Cleveland Scholarship Program

All K–12 students residing in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District are eligible for the Cleveland Scholarship Program. Students eligible for this regional program may not use the statewide EdChoice Scholarship program. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce funds scholarships through appropriations that also support school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and other scholarships. Participating schools must accept the scholarship as full tuition for K–8 students from households at or below 200% of the FPL ($64,300 for a family of four in 2025-2026). For high school students or families above the income threshold, schools may charge more, and parents may pay the tuition difference or provide in-kind services. All qualifying Cleveland K–12 students who wish to participate may receive funding. 

Funding Mechanism: Appropriation based on enrollment 

Universal Eligibility: ❌
Universal Usage: ❌
Universal Funding: ✅
Truly Universal: ❌

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Students may use scholarships for tuition at participating public or private schools. Families of students in grades K–8 with incomes less than 200% of the FPL will not have to pay tuition that is not covered by the scholarship. Parents/guardians are responsible for registration fees, materials fees, and other related expenses. The scholarship award can only be used toward school tuition. 

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

View program requirements for parents, schools, and scholarship granting organizations by clicking on each hyperlink.

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

Ohio Rev. Code §§ 3313.974 through 979

(Last updated February 15, 2023)

On June 27, 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris ruled that the Cleveland school voucher program does not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; vouchers are constitutional when parents have independent, private choice of schools without favoring or disfavoring religion. By design, the voucher program is “school neutral.” The Ohio Supreme Court had previously struck down the Cleveland voucher program, Simmons-Harris v. Goff, 711 N.E.2d 203 (Ohio 1999), ruling it was unconstitutional because the legislation adopting the voucher program violated the single subject rule. However, the Ohio court also held that the voucher program did not violate the state constitution’s compelled support or education clauses and did not violate the Federal constitution’s Establishment Clause. In Zelman, the U.S. Supreme Court opined, “We believe that the program challenged here is a program of true private choice . . . and thus constitutional.” The Court held that the program is “entirely neutral with respect to religion,” that parents may “exercise genuine choice among options public and private, secular and religious,” and that this program of true private choice “does not offend the Establishment Clause.” Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, 536 U.S. 639 (2002).

(Last updated December 18, 2023)