How to Apply for a Cleveland Scholarship

There are several steps families must complete to apply for the Cleveland Scholarship. Details about each step are outlined below. To view your student's scholarship information, please access the online parent portal.

STEP 1: Review Eligibility Criteria

Families that are interested in the Cleveland Scholarship program can review eligibility criteria on the Cleveland Scholarship Fact Sheet.  If any eligibility criteria applies to your student, the next step would be to find a school or provider.

STEP 2: Find a School/Provider

Once you know that your child is eligible for the Cleveland Scholarship Program, the next step is to find a participating private school and apply for enrollment. Students must first be accepted for enrollment at the participating private school in order to apply for the scholarship. The private school will submit the scholarship application for your children through the secure online scholarship application system.
 
  • Click on Scholarship Provider Directory to find a provider in your area.
  • Follow the instructions on the dashboard to select the Cleveland Scholarship.

Step 3: Apply for Scholarship

  1. Once your child has been accepted by the private school, you will be required to complete a Scholarship Request Form and provide it to the school with a copy of your child's birth certificate and proof of your current address. 
  2. The private school will submit a Cleveland Scholarship application for your child through the online secure application system, ONLY available to the private school.
  3. Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine if you meet the income requirements for your household size. If you would like the Department to determine if you qualify for low-income status, please review the Income Verification System Access and Instructions below. 
  4. The Department will mail notifications regarding all scholarship decisions. 

Step 4: Income Verification

The Department uses an online Scholarship Income Verification System. The system is available for families to enter and submit their income information electronically to the Scholarship office for verification. Parents are able to enter household member information, income information, and upload supporting income documents directly into the online system.

Parent Portal

How to Renew

Students who are currently receiving a Cleveland Scholarship can renew the scholarship as long as they meet the following requirements:

  1. They take all required assessments for their grade level;
  2. They do not move out of the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Parents of renewal students who meet these requirements must complete the Cleveland Scholarship Renewal Form and be attending for the following school year.

  1. If your child will attend a different private school next year, complete the admissions process at the NEW private school. Once the child is accepted, provide the new school with the Scholarship Renewal Form and proof of current address.
  2. The private school will submit a renewal application for your child through the online Cleveland Scholarship application system.
  3. Check the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine if you meet the income requirements for your household size. If you would like the Department to determine if you qualify for low-income status, please review the Income Verification System Access and Instructions above. 
  4.  The Department will mail notifications regarding all scholarship decisions.​

Last Modified: 3/19/2026 10:24:39 AM