How to Apply for the Ohio Autism Scholarship: A Guide for Summit County Parents

Informational only. It is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Rules and amounts change, so confirm details with the agency or provider named before you act.

The Ohio Autism Scholarship lets eligible families use state funds to get the services in their child's education plan from an approved provider, instead of from their school district's own program. This guide walks through the official rules in plain language, with links to every source.

What the scholarship is

Ohio's Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) describes the program as giving parents of qualifying children with autism "the choice to send the child to a special education program other than the one operated by the school district of residence" to receive the services in the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Autism Education Plan (AEP). (DEW)

Under state law, the scholarship pays tuition for a program that carries out the child's IEP or education plan, run by another public provider or a state-approved ("registered") private provider. Families may use more than one provider. (ORC 3310.41)

Who qualifies

According to DEW, a child may qualify if at least one of these is true (DEW):

• Your school district has identified your child as a child with autism and has created an IEP. The IEP must be current, finalized, and agreed to by all parties, including you.
• Your child has a private diagnosis of autism, and it is reflected in an IEP or in an Autism Education Plan (AEP) developed by your school district.

Children can apply starting when they turn 3. State law covers children who are at least 3 and younger than 22. (DEW; ORC 3310.41)

If your child has a private diagnosis but no IEP that includes autism-related services, state law says your school district must develop an education plan (the AEP) for your child. (ORC 3310.41(L))

The state does not require income verification for the scholarship. (ORC 3310.41(N))

What a private diagnosis should include

DEW's guidance says a private diagnosis should (DEW):

• Be dated and signed by the doctor or psychologist who made the diagnosis.
• Include that doctor's or psychologist's address and phone number, preferably on letterhead.
• Identify the child (name, address, date of birth) and the parent or guardian.
• Clearly state the diagnosis.

How much is it?

For the 2026–27 school year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), DEW lists a maximum Autism Scholarship amount of $34,000. A child must be in the program for the whole school year to receive the full amount. Parents are responsible for costs above that amount and for services not in the IEP or AEP. (DEW FY 2027 amount)

How to apply, step by step

1. Check eligibility. Review the criteria above on DEW's Autism Scholarship page.
2. Make sure the IEP or AEP is in place. A scholarship can't be awarded while your district is still developing the IEP, or while a dispute about its content is pending. (ORC 3310.41(D))
3. Choose a participating provider and enroll. DEW says families must first enroll with a participating Autism Scholarship provider. Use the state's Scholarship Provider Directory to search by county, or start with our list of scholarship providers in and near Summit County. (DEW: How to Apply)
4. Complete the application. The application is completed annually and includes signed consent for your district to share your child's IEP, evaluation team report, and progress reports with the provider. (OAC 3301-103-03)
5. Wait for written approval. DEW notifies parents in writing. Scholarship funds can't pay for services received before that approval. (OAC 3301-103-03)

Once approved, parents can check application status, progress reports, and invoices in DEW's online parent portal. (DEW: How to Apply)

Deadline

The state rule says the deadline for receipt of applications for students older than age three is May 31 each year. Applications received after the deadline are processed for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1. (OAC 3301-103-03) Ask your provider or DEW how this applies to your child's situation.

Important trade-off: your district's obligations

While your child uses the scholarship, your school district is not obligated to provide your child a free appropriate public education (FAPE), except for developing the IEP or education plan. If you stop using the scholarship and re-enroll in your district's program, the district must provide FAPE again. Your child stays entitled to transportation as provided by law. (ORC 3310.41(E)–(F))

DEW also notes that if you enroll with a business (non-school) provider, you are responsible for home educating your child. (DEW)

Choosing a provider

Approved providers are listed in the state's Scholarship Provider Directory, which lets you view services offered and staff credentials. On AutismHub, you can browse scholarship providers near Summit County, including in Akron, Hudson, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, and Solon. Questions you may want to ask each provider:

• Which services in my child's IEP or AEP can you provide, and which would need another provider?
• Do you have openings or a waitlist right now?
• What is your tuition, and is any part of it more than the scholarship covers?
• Is your program a school, or would I need to home educate my child?
• Are services in-clinic, in-home, or virtual?

Who to contact

Autism Scholarship Program, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce: autismscholarship@education.ohio.gov, 614-728-3480 or 877-644-6338. (DEW)

Sources

1. Autism Scholarship – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
2. How to Apply for an Autism Scholarship – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
3. FY 2027 Autism Scholarship Amount (PDF) – Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
4. Ohio Revised Code 3310.41 – Autism scholarship program
5. Ohio Administrative Code 3301-103-03 – Procedures and deadlines for parents to apply
6. Ohio Scholarship Provider Interactive Directory – data.ohio.gov

Last reviewed Oct 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us or email info@autismhub.me.