TL;DR: For 2026-27, Ohio's Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship pays from $10,045 to $34,000 depending on a child's disability category, and the Autism Scholarship pays up to $34,000. Both can start at age 3, and since September 30, 2025 the Peterson program has been open to 3- and 4-year-olds with a compliant evaluation and IEP. For many Central Ohio families these are worth several times more than EdChoice.
How much does the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship pay in 2026-27?
The amount depends on the primary disability on the child's Evaluation Team Report (ETR), not on family income. The fiscal year 2027 maximums, for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, are below. A child must be enrolled for the full year to receive the full amount, and families pay anything above the maximum.
| Category | FY2027 maximum |
|---|---|
| 1. Speech or language impairment (related services only) | $10,045 |
| 2. Specific learning disability, intellectual disability, other health impairment (minor) | $13,069 |
| 3. Hearing impairment or emotional disturbance | $20,069 |
| 4. Vision impairment or other health impairment (major) | $24,080 |
| 5. Orthopedic impairment or multiple disabilities | $29,750 |
| 6. Autism, traumatic brain injury, or hearing and vision impairment | $34,000 |
Category 1 has an important limit: speech and language students can use the scholarship only for the related services in the IEP, not for private school tuition.
Jon Peterson vs the Autism Scholarship: how do they differ?
The Autism Scholarship is a separate Ohio program for children identified with autism, with a 2026-27 maximum of $34,000, the same as Peterson's top category. It pays for special education services through a private or alternative provider, guided by the child's IEP or an Autism Education Plan. Peterson covers every IEP category and runs from age 3 through 21. In both programs the family starts by enrolling with a participating provider, which keeps the forms and files the application.
Can a Columbus preschooler use these scholarships?
Yes, and this is the change many families have not heard about. Beginning September 30, 2025, children ages 3 and 4 became eligible for the Jon Peterson Scholarship if they have a compliant ETR and IEP in one of the 13 IDEA categories. Developmental delay can be identified through age 9, and each area of delay maps onto one of the six funding categories. The Autism Scholarship has long been available from age 3. That matters because EdChoice does not fund pre-K at all; for most preschool families the options are the Ohio Preschool Program and Franklin County's child care subsidy.
Which kinds of providers can a Central Ohio family choose?
DEW recognizes three private provider types. A chartered nonpublic school delivers the general curriculum plus the IEP services and issues report cards, transcripts and diplomas. A non-chartered nonpublic school provides the curriculum it has chosen and may or may not issue those records. An approved business provider delivers only intervention, aide and related services, while the parent home-educates the child or enrolls the child in a chartered school for the general curriculum.
In our Central Ohio directory, 11 schools are classified by the federal survey as special education schools or belong to the same organizations, among them Marburn Academy, Bridgeway Academy, Highland Community Learning Center, The Learning Spectrum's three campuses and New Story Schools. Each special education school listing shows the school's state charter status; ask each one whether it is a registered Peterson or Autism provider.
How do these scholarships compare with EdChoice for a Columbus student?
For most children with an IEP, the special-needs scholarships are far larger. A student whose primary category is a specific learning disability qualifies for up to $13,069 through Peterson, more than double the $6,166 K-8 EdChoice maximum, and a student with autism can receive up to $34,000. Peterson and Autism also pay for services in the IEP, while EdChoice pays tuition only. The programs are linked in one useful way: a student who leaves the Autism or Jon Peterson scholarship because they no longer need special education services becomes eligible for traditional EdChoice under DEW's 2026-27 rules, with no income test. Families of children who make strong progress therefore do not lose state support when their IEP ends.
What does a Columbus family need before applying?
For Peterson, a current ETR and IEP from the public district where the child lives, even if the child already attends a private school. Request the evaluation from the district in writing. Then visit providers; DEW publishes a parent checklist for those visits. The renewal period for the following year begins February 1, and families can track application status, progress reports and monthly invoices in the department's parent portal. See our Jon Peterson guide for the details.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship pay in 2026-27?
From $10,045 for speech or language impairment to $34,000 for autism, traumatic brain injury or combined hearing and vision impairment, set by the ETR category.
How does Jon Peterson differ from the Autism Scholarship?
Autism is a separate program for children identified with autism, up to $34,000; Peterson covers every IEP category from age 3 through 21.
Can a Columbus preschooler use these scholarships?
Yes. Peterson opened to 3- and 4-year-olds with a compliant ETR and IEP on September 30, 2025, and the Autism Scholarship starts at age 3.
How do these scholarships compare with EdChoice for a Columbus student?
They are usually larger, up to $13,069 for a learning disability and $34,000 for autism versus $6,166 for K-8 EdChoice, and they pay for IEP services, not only tuition.
What does a Columbus family need before applying?
A current ETR and IEP from the district of residence, then enrollment with a participating provider, which files the application.
Related questions
- Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship guide
- Autism Scholarship guide
- Special education schools in Central Ohio
- Preschool funding in Columbus