Last verified: October 2026
How does the 2026-27 EdChoice Expansion award change as income rises?
It stays at the maximum through 450% of poverty, then halves with each additional 100 percentage points, never dropping below 10%. For a household of six, the full $6,166 K-8 award holds to $199,620, falls to $3,083.00 at 550% ($243,980) and to $1,541.50 at 650% ($288,340).
Where does the EdChoice Expansion floor kick in for a Cleveland-area family?
At roughly 782% of poverty the award reaches its floor of $616.60 for K-8 and $840.80 for 9-12. For a family of four that is about $258,000.0 of income; any family outside the Cleveland district that applies with verified income gets at least the floor.
| Income vs poverty | Household of 3 | Household of 4 | Household of 6 | K-8 award | 9-12 award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 450% | $122,940 | $148,500 | $199,620 | $6,166.00 | $8,408.00 |
| 475% | $129,770 | $156,750 | $210,710 | $5,184.97 | $7,070.26 |
| 500% | $136,600 | $165,000 | $221,800 | $4,360.02 | $5,945.35 |
| 525% | $143,430 | $173,250 | $232,890 | $3,666.33 | $4,999.43 |
| 550% | $150,260 | $181,500 | $243,980 | $3,083.00 | $4,204.00 |
| 600% | $163,920 | $198,000 | $266,160 | $2,180.01 | $2,972.68 |
| 650% | $177,580 | $214,500 | $288,340 | $1,541.50 | $2,102.00 |
| 700% | $191,240 | $231,000 | $310,520 | $1,090.01 | $1,486.34 |
| 750% | $204,900 | $247,500 | $332,700 | $770.75 | $1,051.00 |
| 800% | $218,560 | $264,000 | $354,880 | $616.60 | $840.80 |
Our arithmetic, using DEW's FY27 Expansion workbook settings (bases $6,166 and $8,408, halving factor 0.5, 10% minimum) and the 2026 poverty guideline. Dollar columns are adjusted gross income at that percentage.
| It is | It is not |
|---|---|
| Adjusted gross income, Form 1040 line 11 | Take-home pay or gross salary |
| Measured against the guideline for your household size | One dollar cutoff for everyone |
| Optional to resubmit when renewing Expansion | Required again every year (it is, for low-income status) |