Paying for private school in Central Ohio: every source
12 programs and sources for families in Franklin, Delaware, Licking and Fairfield counties: who qualifies, what each pays, and the dates that matter.
Last verified: October 2026
What private school funding can a Columbus family use in 2026-27?
EdChoice Expansion or traditional EdChoice for K-12 tuition (up to $6,166 K-8 and $8,408 9-12), the Jon Peterson and Autism scholarships for students with disabilities, SGO tax-credit scholarships, College Credit Plus for grades 7-12, and early-years programs for preschoolers.
EdChoice Expansion Scholarship
Ohio's income-based private school voucher. Every K-12 student outside the Cleveland district can apply; households at or below 450% of poverty get the full $6,166 (K-8) or $8,408 (9-12), and higher incomes get a smaller amount.
Who qualifies →Designated buildings · no income testTraditional EdChoice Scholarship
The original performance-based EdChoice voucher. A student assigned to an EdChoice-designated public school building qualifies with no income test, and 95 of 112 Columbus City Schools buildings are designated for 2026-27.
Who qualifies →IEP required · up to $34,000Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSN)
Ohio's scholarship for students ages 3 through 21 who have an IEP from their public district. The 2026-27 amount depends on the primary disability category and ranges from $10,045 to $34,000.
Who qualifies →Autism · $34,000Autism Scholarship Program
A separate Ohio scholarship for children identified with autism, worth up to $34,000 for 2026-27, that pays a private or alternative provider for the special education services in the child's plan.
Who qualifies →Privately funded · state creditOhio SGO Tax-Credit Scholarships
Scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) certified by the Ohio Attorney General raise donations that earn donors a state income tax credit of up to $750 ($1,500 for joint filers), then award K-12 scholarships with priority for lower-income students.
Who qualifies →New · January 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
A new federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer for gifts to scholarship granting organizations in participating states. Ohio is on the IRS list of participating states, and gifts count starting January 1, 2027.
Who qualifies →Grades 7-12 · free tuition when fundedCollege Credit Plus for Private School Students
Ohio's dual-enrollment program is open to students at chartered and non-chartered private schools. When the state funds the request, tuition at a public college is free.
Who qualifies →Pre-K · income-basedOhio Preschool Program & Early Start Columbus
Ohio's early childhood education grant, now called the Ohio Preschool Program, funds preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds from families at or below 200% of poverty. The City of Columbus adds Early Start Columbus, aimed at four-year-olds.
Who qualifies →Income-based · ages 0-12Publicly Funded Child Care & the Child Care Choice Voucher
Ohio's child care subsidy, handled for Columbus families by Franklin County Job and Family Services, plus the newer Child Care Choice Voucher for families just above the subsidy line.
Who qualifies →Catholic schools · need-basedDiocese of Columbus Tuition Assistance
The Diocese of Columbus distributes donor-funded, need-based tuition assistance to families at its Catholic elementary and high schools, through a FACTS application due March 15.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based aid, sibling discounts, congregation-member rates and payment plans offered by the school itself, usually the layer that closes what EdChoice leaves.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A private fund for families at participating partner church and community schools, meant to help with what remains after EdChoice and school aid. Terms are confirmed during the funding check.
Who qualifies →Calculators and explainers
EdChoice Expansion calculator
Your household size and income, run through DEW's 2026-27 formula.
Open →ToolEdChoice amounts by income
The award at each poverty-level step, with dollar lines for households of two to eight.
Open →ToolDesignated buildings in Central Ohio
All 120 public buildings in the four counties that qualify students for traditional EdChoice.
Open →ToolWhat EdChoice covers
Tuition, fees, aftercare, preschool, homeschool: the line for each.
Open →ToolState vs federal tax-credit timing
When the Ohio SGO credit and the 2027 federal credit apply.
Open →2026-27 deadlines
- Oct 14, 2026Passed: EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion applications submitted after this date are prorated for the part of 2026-27 that remains
- Nov 1, 20265 p.m.: College Credit Plus funding requests close for private school students who want spring 2027 courses only
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit takes effect; Ohio is on the IRS list of participating states
- Feb 1, 2027Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship renewal period begins for 2027-28
- Mar 15, 2027Diocese of Columbus tuition assistance applications (filed through FACTS) are due, with the student registered at a diocesan school
- Apr 1, 20275 p.m.: full-year College Credit Plus funding requests close for private school students (2027-28 courses)
- Apr 15, 2027Last day to give to a certified Ohio SGO and still claim the state credit on your 2026 return
- Jun 30, 2027The 2026-27 EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion application window closes
See what your family qualifies for
Two minutes, five questions. A tuition counselor calls you back with the programs and deadlines that fit your child.