Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program

This voucher program is available only to students ages 5-21 who have an IEP from their local school district. There is no income cap. Participants who wish to renew their scholarship must take required assessments, unless they meet one of the exemptions provided for in statute. The student must comply with the state compulsory attendance law. A student who receives a Peterson voucher cannot participate simultaneously in any of the other state voucher programs. A scholarship’s value is determined by the student’s special needs. There are six categories of scholarships, ranging from $9,585 to $32,445. The number of vouchers available is capped at 5% of the students with special needs statewide. A 2024 amendment to the statute authorizes non-school service providers to provide services by virtual means.  

Funding Mechanism: Statute-specific formula  

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

(Last updated December 16, 2025)

For most participants, funds may be used to pay tuition and fees at qualifying private schools, as well as services not included in the student’s IEP but associated with educating the child. Funds from the program may also be used to pay for transportation, provided the student lives more than two miles away from his or her zoned public school and is in kindergarten through eighth grade. Parents of students with a Category I disability (speech and language only) may use the scholarship only to pay for services included in their child’s IEP. They may not use the scholarship to pay for tuition at a private school. 

(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 §§ 3310.51 through 64

(Last updated February 15, 2023)