Any student who has been identified by their district as qualifying for special education under the autism category and for whom the district has created an individualized education plan (IEP),  qualifies for the Autism Scholarship program.

The student must have a current IEP from the district of residence that is finalized and all parties, including the parent, must be in agreement with the IEP.

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A child is eligible to apply to participate in the program when the child turns three.

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A parent whose child attends a community school may apply to participate in the program. The parent/child must obtain a current multi-factored evaluation (MFE) and IEP from their district of residence to apply for the Autism Scholarship program. If awarded the scholarship, the parent must withdraw the child from the community school to accept the scholarship.

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No. The scholarship is an educational choice program. If a student accepts the scholarship, the public district is no longer responsible for providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE). The student must use the scholarship to obtain their education AND supportive services.

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If a student is eligible for the Autism Scholarship Program, the first step is to select a participating Autism Scholarship provider to implement their child's IEP. A list of registered providers is available through our online search tool that can be accessed through the Autism Scholarship web page or by going directly to https://scholarship.ode.state.oh.us . The application form is available from providers, and the provider will submit the application electronically on behalf of the student.

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Parents can apply for the scholarship year-round. If a parent applies during the 4th quarter (April-June) service will not be approved to start until the new program year which will begin July 1st. The ASP program year begins July 1st of each year and ends June 30th of the succeeding year.

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The district of residence must always write the IEP as if the district of residence would be implementing the IEP. There should be no mention of the Autism Scholarship program on the child's IEP.

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No. Parents can apply for multiple scholarships for their child, but they can only accept one state funded scholarship.

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A provider participating in the Autism Scholarship program cannot discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, or disability.  The provider can maintain any other admission policies and is not required to accept every student who is eligible for the scholarship. Providers are not required to alter their business practices or policies under the program as long as they do not conflict with program regulations. A parent/guardian must comply with all of the provider's policies.

If a provider participating in the Autism Scholarship program accepts a student, a parent/guardian must read and understand any contracts/agreements entered into with the provider. The parent/guardian must obtain written copies of any contracts/agreements entered with the school (e.g. tuition and fee schedules).
 

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The scholarship can pay for the child's education including related services on the child's IEP. Only services provided by a registered Autism Scholarship provider can be invoiced to the scholarship.

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The maximum scholarship amount is $27,000 per school year. The child must be in the program for a full academic year to claim the maximum amount.

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Parents can complete a service modification request form with their provider to add a service associated with educating their child that was not included on the child's individualized education program.  If approved by the Department, the modification will allow the parent to use scholarship dollars to purchase the additional service.  The modification will not change the student's IEP.

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If the cost exceeds the maximum amount allowed per year, the parent would be responsible for covering the additional cost.

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For a parent with multiple providers, the parent will designate the maximum amount of the scholarship each provider can receive when they accept the scholarship. Each provider will submit invoices through our online scholarship system.  The online scholarship system will track all invoices and payments and a printout of the history can be obtained from the provider if there are ever any questions.  Parents can also set up their own access to the online system and view their students’ information at any time.  For instructions, refer to the parent portal information on this web page.
 

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Each provider that works with your child will be required to complete progress reports.  Those reports are completed quarterly and given to the parent by the provider.  Reports are due on September 30, December 31, March 31st and June 30th.  The report will give the parent detailed information on the child's progress for the goals and objectives that the providers are addressing.

If the child attends a chartered non-public school, that school will also provide report cards indicating how the child is doing in their regular classes.

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By accepting the scholarship, you have relinquished your right to FAPE. Your district must renew your child's IEP annually and conduct required evaluations, but the district is not required to provide any services to your child.
 

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The scholarship checks are written to the provider and the parent. By law, the parent/guardian is required to endorse the scholarship checks. The parent must endorse each scholarship check before the provider can cash or deposit the scholarship payment. A parent/guardian cannot take a scholarship check from a provider nor can he/she refuse to endorse a check unless a written complaint has been filed regarding failure to provide the services.

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If transportation is listed on the IEP as a related service, the parent may obtain transportation from a registered private provider that is approved by the state to provide such transportation and claim it for reimbursement through the Autism Scholarship program.

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If your child attends a chartered non-public school, the school will be able to award a diploma once your child has met state graduation requirements. If your child is attending a special education program that is not chartered as a school, you must notify your district superintendent of your intent to home school your child.  Recent changes in law may allow for some home school students to receive diplomas.  Please see section 3313.6110 of the Ohio Revised Code for more information.

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A child between six and eighteen years of age is "of compulsory school age". Parents of children who are of compulsory age are obligated to ensure that their child receives instruction. Every child of compulsory school age shall attend a school or participate in a special education program that conforms to the minimum standards prescribed by the state board of education.

Many of the service providers who participate in the Autism Scholarship program provide specific services on the IEP but do not provide minimum instruction. If your child is not attending a chartered non-public school or a non-chartered non-public school, then the parent is obligated to register their child as home schooled with their district of residence.
 

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The parent must work with providers that they choose to insure that their child's educational needs are met and they receive the necessary supportive services.

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Registered private providers and registered alternative public providers can provide services under the scholarship.

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Providers register via our on-line scholarship system. They are required to document that they meet the minimum guidelines established for providers in law. The requirement for providers are detailed in ORC 3310.41 and amplified in OAC 3301-103-06.

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Yes, a public school district or other public special education provider can register to provide services to children whose parents would owe fees for the services provided. For example, a school district could register to provide services to children in neighboring school districts.

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Providers can establish their rates, but they cannot charge a higher rate to a student on the scholarship program than they would charge the general public.

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Parents can file a written complaint with the department of education if they feel that a provider serving their child under the Autism Scholarship program violated a requirement of the rules that apply to providers registered for the program. The requirement for providers are detailed in ORC 3310.41 and amplified in OAC 3301-103-04(B)(2).

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