Jon Peterson Scholarship

1. What is Ohio’s Jon Peterson Scholarship Program?
The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program (JPSN) gives the parents of children with disabilities the choice to send their child to special education programs other than the one operated by their school district of residence to receive the education and the services outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

2. Who is eligible to apply?
Children are eligible to apply from kindergarten up to age 22 (if high school graduation requirements have not been met), and have been determined eligible for special education and related services through an Evaluation Team Report (ETR). A finalized IEP from their district of residence is required to receive the scholarship award.

3. What is the value of the scholarship?
Scholarship amounts are based on the category of eligibility in the student’s Evaluation Team Report (ETR). Maximum scholarship amounts range from $9,585 to $32,455. The child must be enrolled in the scholarship program for the entire school year to receive the full scholarship amount. Refer to the Category Award Amount chart for specific details.

4. Will parents/guardians have to pay any amount of money?
The scholarship pays for services on the child’s IEP. The cost of education is only included if the JPSN provider is a chartered non-public school, providing special education/related services and is an approved scholarship provider. Parents/legal guardians are responsible for any costs exceeding the amount of the scholarship.

*Category 1 (Speech or Language Impairment) students may only utilize their scholarship to pay for related services that are included in the IEP. Students in this category cannot use the scholarship to pay tuition (education) at the nonpublic school.

5. Will every child who applies be awarded a scholarship?
No, the number of scholarships awarded cannot exceed five percent of the total number of Ohio students identified as a child with a disability. If the number of eligible students who apply for a scholarship exceeds the number of available scholarships, a lottery will be conducted.

6. If my child is awarded a scholarship, how long can he/she continue to use the scholarship?
The scholarship application process occurs on a yearly basis. If the student continues to be eligible for special education and related services and has a current IEP, then a parent may submit a renewal application for the next program year.

7. What services does Archbishop Hoban offer under the scholarship?
Archbishop Hoban currently offers intervention services and classroom/testing accommodations. Hoban does not offer any related services (i.e. speech, OT, PT). However, parents can choose to use PSI virtual speech services or another provider. The scholarship allows parents to choose multiple providers.

8. Can the scholarship be used to pay tuition?
Yes, after services are calculated any remaining funds may be applied towards tuition. Students who have been identified under the category of Speech or Language Impairment in their Evaluation Team Report (ETR) are not eligible to use funds for tuition per the Ohio Department of Education.

9. Does Hoban offer a modified curriculum?
Hoban does not offer a modified curriculum. Hoban is a college preparatory school that offers a rigorous curriculum. The goal is to prepare students for post-secondary education. Colleges and universities offer accommodations but do not modify course curriculum.

10. How are services provided?
Services are provided in the Hoban Academic Success Center during the school day. Students receive services before/after school, during study hall, and Enrichment periods. Archbishop Hoban does not provide services within the general education classroom.

11. Does Hoban work with a third party provider?

No, Hoban has intervention specialists on staff who provide services to students on the scholarship.

12. Is Archbishop Hoban required to provide all services and accommodations listed in the IEP?
No, by taking the scholarship and attending a non-public school you are no longer entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The scholarship shall be used only for the cost to attend a special education program that implements the child’s IEP. However, there is no requirement that the scholarship provider provide all of the services set forth on the IEP. Refer to FAPE Comparison Chart for specific details.

13. Who is responsible for the IEP annual renewal?
The IEP is written by the student’s home school district with data and information provided by Archbishop Hoban. The home school district will schedule and conduct the meeting with parents and Archbishop Hoban.

14. Who is responsible for the three year Evaluation Team Report (ETR) re-evaluation?
Hoban resides in the Akron Public School District. Re-evaluations are completed at Archbishop Hoban by a school psychologist from Akron. Akron will schedule and conduct the meeting with the parents and Archbishop Hoban.

15. Who is responsible for progress reporting? How often will I receive a progress report?
The intervention specialist is responsible to complete progress reports and email/mail home a copy to parents/guardians. Four progress reports are completed during the school year: Summer (July-September), Fall (October-December), Winter (January-March), Spring (April-June).

16. Can I apply for EdChoice and the Jon Peterson Scholarship?
No, only one scholarship may be awarded at one time.

17. Can I apply for the Jon Peterson Scholarship and financial aid?
Yes, make sure to complete any financial aid paperwork by the deadline provided by the Admissions Office.