This page was last updated 01.15.2025
All OIA students are now eligible for a state scholarship!
The State of Ohio provides students attending private schools the opportunity to apply for either the The Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) or the The Educational Choice Expansion Program.
The Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program:
Provides students from designated public schools the opportunity to attend participating private schools. The program also provides students who are entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Educational Choice Expansion Scholarship (EdChoice) Program:
Provides students the opportunity to attend participating private schools. The EdChoice Expansion Program is an income-based program. It provides scholarships to students in grades K–12 based on household income level.
How to Apply:
Please email a scanned copy of your form and the required documents to admin@oiacademy.org (PLEASE NOTE: The state will not accept photographs of the materials. All documents must be scanned).
To ensure tuition dues are adjusted, please submit your application by June 15, 2025.
Step 1:
New Students:
If this is your child's first time applying, please complete the EdChoice Scholarship Program Request Form 2025-2026 and email the completed form to: admin@oiacademy.org
EdChoice Returning Students:
If your child received a scholarship in a previous year, please complete the 2025-2026 EdChoice Scholarship Renewal Form and email the completed form to: admin@oiacademy.org
Students who applied for Ed Choice at another school:
If your child already applied for EdChoice at another school please complete this Transfer Form and email the completed form to: admin@oiacademy.org
Step 2:
Email an up to date utility bill (current from the last two months) and the completed application form to: admin@oiacademy.org
Step 3:
Setup an OH|ID Account:
Follow the steps listed on the Ohio Department of Education’s website under Parent Portal.
Step 4:
When you receive your Award Notice in the form of a letter via USPS or by email from the State of Ohio, please sign it and either email a scanned copy to admin@oiacademy.org, or bring it to the OIA Office between 9am - 3pm. This copy will be placed in your file.
IMPORTANT:
When filling out the form, make sure the information matches your child's birth certificate exactly.
More details and answers to FAQs can be found at the EdChoice website linked here -
How to Apply for an EdChoice Scholarship
NOTE: Any student enrolling after October 13th, 2025, will be awarded a prorated amount.
Renewal Form
Use this application if you HAVE received an EdChoice Scholarship in the past
Request Form
Use this application if you HAVE NEVER received an EdChoice Scholarship in the past
EdChoice Affidavit Minimum Award
Use this form if have reviewed the FPL guidelines and are confident your family will only be eligible for the minimum scholarship amount of, $616.60 because your annual gross income is 783% at or above the FLP. By doing this form you will not be required to complete the income verification portion of the EdChoice Application.
If parents are experiencing issues accessing the EdChoice Income Verification System in OH|ID, they may use this link access the application system. They will need to have an existing OH|ID account for the link to work.
If they do not have an existing OH|ID, they may create an account and login using the Open My Apps button on the Portal Help page. After they login, under Web Systems, click Application Request. Change the Application to Income Verification in the dropdown box. Click Submit. After a moment their screen should reload with access to the Income Verification tile.
You MUST fill out the 2024-2025 Income Verification via the OHID portal. Please review links above under Income Verification)
Fill out the 2024-2025 EdChoice Request Form (NOT the Renewal Form)
Submit Request Form, copy of student's birth certificate, and a recent utility bill or other proof of residency via email to admin@oiacademy.org
Fill out the 2025-2026 EdChoice Renewal Form (linked above)
Submit Renewal Form and a recent utility bill or other proof of residency via email to admin@oiacademy.org
The following students are eligible to apply for a Traditional EdChoice Scholarship:
Those enrolled in and attending EdChoice public school buildings in their districts of residence;
Students enrolled in and attending community schools who would otherwise be assigned to EdChoice public school buildings;
Students enrolled in and attending public schools in their districts of residence who would be assigned to EdChoice public school buildings for the upcoming year;
Students enrolling in Ohio schools for the first time who would be assigned to EdChoice public school buildings;
Students whose sibling received a traditional EdChoice Scholarship in the preceding year;
Students entering grades K-12 who would be assigned to EdChoice public school buildings regardless of where they attended school the previous year;
Students who previously received an Autism or Jon Peterson Scholarship but no longer qualify because they no longer need special education services;
Students who are foster children;
Students who reside in a certified foster home;
Students placed with a guardian, legal custodian or in kinship care;
Students who reside in the same household as a student who was placed with a guardian, legal custodian or in kinship care for at least 45 consecutive days;
Students who reside in the household of another for at least 45 days and but for not living there would have been homeless; or
Students who reside in a household with a student who would have been homeless (see previous criteria) for at least 45 consecutive days.
EdChoice Expansion Program
The EdChoice Expansion program is open to all students except those living in Cleveland and qualifying for the Cleveland Scholarship program.
Scholarships for EdChoice Expansion are awarded based on the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of a family’s household.
If a family’s household income is at or below 450 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, they will be awarded the maximum scholarship amount. If a family’s household income is at or above 451 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, the student’s scholarship award will be prorated based on the chart found under EdChoice Expansion Resources.
You MUST fill out the 2025-2026 Income Verification via the OHID portal. Please review links above under Income Verification for additional support.
Fill out the 2025-2026 EdChoice Request Form (NOT the Renewal Form)
Submit Request Form, copy of student's birth certificate, and a recent utility bill or other proof of residency via email to admin@oiacademy.org
From the first dropdown, select head of household (select one of the parents).
On the next dropdown "type of income" select “wages and salaries”.
On the “how often” drop down, select “annually” for AGI.
On the last line enter the amount that is listed on line 11 of your 1040 tax form.
Use page 1 of the tax return for income verification as your documentation (the dependent should be listed there). Under the household member (the head of household) leave a comment that says you have an additional member. Add that additional person’s name and birthdate (and the last 4 digits of SSN should be visible on the tax return.) Also, a reminder to black out the first 5 digits. The ODE will override the system to add this household member to the count.
The OIA Billing Team will make necessary adjustments to your tuition account once you are approved by the state for the EdChoice Scholarship or Edchocie Expansion Scholarship.
Any remaining balance will portioned out over the remaining payments for this school year.
Any fees - admission, registration, program fees , graduation, club field trip, etc. - can NOT be covered by the EdChoice Scholarship.
If you have already paid your tuition in full for the 2025-26 school year, AND you receive the EdChoice Scholarship after the full payment has been made:
You will be reimbursed for the amount you were awarded by the state.
IF you started making payments on your tuition for the 2025-26 school year, AND you receive the EdChoice Scholarship:
Your monthly payment amount will be adjusted based the balance of your tuition minus the amount you were awarded by the state.