JON PETERSON SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP

The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students who are eligible to attend kindergarten through 12th grade and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their district of residence. The amount of each scholarship will be based on the disability identified on the student’s IEP and will not exceed $27,000.

There are two application periods annually. The first application period begins in February and ends on April 15th. Scholarships awarded to this group of applicants will be for the full school year. The second application period begins in October and ends on November 15th. Scholarships awarded during this second application period will be awarded for half of the school year (January 1 through June 30). To apply for a Peterson Scholarship, parents of eligible students must first register with a participating Peterson Scholarship Provider.

The scholarship is an educational choice program. If a student accepts the scholarship, the public district is no longer responsible for providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The student must use the scholarship to obtain their education AND supportive services.

CAN A CHILD ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL AND USE THE SCHOLARSHIP? No. The scholarship is an educational choice program. If a student is approved for the scholarship, the public district is no longer responsible for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The student must use the scholarship to obtain their education AND the supportive services indicated on their IEP at an approved provider.

The district of residence will conduct an initial evaluation. If the student is determined to be a child with a disability, the district of residence will also conduct reevaluations.

If the child is enrolled in a nonpublic school, then the district where the nonpublic school is located is responsible for conducting the initial evaluation and reevaluations.

The district of residence develops an initial IEP that offers a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and annually updates the IEP.

If the child has been identified as having a disability, but does not have an IEP because he/she is not currently enrolled in a public school, the district shall prepare an initial IEP within thirty calendar days of receiving a request for an IEP from an applicant. That request can be made directly to the district by the parent or by the submission of an application for the JPSN scholarship through the online application system.

There are two application periods annually. The first application period begins in February and ends on April 15th. Scholarships awarded to this group of applicants will be for the full school year. The second application period begins in October and ends on November 15th. Scholarships awarded during this second application period will be awarded for half of the school year (January 1 through June 30). To apply for a Peterson Scholarship, parents of eligible students must first register with a participating Peterson Scholarship Provider. The provider will have the required application forms and will assist the parent in the scholarship application process.

FORMS

ODE application for the scholarship

Approved provider

Active ETR/IEP

RESOURCES