EdChoice - House Bill 33 - Backpack Bill

How Do I Apply?

Universal School Choice is in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce began accepting new applications for Universal School Choice (also known as EdChoice Expansion) on July 17, 2023. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to receive maximum award.

1. Create an Ohio ID account: Click Here (complete online only!)
2. Complete the Ohio Department of Education's Income Verification: Click Here for Instructions  (complete online only!)
3. When #1 and #2 are finished, please complete the EdChoice Request Form: Click Here (fill this form out and save as a PDF)
4. Obtain proof of address (Click here to view acceptable forms of documentation)
5. Submit the following documents to St. Xavier via email: edchoice@stxavier.org (Applications will be accepted through 9/30/2023.  After that date, your scholarship may be prorated by the Ohio Dept of Education.)
   • EdChoice Request Form (PDF)
   • Proof of Address (PDF)
6. St. Xavier will complete and submit an EdChoice application, send the proof of address, as well as a birth certificate (which we should already have) for your child through the online secure application system.
7. Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine your household income status. Note: Ohio requires families applying for an expansion scholarship to have their income verified; it is NOT optional. A household—and by extension, its income—almost always includes spouses/parents and their dependents.  Click Here

 

We anticipate our community having many questions about the Universal EdChoice Expansion Program. Please submit your questions to  stx@stxavier.org

We anticipate our community having many questions about the Universal EdChoice Expansion Program. Please submit your questions to  stx@stxavier.org

 

Where can I learn more about EdChoice?
Please visit https://education.ohio.gov. 

 

Are current St. Xavier students eligible for this program or only incoming students?

All students residing in Ohio are eligible.

 

Who will qualify for EdChoice Expansion?
All State of Ohio residents will be able to apply for EdChoice scholarships regardless of school district performance and income. Students whose family's household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is at or below 450% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will receive a scholarship of $8,407 for students in grades 9-12.  Students whose family's household AGI is at 451% FPL or higher will receive a scholarship based on a sliding scale. The level of scholarship received is determined by the State of Ohio (not St. Xavier).

 

What income is used to determine eligibility?
There are several ways to determine income. We direct you to https://education.ohio.gov to further understand the State of Ohio's income verification process.

 

When will EdChoice Expansion go into effect?
St. Xavier is already a designated EdChoice provider. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce recently began accepting new applications for the Universal School Choice (also known as EdChoice Expansion). It is rumored that applications will need to be submitted by October 15, 2023 to receive full award for the 2023-2024 school year. Tuition payments for the 2023-2024 academic year should still be made on time, as there will be a waiting period for appropriate paperwork to be submitted, and scholarships to be awarded.

  

Who receives payments?
The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce will provide funds directly to St. Xavier. No money will transfer to the parent from The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce.

 

What PARENT paperwork needs to be completed and by when?
An EdChoice Scholarship Request Form and an Income Verification need to be completed. Additionally, proof of residency will be required. All documentation should be emailed to St. Xavier for application processing. Email to: edchoice@stxavier.org - Applications will be accepted through 9/30/2023.  After that date, your scholarship may be prorated by the Ohio Dept of Education..

 

What ST. XAVIER paperwork needs to be completed and by when?
Once your completed paperwork is received, St. Xavier will submit an EdChoice application for your child through the online secure application system.

 

Will St. Xavier accept traditional EdChoice scholarships in addition to expansion scholarships?
As an EdChoice designated school, we will accept any form of EdChoice scholarship made available to a student. Those residing in failing public school districts may continue to benefit from the traditional EdChoice scholarship which has no income restrictions. The award will increase from $7,500 to $8,407.

 

What do we do if we have multiple students across multiple institutions?
EdChoice scholarship applications need to be completed for each student and provided to the institution where the student will attend school in the fall. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce Income Verification processes is completed once per household.

 

What if my child receives a Jon Peterson or Autism Scholarship?
Students are not eligible to receive both the Jon Peterson/Autism and EdChoice scholarship. Please contact Kathy Raffenberg to discuss your unique situation.

 

Will my Xcellence Scholarship be effected by this new opportunity?

No. In no event will Xcellence Award Scholarships be reduced. 

 

If my family is under the AGI of 200% of the FPL, will I be billed the balance of tuition after the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship?

No.  St. Xavier will continue covering, as required by law, the gap between EdChoice and tuition costs.

 

Where do I turn in my paperwork?
The required documents for application processing should be sent to St. Xavier via email to:  edchoice@stxavier.org

 

How do I enter my students who are over 18?

Dependents under the age of 18 may be entered in the Income Verification System as members of your household. If you have children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are full-time students, or disabled dependent adults living with you, you may list these individuals’ name and date of birth in the Comment Section next to parent name. Use page 1 of the tax return for income verification as your documentation (the dependent should be listed there). Under the household member (the head of household) leave a comment that says you have an additional member. Add that additional person’s name and birthdate (and the last 4 digits of SSN should be visible on the tax return.) The ODE will override the system to add this household member to the count.

 

These scenarios are only guaranteed for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Example #1

My family currently has an EdChoice Scholarship and Financial Aid Scholarship

If an increase amount in EdChoice puts a family over 100% of the full amount of St. Xavier tuition, St. Xavier will reduce the Financial Aid Scholarship to the total tuition due amount. 

 

Example #2

My family currently does not receive an EdChoice Scholarship but receives Financial Aid from St. Xavier.  What will happen with the money from the EdChoice Expansion program?

In this scenario, 50% of the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship amount will be reduced from the St. Xavier Financial Aid Scholarship.

 

For Example:

Family currently receives $6,000 of St. Xavier Financial Aid

Family receives $5,000 from the EdChoice Expansion Program

St. Xavier Financial Aid will be adjusted to $6,000 – ½ ($5,000) or $6,000-$2,500 = $3,500 in Financial Aid

 

Final Total:  St. Xavier Financial Aid ($3,500) + EdChoice Expansion ($5,000) would result in $8,500 of scholarship for the 2023-2024 school year.