41 Days of School Choice: Day 34 – Ohio Builds Strong Educational Foundations

Columbus, Ohio (Sept. 19, 2014) – The American Federation for Children, the nation’s voice for educational choice, and School Choice Ohio celebrate day 34 of the #41Days of School Choice initiative highlighting Ohio’s Income-Based Scholarship Program, which allows students from low and middle-income families to attend the participating private school of their choice.

The Income-Based Scholarship Program, also referred to as the EdChoice Expansion, was enacted in 2013 and allows students from low and middle-income families to receive a scholarship to attend a private school. Any incoming kindergarten or first grade student whose family income is at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines was eligible to apply for a scholarship for the 2014-15 school year.
As the children progress in grade-level, the program also expands by one grade level each year. The scholarship will pay for tuition for a private education, with scholarships worth up to $4,250. The brand new program already serves approximately 1,000 students statewide.
“As a single mother, it would be impossible for me to send my children to a private school without the help of the Income-Based Scholarship Program,” said Allison Myers, the mother of a scholarship recipient. “Receiving the scholarship has been a real blessing, and I have found comfort in knowing that I can send my kids to a high-quality school where they will receive an excellent education. With the opportunity this scholarship program provides, I see a better future for my kids.”
“Empowering parents with high-quality educational options for their children from the start of their children’s educational career is what all students and families deserve,” said Kevin P. Chavous, executive counsel to the American Federation for Children. “It is important that children receive a strong foundation while beginning their education, which is exactly what Ohio’s Income-Based Scholarship Program was created to accomplish.”
“The Income-Based Scholarship Program has opened the door for many more Ohio families to send their children to the school they believe will be the best fit for their child’s learning needs,” said School Choice Ohio Executive Director Matt Cox. “This program is already changing lives across the state, and we are thrilled that it is helping prepare students for life-long success.”
Program Facts:

• 4,000 scholarships available in the 2014-15 school year
• In order to qualify, student’s family income must be at or below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines ($47,100 for a family of four)
• After receiving a scholarship, if a family’s income rises to between 200 and 300 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines, their child will receive a scholarship worth 75 percent of its maximum amount.
• If the student’s family income rises above 300 percent but remains at or below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the student will receive a scholarship worth 50 percent of the full scholarship amount.
• If a family’s income rises above 400 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines, the child will no longer be eligible to receive a scholarship.

For more information about this program visit: www.scohio.org/income
Throughout the 41 Days of School Choice campaign, the American Federation for Children will be promoting programs using the hashtag “#41Days”

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The American Federation for Children is the nation’s leading school choice advocacy organization and works in states across the country to help secure additional, high-quality educational options for families.

School Choice Ohio is the only statewide organization that educates parents on their education options and advocates for the expansion of quality options for every child.