EdChoice Scholarship 2027: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Amounts, and Application Process

The EdChoice Scholarship is Ohio’s state-funded school choice program that helps K-12 families afford private school tuition. Whether you’re exploring the Traditional EdChoice Scholarship or the income-based EdChoice Expansion Scholarship, this complete 2026-2027 guide explains who qualifies, how much you can receive, when to apply, and step-by-step instructions to secure your award.

With scholarship amounts of $6,166 for grades K-8 and $8,408 for grades 9-12, and nearly every Ohio family now eligible for at least a minimum award, the Ohio EdChoice Scholarship has become one of the most accessible private school funding options in the United States.

Table of Contents

Official Resources at a Glance:

What Is the EdChoice Scholarship Program?

The EdChoice Scholarship Program provides state-funded scholarships to Ohio K-12 students so they can attend participating private and chartered nonpublic schools. Administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the program is designed to give families more educational options when their assigned public school does not meet their child’s needs.

There are two main pathways under the EdChoice umbrella:

Together, these two programs make up Ohio’s broadest school choice initiative and form a cornerstone of the state’s private school voucher landscape.

EdChoice Scholarship Amounts for 2027

According to the official EdChoice Scholarship Program Fact Sheet for 2027, the maximum EdChoice Scholarship value is:

  • $6,166 per year – Students in grades K-8
  • $8,408 per year – Students in grades 9-12

Under the Traditional EdChoice Scholarship, eligible students receive the full amount regardless of family income. Under the EdChoice Expansion program, awards are calculated on a sliding scale based on household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). See the official 2027 Income Eligibility Requirements:

  • Households at or below 450% of the FPL qualify for the maximum scholarship amount.
  • Households above 451% of the FPL receive a prorated scholarship.
  • Every Ohio family qualifies for at least a minimum EdChoice scholarship — currently $616.60 for K-8 and $840.80 for grades 9-12 — even at the highest income levels.
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Families at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for “low-income status,” which means they pay no tuition beyond what the scholarship covers (registration and material fees may still apply).

EdChoice Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Traditional EdChoice Eligibility

Your child may qualify for the Traditional EdChoice Scholarship if any of the following apply:

  • The student is entering grades K-12 and would be assigned to a designated EdChoice public school building, regardless of where they attended school previously.
  • The student is currently enrolled at and attending a designated EdChoice public school building in their district of residence. (Check the EdChoice Designated Schools list.)
  • The student has a sibling who received a Traditional EdChoice Scholarship in the preceding year.
  • The student previously received an Autism Scholarship or Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship but no longer qualifies for an IEP.
  • The student is a foster child or resides in a certified foster home.
  • The student is in kinship care, lives with a legal guardian, or is homeless (or shares a household with a child in this situation for at least 45 consecutive days).

The Traditional EdChoice program is capped at 60,000 scholarships statewide, but the cap has rarely been reached in recent years.

EdChoice Expansion Eligibility

The EdChoice Expansion Scholarship is open to all Ohio K-12 students, regardless of their assigned public school’s performance rating. Eligibility is based purely on income, and because every family qualifies for at least the minimum award, virtually every Ohio family with a school-aged child can benefit. Full details are available on the official EdChoice Expansion page.

EdChoice Scholarship Income Limits & Federal Poverty Level Chart

Under the EdChoice Expansion program, your scholarship amount is determined by your household’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) compared to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The state uses your most recent federal tax return for verification. Updated FPL guidelines are published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Key income thresholds for the EdChoice Expansion 2026-2027 program:

  • At or below 200% FPL – Qualifies for “low-income status.” Family owes no tuition above the scholarship amount.
  • 201% to 450% FPL – Eligible for the maximum scholarship amount.
  • 451% FPL and above – Scholarship is prorated, with a guaranteed minimum award.

To estimate your scholarship amount, use the official EdChoice Calculator on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce EdChoice Expansion Resources page.

How to Apply for the EdChoice Scholarship (Step-by-Step)

The application process for both Traditional and Expansion EdChoice is similar. The participating private school — not the family — submits the scholarship application through Ohio’s secure online portal. Full instructions are on the official How to Apply for an EdChoice Scholarship page.

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Step 1: Choose a Participating Private School

Use the official Ohio EdChoice Provider Search to find chartered nonpublic schools that accept EdChoice in your county. Tour your top choices and confirm they participate in the program.

Step 2: Apply for Admission

Your child must be accepted into the private school before any EdChoice application can be submitted. Complete the school’s standard admissions process.

Step 3: Create an OH|ID Account

Parents must create an account on Ohio’s OH|ID portal to complete income verification (required only for Expansion applicants and low-income status families).

Step 4: Submit Required Documents to the School

Provide the following to your private school:

  • Completed and signed EdChoice Scholarship Request Form
  • Copy of the student’s birth certificate
  • Current proof of address dated within the last 90 days (utility bill is preferred, with both service and mailing address matching)
  • If applicable: notarized custody letter, foster care documentation, or guardianship paperwork

Step 5: Complete Income Verification (Expansion Only)

New EdChoice Expansion applicants must complete income verification through the OH|ID Income Verification System. Upload your most recent federal tax return showing your household AGI.

Step 6: Wait for the State’s Decision

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce reviews applications within 14 days. Once approved, the state mails a Scholarship Acceptance Letter to the family. Sign and return the letter to the private school’s business office, and the scholarship funds will be applied directly to your child’s tuition account.

EdChoice Scholarship 2026-2027 Application Deadlines

Mark these critical dates on your calendar:

  • February 1, 2026 – Application window opens for the 2026-2027 school year (Traditional EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion).
  • October 14, 2026 – Applications submitted after this date are prorated based on how much of the school year remains.
  • June 30, 2027 – Final deadline for the 2026-2027 school year application window.

For the current 2025-2026 school year, applications remain open through June 30, 2026, though scholarships received after October 14, 2025 are prorated.

Pro tip: Apply between February and April. Early applicants receive the full annual scholarship amount, more time to resolve any documentation issues, and earlier financial planning certainty.

What Can the EdChoice Scholarship Be Used For?

The EdChoice Scholarship can only be used for tuition at a participating chartered nonpublic school. It does not cover:

  • Registration fees
  • Book or material fees
  • Uniforms, activity fees, or athletic fees
  • Transportation costs

If the private school’s tuition exceeds the scholarship amount and your family does not qualify for low-income status, you are responsible for the difference. Some schools offer volunteer service options to offset the remaining balance — ask the admissions office.

EdChoice Scholarship Renewal

Once awarded, EdChoice Scholarships are renewable through 12th-grade graduation as long as the student continues attending a participating private school. To renew:

  • Submit a completed Scholarship Renewal Form
  • Provide updated proof of address less than 90 days old
  • Low-income status families must re-verify income annually
  • Expansion families generally do not need to re-verify income unless their FPL has decreased (which could increase their award)
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EdChoice vs. EdChoice Expansion: Which Should You Choose?

If your child qualifies for both Traditional EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion, you can choose which program to enroll in. For families above 200% FPL, Traditional EdChoice is usually the better option because the award is not reduced based on household income.

Feature Traditional EdChoice EdChoice Expansion
Eligibility Assigned to designated school + special circumstances All Ohio K-12 students
Income-based? No Yes (sliding scale)
Income verification required? Only for low-income status Yes, for new applicants
K-8 maximum award $6,166 $6,166
9-12 maximum award $8,408 $8,408
Scholarship cap 60,000 statewide No statewide cap
Official Link Apply Here Apply Here

Frequently Asked Questions About the EdChoice Scholarship

Is the EdChoice Scholarship only available in Ohio?

Yes. The EdChoice Scholarship Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and is available only to Ohio residents attending Ohio chartered nonpublic schools. (Note: “EdChoice” is also the name of a national school-choice nonprofit organization, but the scholarship program itself is an Ohio state program.)

Can I use the EdChoice Scholarship for homeschooling?

No. The scholarship can only be used for tuition at participating chartered nonpublic schools. Ohio families seeking homeschool funding may want to explore the separate Ohio ACE (Afterschool Child Enrichment) Educational Savings Account program.

What is the difference between EdChoice and a voucher?

“School voucher” is a generic term for publicly funded scholarships used at private schools. EdChoice is Ohio’s specific voucher program. The two terms are often used interchangeably.

How long does it take to receive the EdChoice Scholarship?

The state reviews applications within 14 days, but full processing and payment can take several weeks. Funds are paid in installments directly to the private school throughout the school year.

Can I apply if I’m currently in a public school?

Yes. Both Traditional and Expansion EdChoice are open to students currently enrolled in public, private, charter, or homeschool settings, as long as eligibility criteria are met.

Does EdChoice cover special needs services?

EdChoice itself only covers tuition. Students with disabilities may want to explore Ohio’s separate Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship or Autism Scholarship Program for therapy and special education services.

Where can I find advocacy and additional help?

The nonprofit School Choice Ohio offers free family support, answers eligibility questions, and helps parents navigate the application process.

Official EdChoice Scholarship Resources & Links

Bookmark these authoritative government and partner resources for the most accurate, up-to-date information:

State of Ohio Official Pages

Official Forms & Fact Sheets (PDFs)

Application & Login Portals

Related Ohio Scholarship Programs

Nonprofit & Federal Resources

Final Thoughts: Is the EdChoice Scholarship Right for Your Family?

The Ohio EdChoice Scholarship has transformed access to private K-12 education across the state. With universal eligibility under the Expansion program and meaningful award amounts even at higher income levels, families who once assumed private school was out of reach are discovering it’s surprisingly affordable.

If you’re considering a participating Catholic school, Christian school, Montessori school, or other chartered nonpublic school in Ohio, the EdChoice Scholarship should be your first stop. Start by contacting the admissions office of your preferred school — they will walk you through the application and submit it on your behalf.

Ready to apply? Visit the official Ohio Department of Education and Workforce EdChoice page or reach out to a participating private school in your county to begin the 2026-2027 enrollment and scholarship process today.

Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts, eligibility rules, and deadlines are set by the State of Ohio and may change. Always verify current details with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce or your participating private school before making financial decisions.