Ohio Homeschool Funding & Scholarship Guide (2026)

Ohio has one of the largest school choice programs in the country, but there's a frustrating catch for homeschool families: the big-ticket EdChoice voucher program only covers private school tuition. If you're homeschooling, you can't access those funds—with one important exception.

The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship does serve homeschool families, providing up to $27,000 annually for students with disabilities. For everyone else, the funding picture is more limited. Let's break down what's actually available and what's coming down the pike.

What Funding Is Available for Ohio Homeschoolers?

Ohio's school choice landscape includes several programs, but homeschool eligibility varies dramatically:

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship: This is the only state program available to Ohio homeschoolers—and only for students with documented disabilities. It provides substantial funding (up to $27,000) but requires an IEP.

EdChoice Scholarship: Despite being Ohio's flagship school choice program, EdChoice is strictly for private school tuition. Homeschool families cannot participate, regardless of income level or previous public school enrollment.

For the typical Ohio homeschool family without a child with special needs, no state funding currently exists.

Ohio Education Funding Programs Compared

Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship: The Homeschool Option

If your child has a documented disability with an active IEP, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship offers substantial support for homeschooling. Named after the late state senator who championed special education reform, this program recognizes that children with disabilities often need customized educational approaches—exactly what homeschooling can provide.

Funding amounts vary based on your child's specific needs and the services outlined in their IEP. The maximum award reaches approximately $27,000 annually, though most families receive less depending on their documented service requirements^[2].

Jon Peterson Eligibility Requirements

What Jon Peterson Funds Can Cover

• Educational therapy — Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, ABA therapy
• Specialized tutoring — One-on-one instruction from certified providers
• Assistive technology — Devices and software supporting your child's learning
• Curriculum materials — Specialized learning resources appropriate for your child's needs
• Testing and assessments — Evaluations and progress monitoring

How to Apply for Jon Peterson

The application process involves coordination between your family, your child's public school district, and the Ohio Department of Education:

1. Maintain or obtain an IEP — Your child needs a current IEP through their resident school district 2. Register your homeschool — File a notice of intent with your local superintendent 3. Apply through the district — Work with your school district's special education office to apply 4. Select providers — Choose from approved service providers for therapy, tutoring, etc. 5. Document services — Keep records of all services received for reporting purposes

The scholarship operates on the school year calendar, with applications typically due in spring for the following year.

The EdChoice Situation: Why Homeschoolers Are Left Out

EdChoice is Ohio's largest school choice program, providing $5,500-$8,400 annually to families. The program expanded significantly in recent years, removing income caps and opening eligibility to more families. Yet homeschoolers remain excluded.

Why? EdChoice was designed as a private school voucher program, with funding following students to accredited private schools. The program's structure requires institutional enrollment—there's no mechanism for families directing their own education to access these funds.

The Legal Challenge: In June 2025, an Ohio court ruled EdChoice unconstitutional under the state's education funding provisions^[1]. The program continues operating during the appeal, but the ruling's outcome could reshape Ohio's entire school choice landscape. Some advocates hope a restructured program might include homeschool eligibility, though that's speculative.

Federal Alternatives for Ohio Homeschoolers

Without access to EdChoice, most Ohio homeschool families turn to federal options:

• Coverdell ESA — Save up to $2,000 per year per child in a tax-advantaged account. Qualified withdrawals for curriculum, tutoring, computers, and educational supplies are tax-free.^[3]
• 529 Plan — Ohio's CollegeAdvantage 529 offers state tax deductions for contributions. Federal law allows up to $10,000 annually for K-12 private school tuition, though homeschool eligibility varies by plan interpretation.
• Ohio 529 Tax Deduction — Ohio residents can deduct up to $4,000 per beneficiary from state taxable income for 529 contributions.

Pending Legislation: Could ESA Come to Ohio?

Ohio legislators have introduced various school choice expansion bills over the years. SB 68, introduced in recent sessions, would create an ESA available to nonchartered private school students with income-tiered funding up to 100% of per-pupil state aid.

Whether such legislation would include homeschool eligibility depends on how bills are drafted and amended. The EdChoice legal challenge may also prompt legislators to rethink Ohio's entire approach to school choice funding.

For now, homeschool families should plan around existing options while staying informed about legislative developments through organizations like HSLDA and Christian Home Educators of Ohio.

Ohio Homeschool Funding at a Glance

The Bottom Line

Ohio's school choice picture is complicated for homeschoolers. The state's flagship EdChoice program excludes home education, leaving the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship as the only state-funded option—and only for families with children with documented disabilities.

If your child has an IEP, Jon Peterson can provide substantial support (up to $27,000) for therapy, specialized instruction, and educational materials. For everyone else, federal options like Coverdell ESAs and Ohio's 529 plan tax benefits offer more modest but meaningful assistance.

The EdChoice legal challenge could reshape Ohio's school choice landscape, potentially opening doors for homeschool inclusion in future programs. Stay connected with advocacy organizations and watch for legislative developments—the situation is fluid.