Parents can apply for tuition scholarships through the State of Ohio's EdChoice program. Some families qualify for Traditional EdChoice, based on district of residence or other criteria outlined here.

All families can apply for EdChoice Expansion scholarships to cover all or part of tuition based on income level. A fact sheet for EdChoice Expansion can be found here.

If a family's household income is at or below 450% of the federal poverty level (FPL), they will be awarded the maximum scholarship amount. For families whose FPL is 451% or above, the student's scholarship award will be prorated based on this spreadsheet developed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

To estimate your EdChoice Expansion award based on the size of your household and adjusted gross income, click here.

How Do I Apply?

Applications can now be submitted for the 2025-2026 academic year to St. Michael School. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce is accepting new and renewal applications for EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion beginning February 1, 2025.
25-26 Renewal Application
25-26 New Request Application
New Applicants
  1. Once your child has been accepted to St. Michael School, complete the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's Scholarship Request Form.
  2. Gather proof of current address and your child's birth certificate. (Click here to see acceptable forms of address proof.)
  3. Submit these documents to St. Michael School.
  4. St. Michael School will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
  5. For EdChoice Expansion applications, after receiving notification from St. Michael School that your scholarship request has been uploaded, complete the income verification form. For students with siblings already receiving an EdChoice scholarship, families are not required to resubmit income verification. If you would like to keep your current Federal Poverty Level, no action needs to be taken. Income can be reverified once per year. Income verification can not be reversed once submitted and will apply to all students in that household.
    1. For income verification, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will review the first page of the Federal Tax Income Form 1040; Adjusted Gross Income line 11. If unavailable, paystubs and W-2 are acceptable.
    2. If income verification is submitted, make sure to select the 2025-2026 academic year in the income verification system.
  6. Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine your household income status.  [Note: Families applying for an expansion scholarship MUST have their income verified OR fill out the affidavit to receive only the minimum scholarship; it is NOT optional.] A household—and by extension, its income—almost always includes spouses/parents and their dependents. ​​
Applicant Renewal
  1. Once your child has completed the current academic year's registration to St. Michael School, complete the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's Scholarship Renewal Form.
  2. Gather proof of current address. (Click here to see acceptable forms of address proof.)
  3. Submit these documents to St. Michael School.
  4. St. Michael School will submit an EdChoice renewal application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
  5. For EdChoice Expansion applications, after receiving notification from St. Michael School that your scholarship renewal request has been uploaded, if you choose, you can have your income verification resubmitted. If you would like to keep your current Federal Poverty Level, no action needs to be taken. Income can be reverified once per year. Income verification can not be reversed once submitted.​ 
    1. ​For income verification, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will review the first page of the Federal Tax Income Form 1040; Adjusted Gross Income line 11. If unavailable, paystubs and W-2 are acceptable.
    2. ​If income verification is resubmitted, make sure to select the 2025-2026 academic year in the income verification system.
  6. ​​Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine your household income status. A household—and by extension, its income—almost always includes spouses/parents and their dependents. The specific estimated award amounts can be found in spreadsheet form on the Department’s website, and differ year-to-year.

Questions Asked by Parents

Who will qualify for EdChoice Expansion?
The EdChoice Expansion program eligibility has been expanded. If a family's household income is at or below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level, they will be awarded the maximum scholarship amount. If a family's household income is at or above 451% of the Federal Poverty Level, the student's scholarship award will be prorated to reflect the totals outlined in the State of Ohio's Federal Poverty Guidelines.
What income is used to determine eligibility? What if parents are divorced?
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) calculation is relatively straightforward. It is equal to the total income you report that's subject to income tax minus specific deductions that you're eligible to take. For income verification, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will review the first page of the Federal Tax Income Form 1040; Adjusted Gross Income line 11. If unavailable, paystubs and W-2 are acceptable. Parents who are divorced, separated, never married or live apart in the State of Ohio, custody defaults to the birth mother. If the father chooses to apply, they must provide custody documentation. 
How is income verified? Understanding the States income verification portal.
Income is verified through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. St. Michael School cannot assist with income verification. You must verify income through an OH ID Account or paper form. 
Will the tuition payments I make before I am awarded a scholarship be reimbursed?
Yes, St. Michael Parish will reimburse any payments made in excess of tuition value/scholarship based on your unique award. Reimbursement will be provided upon confirmation from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce of your scholarship award. Families will still be responsible for any tuition balance outside of the EdChoice scholarship awarded. Award has no cash value.
Who receives payments?
The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce will provide funds directly to St. Michael School. No money will transfer to the parent from The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Award has no cash value and can only be used on billable school tuition.
What do we do if we have multiple students across multiple institutions?
EdChoice scholarship applications need to be completed for each student and provided to the institution where the student will attend school in the fall. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Income Verification processes is completed once per household.
What if my child receives a Jon Peterson scholarship?
Students are not eligible to receive both the Jon Peterson and EdChoice scholarship. Please contact the School Office to discuss your unique situation. Jon Peterson scholarships provide increased funding to the school for the needs of your child over EdChoice.
What if my child receives another scholarship?
Unless there are regulations stating you cannot receive EdChoice to accept your scholarship, you will be able to use this scholarship should EdChoice not completely cover tuition. Scholarships such as those provided by the Catholic Education Foundation and Knights of Columbus can be applied to any remaining tuition balance after EdChoice is applied.​
Where do I turn in my paperwork?
The required documents for application processing by St. Michael School can be delivered to the School Office in the following ways: 

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