Cornerstone Christian Academy is now able to offer the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship which will allow students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to receive full payment for tuition at CCA.  Once approved, we will offer these scholarships to students from Christian homes who have difficulties learning in a regular class room setting but would benefit from one on one and special intervention practices.  If you are interested in information, please call us know at 351-7900 or email us at: cornerstoneacademycinci.com.  You may also click on the tab at the top and use that form to submit a request for information.

Ohio - Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program

Enacted 2011 • To be launched 2012–13

 

Ohio parents of children with special needs, who currently are enrolled in public schools, will be able to use a Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship to pay for private school tuition and additional services at private therapists and other service providers. In addition, this scholarship can be used at public providers (i.e., school districts) if the district chooses to accept the scholarship students. The number of scholarships available is capped at five percent of the students with special needs in the state. Ohio has approximately 260,000 students with Individualized Education Plans, which means around 13,000 scholarships will be available. Each scholarship will be worth 90 percent of students’ special education funding amounts, with a cap of $20,000. The program takes effect in the 2012–13 school year.

Latest Stats

  • Scholarships are worth the lesser of tuition, state aid currently provided for that child, or $20,000.
  • Eligibility for the program is capped statewide at 5% of the disabled children in the state.

Program Details

Program Type
Voucher

Scholarship/Voucher Value
The amount of the scholarship will be the least of the following three amounts: (1) the fees or tuition charged by the alternative or private school, (2) the amount of state aid that normally would be provided to the public school district, or (3) $20,000. The amount will be reduced proportionately if the child is not enrolled in the alternative or private school for the entire school year.

Participation
N/A

Student Eligibility
Parents must apply for eligibility. Their application must certify that they have received the following information from the alternative or private school: (1) methods of instruction to be used with the disabled child; and (2) qualifications of the teachers and instructors who will provide services.

Disabled children must have at least an initial Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from the public school district. Scholarships will not be awarded if the initial IEP is still being developed or is in litigation.

Disabled children who receive scholarships must take tests as prescribed by Ohio law, unless a student is excused under federal law or by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This testing requirement applies to private schools as well, which must report the testing results to the Ohio Department of Education.

Eligibility for the program is capped at five percent of the disabled children in the state.

Legal Developments
The Ohio 2011-12 budget, which creates the Jon Peterson scholarship program, was signed by Governor John Kasich on June 30, 2011. No legal challenges have been filed against the program.

Rules & Regulations

  • Income Limit: None
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide
  • Enrollment Cap: None
  • Voucher Cap: $20,000
  • Testing Mandates: None