and awards continue. Watch for appellate rulings before you sign multiyear tuition commitments.
Federal scholarship tax credit in Ohio
Ohio has opted in to the federal scholarship tax credit, according to the IRS's June 2026 list. From January 1, 2027, donors can claim up to $1,700 for gifts to SGOs on Ohio's list, which could fund scholarships for fees and costs EdChoice doesn't cover. Ohio also has its own SGO tax credit of up to $750 per person. Treasury's federal rules are proposed, not final. See how the federal credit works and Ohio donor options.