My Learning Source Ohio › Homeschooling in Ohio › Ohio Homeschool Options — Home Education Law, the
My Learning Source Ohio › Homeschooling in Ohio › Ohio Homeschool Options — Home Education Law, the
Ohio's home education law is short. You send your school district superintendent a notice: within five calendar days of starting to homeschool, moving into a new district or withdrawing from school, and by August 30 every year after. The notice gives your name and address, your child's name and an assurance that you will teach English language arts, math, science, history, government and social studies. Your child is excused from school attendance as soon as the superintendent receives it. There is no approval, testing or required curriculum. Ohio's big school choice programs, EdChoice and the Cleveland Scholarship, pay private school tuition and can't be used to homeschool, and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) says there is no state financial assistance for home education itself. What home-educating families can use: a state income tax credit of up to 50 per student for books, supplies and software; free College Credit Plus classes at public colleges if the student is awarded funding; the right to try out for sports and other activities at the local public school; and, for a child with a disability, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship or the Autism Scholarship, used through an approved business provider while the parent keeps home educating.
| Notice required | Send a notice to the superintendent of your school district of residence within five calendar days after you start home education, move into a new district or withdraw your child from a public or nonpublic school, and by August 30 each year after (ORC 3321.042). It gives your name and address, your child's name and an assurance that you will teach the required subjects. The exemption from attendance takes effect when the notice is received, and the superintendent must acknowledge it in writing within 14 calendar days. |
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| Testing and approval | None. DEW says parents do not need approval to home educate, and districts may not ask for anything the law doesn't list. You choose the curriculum. If there is evidence a child isn't being taught the required subjects, the truancy law (ORC 3321.19) can apply. The home education section is not subject to DEW rules. |
| Compulsory school age | 6 to 18 (ORC 3321.01). A child under 6 who is enrolled in kindergarten is also of compulsory school age unless the parent formally withdraws the child from kindergarten. |
| State tax credit | Nonrefundable Ohio income tax credit equal to the lesser of 50 times the number of qualifying students, or what you spent on books, supplementary materials, supplies, computer software, apps or subscriptions used directly for home education (ORC 5747.72, as amended September 30, 2025). Computers and similar devices don't count. A qualifying student is excused for home education under ORC 3321.042 for the school year. |
| JPSN and Autism Scholarship status | Home-educated children can use either scholarship through an approved business provider; the parent stays responsible for home education. For 2026–27 (FY2027), the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship pays up to 0,045 to $34,000 depending on the disability category, and the Autism Scholarship up to $34,000. Both require an IEP (or, for autism, an education plan) from your resident district. |
| College Credit Plus | Students in grades 7–12 can take college classes for high school and college credit. Homeschool parents apply to DEW for funding: February 1 to April 1 at 5 p.m. for a full school year, or September 1 to November 1 at 5 p.m. for spring only. For spring 2027 the window closes November 1, 2026 at 5 p.m. If funding is awarded, tuition is free at public colleges; families buy textbooks. |
Ohio asks very little of homeschool families. You send a notice to your district superintendent each year and teach the six required subjects. Nobody approves your curriculum, and there is no testing, portfolio review or hours requirement. DEW says parents who home educate are completely responsible for choosing the curriculum and course of study, and that there is no state financial assistance for families who choose home education.
The money programs: EdChoice, EdChoice Expansion and the Cleveland Scholarship pay tuition at participating private schools. DEW says EdChoice does not fund home education or part-time enrollment in a private school for a home-educated student. A homeschooled child who enrolls full time in a chartered private school can apply. The two private school tax credits (the scholarship donation credit and the nonchartered school tuition credit) don't pay homeschool costs either.
What home-educating families can use: the home school expenses credit (up to 50 per student) on their Ohio income tax return; College Credit Plus, which pays college tuition for students in grades 7–12 who apply and are awarded funding; and the right to take part in extracurricular activities, including sports, at the public school they would otherwise attend.
Children with disabilities have more options. The Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship and the Autism Scholarship pay approved providers for the special education services in the child's IEP. DEW's Home Education Fact Sheet says home-educated children with special needs are not eligible to receive IEP services from their district, but may be eligible for either scholarship. A family enrolling with a business provider keeps home educating; the provider delivers the IEP services.
The Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) accounts that once gave families money for enrichment have ended. DEW says the last day to submit claims was October 15, 2025.
Both scholarships pay for special education services from a provider the family chooses, in place of the services the district would give. DEW's pages for both programs say the parent must first enroll with a participating provider, and "if they are enrolling with a business provider the parent will be responsible for home educating their child." DEW's Home Education Fact Sheet says home-educated children may potentially be eligible for either scholarship and need to find an approved provider to apply.
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (ORC 3310.51 to 3310.64): for children ages 3 through 21 whose public school district has identified them as a child with a disability and written an IEP. The IEP must be current and finalized, with all parties, including the parent, in agreement. Since September 30, 2025, children ages 3 and 4 qualify with a compliant evaluation team report (ETR) and IEP. The award depends on the primary disability on the ETR. FY2027 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) maximums:
Autism Scholarship (ORC 3310.41): for children from age 3 whom the district has identified as autistic and who have an IEP with autism services, or who have a private autism diagnosis reflected in an IEP or an Autism Education Plan (AEP) the district writes. A private diagnosis should be dated and signed by the physician or psychologist, with their address and phone number, and should identify the child and parent and state the diagnosis. The FY2027 maximum is $34,000. Families may use more than one provider, and services may be delivered virtually by permitted aides, credentialed providers or licensed teachers.
Your district still writes the plan. The district must develop the IEP for a JPSN student (ORC 3310.53), or an education plan for a child who qualifies for the Autism Scholarship by private diagnosis. While the child uses a scholarship, the district isn't obligated to provide a free appropriate public education. That obligation comes back if you stop taking the scholarship and enroll the child in the district's program.
Applying: use DEW's Scholarship Provider Directory to find a JPSN or Autism Scholarship provider, then complete the application with that provider, which submits it. You can track the application, progress reports and monthly invoices in DEW's parent portal. Ohio law bars DEW from setting fixed application deadlines for JPSN (ORC 3310.52), and JPSN renewal opens February 1 each year. The Autism Scholarship rule (OAC 3301-103-03) sets May 31 as the application deadline for children older than 3 and processes later applications for the next fiscal year, starting July 1. Check with your provider or DEW for current timing.
Renewing JPSN: the child must take the state achievement tests for the child's grade unless excused by the IEP or federal law (ORC 3310.522), stay identified as having a disability by the resident district, and have a current IEP. Parents submit the renewal form to the provider. Questions: peterson.scholarship@education.ohio.gov or autismscholarship@education.ohio.gov, 614-728-3480.
DEW's comparison document (July 2025) describes what an approved business provider does for a home-educated child. It holds an Ohio business license and provides direct intervention services tied to the child's IEP goals and related services, while the parent home educates (or enrolls the child in a chartered private school for the general curriculum). It completes quarterly progress reports. It does not provide a report card, transcript or diploma. It bills the scholarship for:
Ohio's home school expenses credit (ORC 5747.72) is the one state benefit every home-educating family can use. It is a nonrefundable credit against Ohio income tax. It equals the lesser of 50 times the number of your qualifying students, or the education expenses you paid during the year for them. The current text took effect September 30, 2025 (House Bill 96).
Who qualifies: a taxpayer with a dependent who is excused from compulsory attendance for home education under ORC 3321.042 for the school year. That means you filed the notice. Children in online public schools, out-of-state online schools or private schools don't qualify.
What counts: books, supplementary materials, supplies, computer software, applications and subscriptions used directly for home education. Computers and similar electronic devices, and their accessories, don't count.
How to claim: claim the Home School Expenses Credit on your Ohio IT 1040 Schedule of Credits when you file. Keep the superintendent's acknowledgment letter and your receipts. The tax commissioner may ask for information to support the credit, and it isn't allowed unless you provide it. Because the credit is nonrefundable, it can only reduce the Ohio tax you owe.
College Credit Plus (CCP, ORC Chapter 3365) lets students in grades 7–12 earn high school and college credit at the same time at participating Ohio colleges. All public colleges and some private colleges take part. Home-educated students are included, but the parent must apply to DEW for state funding. Ohio sets aside a separate, fixed amount for homeschool and private school students. If your student is awarded funding, tuition is free at a public college. A private college may charge modest fees, and you pay for textbooks.
Dates for 2026–27: apply between February 1 and April 1 at 5 p.m. for the whole school year; awards were posted by May 6, 2026. If you missed April 1, apply between September 1 and November 1 at 5 p.m. for spring 2027 only; awards post by December 6. The law sets the April 1 and November 1 notice dates (ORC 3365.03). DEW gives no extensions.
How to apply: create an OH|ID account for the parent (not the student) and choose the College Credit Plus – Home School application. Apply to the college and get an acceptance letter; a conditional letter is accepted for now, but the final letter is due by August 30. Upload your current superintendent acknowledgment letter. Returning students upload grades or college transcripts. Request credit hours for the whole year (summer, fall and spring): up to 30, minus 3 for each high-school-only course your student is taking. An award isn't guaranteed and may be less than you asked for. Funding doesn't carry over to the next year.
Rules to know: state funding covers homeschool students' courses on a college campus, at another college location or online (ORC 3365.07(D)). Returning students need a CCP grade point average of 2.0 or higher and must not withdraw from two or more courses in a term. When applying, parents certify they may have to repay the cost of courses not completed successfully or not dropped within 15 days after the course starts. A student can take part only one year as a 12th grader. Funding awarded to a homeschool student can't move with the student to a private school, and it is forfeited if the student enrolls in public school and joins CCP there. Courses may include mature subject matter that won't be changed for CCP students, and college record rights pass to the student. Questions: ccp@education.ohio.gov.
EdChoice and EdChoice Expansion: for 2026–27 the scholarship is $6,166 for grades K–8 and $8,408 for grades 9–12, or the school's tuition if lower. Traditional EdChoice is for students assigned to designated EdChoice public school buildings and some other groups. Students who don't qualify for traditional EdChoice and don't live in the Cleveland district can apply for EdChoice Expansion. Expansion pays the full amount at or below 450% of the federal poverty level and a prorated amount above that. The 2026–27 window runs February 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; applications after October 14, 2026 get a prorated award. The private school submits the application. Students must take all required state tests to renew. These scholarships pay private school tuition only and can't be used to homeschool.
Cleveland Scholarship: for students living in the Cleveland Municipal School District, at participating private schools. Not for home education.
Scholarship donation credit (ORC 5747.73): donors get a nonrefundable Ohio credit for cash gifts to scholarship granting organizations certified by the Attorney General, up to $750 a year, or
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit: Ohio is on the IRS list of states participating for 2027 (as of October 22, 2026). Starting January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may claim a federal credit of up to
Most Ohio homeschool families pay you directly, and there's no state approval for selling to them. Give itemized receipts: books, supplementary materials, supplies, software, apps and subscriptions can count toward the family's
The Jon Peterson and Autism Scholarships are where approval matters. A business can become a registered private provider if it is an existing business providing special education services to children, and its staff are credentialed for the services offered. The owner applies through an OH|ID account. Registration starts in December each year, and providers renew every year.
What providers must do: run background checks on staff as if the provider were a school district (ORC 3319.39, 3319.391 and 3319.392), including enrollment in the Rapback system. Keep current health and fire safety reports on file. Send progress reports on IEP goals to the child's resident district, and complete quarterly progress reports. Business providers bill the scholarship for intervention, aide and related services in the IEP. They don't issue report cards, transcripts or diplomas, because the parent home educates.
Where families look: DEW's Scholarship Provider Directory, linked from both scholarship pages, lists participating providers. DEW's scholarship resource pages also post a Request New Provider form. DEW holds open office hours for business providers; check the JPSN Resources page for dates. Contact peterson.scholarship@education.ohio.gov or autismscholarship@education.ohio.gov, 614-728-3480.
College Credit Plus funding goes from DEW to colleges, not vendors. Families pay for CCP textbooks themselves.
Listing on My Learning Source is separate from JPSN or Autism Scholarship approval — you don't need one to have the other, and families find you here either way.
Sports and extracurriculars: Ohio law (ORC 3313.5312) requires your district superintendent to give a home-educated student the chance to take part in any extracurricular activity offered at the school the student would attend. DEW defines an extracurricular activity as a school program not included in a graded course of study, so the law doesn't cover classes. If your district doesn't offer an activity, another district's superintendent may let your child join. Students must be the right age and grade and meet the same non-academic and financial requirements as other students. Districts can't impose extra rules or higher fees, and no athletic conference or association may set conflicting eligibility rules. A student who leaves school midyear is judged on an interim assessment from the old district. A student who starts home education after the school year begins while ineligible can't take part until the superintendent verifies the student meets the academic requirements, and not in the same semester the student was found ineligible. OHSAA says a home-educated student living in the district is eligible once the superintendent confirms the attendance exemption. The student must meet all other rules (scholarship, age, transfer), can be cut where teams make cuts, and must play at the residential school if it offers the sport. In a district with more than one high school, the student plays at the assigned school.
Driver's licenses: at 15 years and 6 months a teen can take the knowledge test and vision screening to get a temporary instruction permit (TIPIC). For a probationary license under 18, the BMV requires a driver education course at a licensed driver training school (24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving), 50 hours of supervised practice with at least 10 at night logged on the BMV 5791 affidavit, holding the permit at least six months, and passing the driving and skills tests. Homeschool families use the same licensed schools; the BMV page lists no homeschool-specific paperwork.
Special education: you can homeschool a child with an IEP, but DEW says home-educated children are not eligible to receive IEP services from their district of residence. The paths to services are the JPSN or Autism Scholarship through an approved business provider, or enrolling in the district's program. The district still develops the IEP (or autism education plan) that a scholarship requires.
College aid and admission: the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG, ORC 3333.122) is need-based aid for Ohio residents with an expected family contribution of $3,750 or less who enroll in an eligible undergraduate program at an Ohio public, private nonprofit or eligible career college. Applications may be based on federal student aid information. The statute has no rule about the type of high school attended. Choose Ohio First (ORC 3333.61) scholarships go to Ohio residents in STEM programs at participating colleges, which award them. Under ORC 3313.6110, a parent-issued diploma is proof of high school completion for any legal requirement. Ohio State's admissions office says homeschooled applicants follow the regular first-year or transfer path, with one more requirement: the district's written acknowledgment of the home education notice. Check each college's own homeschool rules.
My Learning Source is an independent marketplace. We are not affiliated with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, the Ohio Department of Taxation, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the Ohio BMV, the OHSAA, any college or university, or any Ohio school district, and a listing here does not mean a vendor is approved by, or paid through, the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship, the Autism Scholarship or any other state program. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.
As of October 2026.
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