Last verified: October 2026
How much is the Ohio Autism Scholarship for 2026-27?
The maximum for fiscal year 2027, which runs July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, is $34,000. A child must be in the program for the full year to receive the full amount, and parents pay anything above the maximum plus any services not written into the IEP or Autism Education Plan.
When can a Columbus child start the Autism Scholarship?
A child becomes eligible to apply at age 3. As with the Peterson scholarship, the family first enrolls with a participating Autism Scholarship provider, and the provider helps file the application.
Should a family choose the Autism Scholarship or Jon Peterson?
For a child whose primary category is autism, both programs top out at $34,000 in 2026-27, so the choice usually comes down to which providers the family wants and whether the services are written into an IEP or an Autism Education Plan. The programs have separate applications, so ask each provider which one it bills.
| It is | It is not |
|---|---|
| A payment to a participating provider for planned services | Cash to the family |
| Available from age 3 | Limited to school-age children |
| Capped at $34,000 for 2026-27 | Open-ended coverage of every therapy |