Ohio EdChoice Scholarship 2026-2027
Award amounts vary based on income and family size
The Ohio EdChoice Scholarship 2026–2027 program can make a Christian education at Lake Center Christian School more affordable than many families realize. If you’re exploring private school options, you’re not alone. Understanding EdChoice can be an important first step. On this page, we explain how the scholarship works, who qualifies, how much families may receive, and how to apply through Lake Center Christian School as an EdChoice partner school.
If you’re curious about what EdChoice could mean for your family, we’d be happy to explore it with you. Connect with our Admissions Department at (330) 877-2049 or email [email protected] or schedule a tour.
What is the Ohio EdChoice Program?
The Ohio EdChoice Scholarship program allows eligible K–12 students to use state-funded scholarships to attend participating private schools, including Lake Center Christian School. There are two main pathways:
- Traditional EdChoice: for students assigned to designated, underperforming public schools.
- EdChoice Expansion (Income-Based): for students in any district, based primarily on family income.
In recent years, Ohio has expanded EdChoice so that every family in the state is eligible for some level of scholarship, with larger awards for lower and middle-income households.
For the 2026–2027 school year, the base EdChoice scholarship amounts are:
- Up to $6,166 per year for students in grades K–8.
- Up to $8,408 per year for students in grades 9–12.
The state uses these base amounts and then applies a sliding scale based on your family’s income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Families at or below a certain percentage of the FPL may receive the full amount. As income rises, the award gradually decreases but all families still qualify for some scholarship.
Who Qualifies for the EdChoice Scholarship?
There are two main ways your child may qualify for the Ohio EdChoice Scholarship:
Traditional EdChoice (School-Based Eligibility)
Students qualify if they are assigned to a public school that the state has identified as underperforming. Families who qualify receive the full scholarship amount. You can check the state’s official list or contact Lake Center Christian School’s Financial Aid Coordinator, Mrs. Tiffany Gentry, at [email protected] for help.EdChoice Expansion (Income-Based Eligibility)
This option is based on your household income. Ohio uses federal poverty guidelines to determine the award:
Lower-income families get the full scholarship.
Middle-income families receive a full scholarship to help cover a significant portion of tuition but will have to make up the difference in the tuition total.
Higher-income families receive a smaller scholarship.
Many families are surprised to learn that they still qualify, even if they think their income is too high.
When Can Families Apply for EdChoice for 2026–2027?
The application opens on February 1, 2026.
We strongly encourage submitting by May 15, 2026 to avoid possible delays from state process changes after July 1.
Submit an application for each student every school year, even for renewals.
Lake Center Christian School families should apply as soon as possible.
If your child already receives the John Peterson Scholarship, they cannot receive the EdChoice Scholarship.
Follow the LCCS Four-Step Guideline below for Lake Center’s application process.
First-Time or Renewal? Here’s What to Do
Please complete the Renewal Form Application for each student.
- Include a utility bill (dated within the last 90 days) for proof of address that includes a matching service and billing address.
- Renewal Applications DO NOT require birth certificates.
- Submit complete forms to Mrs. Tiffany Gentry, LCCS Financial Aid Coordinator at [email protected].
All new first-time applicants must choose EdChoice-Expansion (Income Based) or Traditional (Failing School Districts) at the top of each child’s application. Please complete the Request Application
- Include a utility bill (dated within the last 90 days) for proof of address that includes a matching service and billing address.
- Provide a COPY of birth certificates for each child.
- Submit completed forms to Mrs. Tiffany Gentry, LCCS Financial Aid Coordinator at [email protected].
Great! Please wait to apply until your child(ren) are officially enrolled at Lake Center before starting the Ohio EdChoice application.
A student must receive an official offer of a seat from the school and begin the enrollment process before applying. Applications cannot be submitted until enrollment has started.
LCCS Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Choose your application (See Boxes Below for application links). Complete and send to LCCS Financial Aid Coordinator, Mrs. Tiffany Gentry at [email protected]
Step 2: Mrs. Tiffany Gentry will submit your application to the State of Ohio and then will confirm by email or PowerSchool that your application has been submitted to the State of Ohio. In that correspondence, she will provide your next steps.
Step 3: Income (Income Verification Guide) -PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBLE TO COMPLETE. Three family scenarios are required to submit income verification:
- If your family is AT or below 200% Federal Poverty Guideline
- If you have experienced a decrease in income
- All first time NEW Request Applications
Step 4: When you receive your Award Notice from the State of Ohio (July or August), please print and sign. Either email a copy to [email protected], or drop it off with one the receptionists.
Families are still responsible for the LCCS Operations Fees and any tuition amount not covered by the scholarship, unless you are below the 200% Federal poverty level. Past due bills need to be made current before filling out your new school year application. View LCCS Tuition & Fees Information.
