Last verified: October 2026
What comes first when paying for private school in Cleveland?
The state voucher: the Cleveland Scholarship inside the city district, EdChoice or EdChoice Expansion outside it. Whichever applies, the 2026-27 ceiling is $6,166 in grades K-8 and $8,408 in high school, sent straight to a chartered school.
What fills the gap after the voucher?
The school's own aid and any parish or congregation rate, then an SGO award such as an Angel Scholarship at a Catholic school or a high school's own tax-credit fund, then Diocesan Tuition Assistance or a named special scholarship. Starting in 2027, the federal tax-credit program may add one more layer for families below three times the area median income.
What if our child has an IEP or autism?
Look at the Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship before anything else. Either can be worth up to $34,000 in 2026-27, several times a regular voucher.
How do we cover the preschool years?
The vouchers start at kindergarten. In Cuyahoga County, Universal Pre-K offers 50% tuition scholarships up to 400% of poverty; the Ohio Preschool Program and child care subsidies cover lower-income families in all five counties.
| Layer | Source | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland Scholarship or EdChoice | Most or all of tuition at many parish and church schools |
| 2 | School aid, sibling or parish rate | Part of the remaining balance |
| 3 | SGO, DTA or special scholarship | The last few hundred to few thousand dollars |
What should we do next?
Take the two-minute funding check. A tuition counselor will confirm which voucher your address unlocks, what else your child qualifies for and which dates apply.