The Traditional EdChoice program has been around for a number of years. It provided students who lived in a poorly performing school district with state funds to attend a nonpublic school. In the State of Ohio biennial budget approved on June 30, 2023, the program was broadened. Expansion EdChoice is available to all Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Ohio. The amount available to each student is based on the family’s size and income. Under both programs, the funds received from the state may only be used to pay tuition. 

For grade schools, the maximum award for the 2023-2024 school year for each student is $6,166. This is for a family whose income is at or below 450% of the Federal Poverty Level. For families at or above 451%, the award is prorated depending on your level with a minimum amount for families above 750% of $650. Please see the attachment Income Eligibility Requirements for 2023-2024 for details. However, the award is limited to the actual tuition charged by St. Raphael School.

How do you determine your family size for the state of Ohio? First you would count the student then the birth parent and spouse or legal guardian of any children under the age of 18. Children between the ages of 18 and 22, if they are full-time students, can also be counted as well as any adults that are claimed on your tax return as dependents due to age or disability.

How do you determine your income for the state of Ohio? Your adjusted gross income will be used from your tax return. Look at your 2022 1040 page 1 line 11 and you will see your adjusted gross income.

The tuition for the current year will not change. This is the fairest way to handle the initial year. Tuition for one student at the school this year is $4,765 (it is discounted for multiple students). For this school year only, St. Raphael families will receive a refund of any overpayment received from the state for tuition already paid. Or, if the family chooses, it may elect a credit for the following year.

Because of the delays in processing refunds by the state, families will continue to pay tuition as it is currently set up. Please note that families do not receive EdChoice funds directly, as all are paid to the designated school. A family will only receive a refund for the current year or a credit for next year if it applies and the application is approved by the Ohio Department of Education.