Ohio students with special needs can now apply for a Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship. The deadline to apply is November 15, 2016.
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program is available for Ohio students who have special needs. Recipients can use their scholarship toward services and education costs at the participating school and/or provider(s) of their family’s choice. There are currently more than 300 registered schools and private providers statewide.
Scholarships are worth between $7,578 and $27,000, depending on the child’s special education category as identified on their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Eligible students who apply during this application window will receive a prorated scholarship that begins in January 2017.
Any student in the state with an IEP is eligible to apply. Students can use the scholarship for one or more of the following:
• Services at private therapists and other approved services providers
• Services and tuition at participating private schools (with the exception of category one students)
• Participating public schools outside the student’s home district
To apply, families can research the participating providers in their area. Next, they choose the private school and/or provider(s) that are the best fit for their child’s unique learning needs. Families may choose more than one approved provider to fulfill the services listed on their child’s IEP. Finally, parents apply to the participating school and/or providers of their choice, and ask the child’s primary provider to apply for the scholarship on their behalf.
The number of available scholarships is capped at five percent of the total number of students with special needs in the state. Current private school students are eligible to apply. Students cannot receive a scholarship and remain in their resident school district.
For more information about the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, visit www.scohio.org.