Educational Choice Expansion Scholarship (EdChoice) Program

Any student who is entering kindergarten through 12th grade is eligible. Students who receive a scholarship under this program remain eligible and may continue to receive this scholarship so long as the student: (1) takes each standardized assessment assigned for the student’s grade level, unless the student is excused, takes an alternative standardized assessment, or the nonpublic charter has an approved waiver or meets other specified conditions, and (2) is not absent more than 20 days, excluding excused absences. _(Last updated July 30, 2024)_

Scholarships awarded under this program may be used to pay tuition to any chartered nonpublic school. _(Last updated July 19, 2024)_

Each year the state legislature appropriates funds for this program. The state calculates funding using a unique, program-specific formula set out in statute. For students from households with family income at or below 450% Federal Poverty Level ($140,400 for a family of four), scholarships are worth up to $6,166 for students in K–8 and $8,408 for high school students, not to exceed the private school’s actual tuition and fees. For students in higher income brackets, scholarship funding amounts gradually decrease as the family’s income level increases. Any qualifying Ohio K–12 student that wishes to participate may receive funding. Participating schools may charge remaining tuition or require in-kind services for the portion of tuition not covered by the scholarship for students whose household incomes exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level but must accept the scholarship as payment in full for students at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level ($62,400 for a family of four in 2024–2025). _(Last updated July 19, 2024)_

On January 5, 2022, the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding plus 74 public school districts filed litigation against Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program, calling the program an “existential threat” and alleging it depletes Ohio foundation funding that supports public schools and uses that money to subsidize private school tuitions at higher per-pupil rate than public schools. The complaint also alleges the program leads to more segregated schools, fails to support a uniform system of common schools, and gives sectarian institutions control over public funds. Defendants say the state’s 2023 appropriations bill cured any statutory defects and filed a motion to dismiss. The case was not dismissed and proceeded to discovery. Plaintiffs and Defendants filed cross-motions for summary judgment. If the case is not decided on summary judgement, the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas plans to begin trial on November 4, 2024. _Columbus City School District v. State of Ohio_ , Case Number: 22CV000067. Pending. _(Last updated July 19, 2024)_