Last verified: October 2026
What does a Cleveland Scholarship or EdChoice voucher pay for?
Tuition, and only tuition, at a participating chartered school: up to $6,166 for K-8 or $8,408 for 9-12 in 2026-27, or the school's tuition if lower. Registration, materials and similar fees stay with the family under all three programs.
Does the voucher cap what a school can charge?
Usually not, with one exception. Families DEW has verified at 200% of poverty or less owe nothing beyond the award in K-8 under either program, and in high school under EdChoice too. Cleveland Scholarship families in grades 9-12 can be billed the difference.
Can Cleveland homeschool families get state money for curriculum or tutoring?
Generally no: Ohio runs no homeschool savings account today, and voucher dollars stop at the chartered school's door. The exception is a child with an IEP, whose Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship can pay an approved business provider for services while a parent handles the teaching.
| Cost | Voucher | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition at a participating chartered school | Covered | Up to $6,166 (K-8) or $8,408 (9-12) for 2026-27 under the Cleveland Scholarship, EdChoice or Expansion, or the school's tuition if that is less. |
| Tuition above the award, verified low income, grades K-8 | School cannot bill it | In K-8 both programs shield DEW-verified households at 200% of poverty or less. |
| Tuition above the award, verified low income, grades 9-12 | Depends on the program | EdChoice families are still protected; Cleveland Scholarship high school families are responsible for the balance. |
| Tuition above the award, income above 200% of poverty | Family may owe it | The school can bill the difference; its own aid, an SGO award or diocesan help is the usual answer. |
| Registration, book, technology and activity fees | Not covered | DEW's fact sheets for all three programs leave registration, material and similar fees with the family. |
| Uniforms, lunches and busing | Not covered | The vouchers pay tuition only. City families can ask CMSD about transportation to a private school; suburban districts handle their own. |
| Before- and after-school care | Not covered | Child care subsidy or the Choice Voucher can help if the school's program is a participating provider. |
| Preschool | Not covered | All three vouchers begin at kindergarten; Cuyahoga UPK, the Ohio Preschool Program or, with an IEP, the Jon Peterson Scholarship cover these years. |
| Homeschool curriculum, tutoring or enrichment | Not covered | Ohio has no active homeschool or enrichment account, and the vouchers cannot be used for home education. |
| A school on the non-chartered (NCNP) list | Not covered | Voucher students enroll only at chartered nonpublic schools. |
| College Credit Plus courses | Funded separately | The state pays public-college tuition when the parent's funding request is approved, without touching the voucher. |