How Do I Apply?
Universal School Choice is in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce is accepting new applications for Universal School Choice (also known as EdChoice Expansion). Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to receive maximum award.
- Once your child has been accepted to St. Michael School, complete the Ohio Department of Education's (1) Scholarship Request Form and (2) Income Verification.
- Gather (3) proof of current address and your (4) child's birth certificate.
- Submit these documents to St. Michael School.
- St. Michael School will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
- Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine your household income status. [Note: Families applying for an expansion scholarship MUST have their income verified; it is NOT optional.] A household—and by extension, its income—almost always includes spouses/parents and their dependents.
We anticipate our community having many questions about the Universal EdChoice Expansion Program. Please submit your questions using this online form. Questions will be answered below.
Troubleshooting OH | ID
The State of Ohio is aware of technical issues with the OH | ID site, especially for those who already have an OH ID account for a different reason. To troubleshoot your unique issue, please contact contact.center@education.oh.gov, cleveland,scholarship@education.oh.gov, edchoice@education.ohio.gov. While it is preferred that you use the online portal for income verification, there is a paper form you can complete and submit via email or USPS mail. As a last resort, it is recommended that you set up a second OH ID user name and account.
Income Verification Submittal YouTube Video Instructions
Income Verification Submittal Document Instructions
Income Verification Submittal YouTube Video Instructions
Income Verification Submittal Document Instructions
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 linked above.
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 linked above.
Would EdChoice change St. Michael School tuition rates?
EdChoice will only benefit you, and will not effect your out-of-pocket tuition cost in a negative way. While tuition rates are subject to increase, the availability of scholarships, such as Universal EdChoice and Catholic Education Foundation will greatly reduce tuition rates. We want to make sure our families feel the impact of the EdChoice program - it is your benefit!
EdChoice will only benefit you, and will not effect your out-of-pocket tuition cost in a negative way. While tuition rates are subject to increase, the availability of scholarships, such as Universal EdChoice and Catholic Education Foundation will greatly reduce tuition rates. We want to make sure our families feel the impact of the EdChoice program - it is your benefit!
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. Parents who are divorced, separated, never married or live apart and who share custody of a child need to understand who is claiming the child for tax purposes. Visit https://education.ohio.gov for more information.
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. Parents who are divorced, separated, never married or live apart and who share custody of a child need to understand who is claiming the child for tax purposes. Visit https://education.ohio.gov for more information.
How is income verified? Understanding the States income verification portal.
Income is verified through the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. St. Michael School cannot assist with income verification. You must verify income through an OH ID Account or paper form.
Income is verified through the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. St. Michael School cannot assist with income verification. You must verify income through an OH ID Account or paper form.
When do I need to complete my application?
Applications submitted on or before October 13, 2023 will be awarded the full amount of the scholarship. Applications submitted on or after October 16, 2023., will be awarded at a prorated rate. Tuition payments for the 2023-2024 academic year should still be made on time, as there will be a waiting period for appropriate paperwork to be submitted, and scholarships to be awarded.
Applications submitted on or before October 13, 2023 will be awarded the full amount of the scholarship. Applications submitted on or after October 16, 2023., will be awarded at a prorated rate. Tuition payments for the 2023-2024 academic year should still be made on time, as there will be a waiting period for appropriate paperwork to be submitted, and scholarships to be awarded.
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 & 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.
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 & 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 & Workforce. Award has no cash value and can only be used on billable school tuition.
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 & Workforce. Award has no cash value and can only be used on billable school tuition.
What paperwork needs to completed and when (by the Parents)?
An EdChoice Scholarship Request Form and an Income Verification need to be completed. Additionally, proof of residency and a copy of the student's birth certificate will be required. Request forms, birth certificates, and utility bills should be turned in to St. Michael School for application processing.
An EdChoice Scholarship Request Form and an Income Verification need to be completed. Additionally, proof of residency and a copy of the student's birth certificate will be required. Request forms, birth certificates, and utility bills should be turned in to St. Michael School for application processing.
What paperwork needs to completed and when (by the School)?
Once your completed paperwork is received, St. Michael School will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
Once your completed paperwork is received, St. Michael School will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
Will I receive communication from St. Michael School that you have received our documents? For example, if we emailed them over will you acknowledge and reply back they have been received?
If you drop-off documents to the St. Michael Parish or School office, the personal exchange between you and our staff is confirmation of receipt. All documents emailed to edchoice@stmichaelsharonville.org will receive a direct reply letting you know we received your paperwork. Please allow 48 hours for reply.
If you drop-off documents to the St. Michael Parish or School office, the personal exchange between you and our staff is confirmation of receipt. All documents emailed to edchoice@stmichaelsharonville.org will receive a direct reply letting you know we received your paperwork. Please allow 48 hours for reply.
When will I know what my EdChoice award is?
The St. Michael School Office is on reduced hours during the month of July. At this time administration is only collecting and organizing scholarship request documents. Scholarship requests will be submitted for application once our administrative team returns to full staff in August. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this process for St. Michael school's 380 students.
The St. Michael School Office is on reduced hours during the month of July. At this time administration is only collecting and organizing scholarship request documents. Scholarship requests will be submitted for application once our administrative team returns to full staff in August. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this process for St. Michael school's 380 students.
Will St. Michael accept traditional EdChoice scholarships in addition to expansion scholarships?
As an EdChoice designated school, we will accept any form of EdChoice scholarship made available to a student. Traditional EdChoice is no longer the default program if a family qualifies for both programs. A family can choose which program they want to participate in.
As an EdChoice designated school, we will accept any form of EdChoice scholarship made available to a student. Traditional EdChoice is no longer the default program if a family qualifies for both programs. A family can choose which program they want to participate in.
Will EdChoice increase the maximum class size at St. Michael School?
The preferred maximum class size based on the size of our campus has always been 25 students. We pride ourselves in being a close-knit, strategically small Catholic school.
The preferred maximum class size based on the size of our campus has always been 25 students. We pride ourselves in being a close-knit, strategically small Catholic school.
Will EdChoice require different standards or changes to the curriculum?
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Schools Office and the State of Ohio Department of Education & Workforce already work closely together to determine the necessary standards of instruction and testing.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Schools Office and the State of Ohio Department of Education & Workforce already work closely together to determine the necessary standards of instruction and testing.
Will EdChoice change the culture of St. Michael School?
No, St. Michael Parish School prides itself in graduating intelligent, faith-filled, well-behaved students. All students are held to the same behavioral standards and code of conduct. The culture of Christian community that St. Michael School is built upon, is not subject to compromise. During the admissions process, St. Michael School cannot and will not ask parents of a student to disclose family's income is at or below FPL.
No, St. Michael Parish School prides itself in graduating intelligent, faith-filled, well-behaved students. All students are held to the same behavioral standards and code of conduct. The culture of Christian community that St. Michael School is built upon, is not subject to compromise. During the admissions process, St. Michael School cannot and will not ask parents of a student to disclose family's income is at or below FPL.
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 & Workforce Income Verification processes is completed once per household.
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 & 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.
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.
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:
The required documents for application processing by St. Michael School can be delivered to the School Office in the following ways:
- Email clear, legible copies to edchoice@stmichaelsharonville.org
- School Office Drop-Off
I still have questions...
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11136 Oak Street, Sharonville, Ohio 45241
(513) 554-3555 office | (513) 554-3543 fax Carolyn Murphy, Principal © 2022 St. Michael School Privacy Statement | Terms of Use |
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