Paying for private school in Greater Cleveland: every source
13 programs and sources for families in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga and Medina counties, with who qualifies, what each pays and the dates that matter.
Last verified: October 2026
What private school funding can a Greater Cleveland family use in 2026-27?
A voucher first: the Cleveland Scholarship inside the city district or EdChoice outside it, each up to $6,166 for K-8 and $8,408 for 9-12. Then the Jon Peterson and Autism scholarships for students with disabilities, Diocese of Cleveland aid at Catholic schools, 18 local SGOs, College Credit Plus for grades 7-12, and Universal Pre-K and child care help for younger children.
Cleveland Scholarship Program (CSP)
Ohio's original private school voucher, open only to K-12 students who live inside the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. It pays up to $6,166 (K-8) or $8,408 (9-12) for 2026-27 with no income test.
Who qualifies →Suburbs & exurbs · income-basedEdChoice Expansion Scholarship
The income-based voucher for every Ohio K-12 student who does not qualify for the Cleveland Scholarship. Households at or below 450% of poverty receive the full $6,166 (K-8) or $8,408 (9-12); above that the award tapers to a floor of 10%.
Who qualifies →Designated buildings · full awardTraditional EdChoice Scholarship
The performance-based voucher for students who would be assigned to an EdChoice-designated public building. 67 buildings in 13 suburban and Lorain County districts are designated for 2026-27, and the award is not reduced by income.
Who qualifies →IEP · $10,045 to $34,000Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSN)
Ohio's disability scholarship for children ages 3 to 21 with an IEP from their home district. For 2026-27 it pays between $10,045 and $34,000 depending on the primary disability category, and city and suburban families qualify alike.
Who qualifies →Autism · up to $34,000Autism Scholarship Program
A separate Ohio scholarship of up to $34,000 for 2026-27 for children identified with autism, paid to a participating private or alternative provider for the services in the child's IEP or Autism Education Plan.
Who qualifies →18 local SGOs · state creditOhio SGO Tax-Credit Scholarships
Scholarship granting organizations certified by the Ohio Attorney General collect gifts that earn donors a state tax credit of up to $750 ($1,500 for couples) and turn them into K-12 scholarships. 18 certified SGOs list an address in the five counties.
Who qualifies →New for 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Starting with gifts made on January 1, 2027, a donor anywhere in the country can take up to $1,700 off federal taxes by funding scholarships in states that signed up. Ohio signed up.
Who qualifies →Grades 7-12 · free tuition when fundedCollege Credit Plus for Private School Students
Ohio's dual-enrollment program is open to private school students in grades 7-12. When the parent's funding request is approved, tuition at a public college such as Tri-C or Lorain County Community College costs the family nothing.
Who qualifies →Ages 3-5 · income-basedCuyahoga Universal Pre-K & the Ohio Preschool Program
Cuyahoga County's Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) offers 50% tuition scholarships at participating preschools for families up to 400% of poverty, and Ohio's Preschool Program funds preschool for families at or below 200%.
Who qualifies →Ages 0-12 · income-basedChild Care Subsidy (PFCC) & Choice Voucher
Ohio's child care subsidy and the newer Child Care Choice Voucher, applied for through Ohio Benefits and handled by your county Job and Family Services office in Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga or Medina.
Who qualifies →Catholic schools · need-basedDiocese of Cleveland Tuition Assistance & Angel Scholarships
Need-based Diocesan Tuition Assistance (nearly $3 million in 2025-26), school-by-school Angel Scholarships (nearly $8.1 million in 2025-26) and a set of named special scholarships for families at Diocese of Cleveland schools.
Who qualifies →Set by each schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
The aid a school offers itself: need-based grants, sibling discounts, congregation or parish rates and payment plans. It usually closes the gap a voucher leaves at higher-tuition schools.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
Privately raised money that some partner church and community schools can offer toward the balance after vouchers and school aid. Each school's terms are confirmed during the funding check.
Who qualifies →Tools and explainers
City or suburb: which voucher?
The address test that decides between the Cleveland Scholarship and EdChoice, and what changes when you move.
Open →ToolEdChoice Expansion calculator
Household size and income through DEW's 2026-27 formula, for suburban families.
Open →ToolExpansion amounts by income
Ten income steps past 450% of poverty, turned into dollar figures for different household sizes.
Open →ToolDesignated buildings around Cleveland
All 67 designated public buildings in the five counties, district by district.
Open →ToolWhat a voucher covers
Tuition, fees, busing, aftercare, preschool and the high school balance rule.
Open →ToolState vs federal tax-credit timing
When Ohio's SGO credit and the 2027 federal credit apply.
Open →2026-27 dates
- Oct 14, 2026Passed: EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion requests filed after this date are paid at a prorated amount for the rest of 2026-27
- Nov 1, 20265 p.m.: last call for a parent's College Credit Plus funding request covering spring 2027 courses only
- Nov 1, 2026Diocese of Cleveland emergency tuition assistance opens (through May 1); ask the pastor, principal or business manager
- Jan 1, 2027Federal scholarship tax credit begins for gifts made from this date; Ohio is a participating state
- Mar 15, 2027Expected Diocese of Cleveland deadline for DTA and the special scholarships (posted as March 15 last cycle; confirm with the school)
- Apr 1, 20275 p.m.: College Credit Plus funding requests for the full 2027-28 year close for private school families
- Apr 15, 2027Last day to give to an Ohio SGO, such as the Angel Scholarship Fund, and claim the credit on your 2026 Ohio return
- Jun 30, 2027The 2026-27 application windows for the Cleveland Scholarship, EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion all close
Find out which programs your child can use
Five questions, about two minutes. A tuition counselor calls back with the voucher, aid and deadlines that match your address and your child.