EdChoice

New Application Guide

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At Bishop Rosecrans, we proudly participate in Ohio’s Educational Choice Scholarship (EdChoice) Program. Every student in Ohio is eligible for an EdChoice scholarship, either through specific criteria or income-based eligibility.

Below is a step-by-step guide to navigating the EdChoice application process for the 2026–2027 school year. Our goal is to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible so you can focus on what matters most: your child’s education.

Before starting the process, ensure you have the necessary documents on hand. Collect these in advance to expedite the process.

• Completed EdChoice Request Form (for new applicants) or EdChoice Renewal Form (for renewals)
• Acceptable proof of residency
• Student enrollment confirmation for the 2026–2027 school year
• Income verification (first-time EdChoice Expansion applicants only)

Date	Milestone
February 1, 2026	Bishop Rosecrans begins accepting EdChoice applications and renewals.
March 15, 2026	Deadline to submit Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) scholarship via the FACTS Grant & Aid application.
May 1, 2026	Recommended deadline to submit EdChoice renewal paperwork to Bishop Rosecrans.
May 1, 2026	Deadline to apply for Bishop Rosecrans internal SGO (if applicable).
August 1, 2026	Tuition payment plans begin in FACTS.

Use the links below to access state forms and guidance:

• EdChoice Renewal Form
• EdChoice Traditional Fact Sheet
• Acceptable Proof of Residency
• EdChoice Traditional
• EdChoice Expansion
• EdChoice Traditional Fact Sheet

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

All Ohio students enrolled in a participating private school, like Bishop Rosecrans, are eligible for the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship. Some families may also qualify for the Traditional Scholarship based on their assigned public school district or specific circumstances (e.g., foster care, guardianship, or kinship care).

How do I apply or reapply for EdChoice?

Families submit an EdChoice request or renewal form to the school along with supporting documents. See the checklist and resources above.

Do I need to enroll my child before applying?

Yes. Bishop Rosecrans can process EdChoice applications only for students currently enrolled in the 2025–2026 school year or who have completed enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year.

Do I have to renew every year?

Yes. The scholarship must be renewed annually for each child.

When should I submit an EdChoice request/renewal form?

Applications can be submitted to Bishop Rosecrans starting February 1, 2026. Late applications may be awarded a pro-rated amount based on the remaining school year. Bishop Rosecrans may set an earlier internal submission cutoff date.

What if I qualify for both Traditional and Expansion programs?

If you're eligible for both programs, we recommend applying for the Traditional EdChoice Scholarship because it offers the full scholarship amount regardless of income. Families may apply for only one program.

What happens next after I submit my paperwork?

After you submit your application(s), the school will confirm receipt via email and then submit your forms through the EdChoice portal. Each application is reviewed before the scholarship is awarded, but the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce does not specify the processing timeline.

When will the scholarship be awarded?

Renewals should expect processing to be completed by late July 2026. New applicants will likely see their scholarships awarded sooner. Renewals may require additional verification by the State of Ohio, including achievement testing for the 2025–2026 school year (typically administered in June).

Do I need to verify my income?

All first-time EdChoice Expansion applicants must verify income with the Office of Nonpublic Educational Options. Scholarships are based on your family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Renewing families (including those with a new child at Bishop Rosecrans) do not need to verify income, but may do so if they want their scholarship amount recalculated.

Who receives scholarship payments?

Payments are mailed directly to the school from the state Scholarship Office.

Are there any additional requirements for my child?

Yes. Students must not have 20 or more unexcused absences in a year, and they must complete required assessments in alignment with current archdiocesan requirements.

Are there payment plan fees?

Yes. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, new families choosing the semi-annual payment plan will incur a $22 fee through FACTS. New families choosing a quarterly or monthly plan will incur a $53 fee. Families who choose the “pay in full” option will not be charged a fee.

Do I need a tuition payment plan if I’m applying for EdChoice?

Yes. All families must set up a payment plan and provide a valid payment method through FACTS. The deadline to establish both is August 1, 2026. If you expect to receive the full EdChoice Scholarship amount, consider selecting the “pay in full” option to avoid fees.

Questions? Contact Bishop Rosecrans main office for assistance – (740) 452-7504.

Renewall Guide

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Bishop Rosecrans School participates in Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program, which provides

state-funded scholarships to families based on eligibility or income level. Simply put, all Ohio students can qualify for an EdChoice scholarship, either through specific criteria or based on family income. The renewal process is simple and straightforward — we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Students who received an EdChoice Scholarship for 2025–2026 are eligible for renewal in 2026–2027, as long as they meet the following criteria:

• Complete required assessments: IOWA
• Have no more than 20 unexcused absences and remain an Ohio
• Do not move to another public school district (EdChoice Traditional only).

Follow the steps below for each child seeking renewal:

Step	What to do	Link
Step 1 (30 mins)	Complete the 2026–2027 renewal form for each child seeking renewal.	EdChoice Renewal Form
Step 2 (15 mins)	Submit proof of residency with your 2026–2027 renewal paperwork (one per household).	Acceptable Proof of Residency
Step 3 (10 mins)	Submit your signed renewal form to the school office or email it to juwagner@cdeducation.org.
Step 4	Refer to the 2026–2027 scholarship/financial aid timeline and FAQs below.

Date	Milestone
February 1, 2026	Bishop Rosecrans begins accepting EdChoice applications.
March 15, 2026	Deadline to submit Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) scholarship via the FACTS Grant & Aid application.
May 1, 2026	Recommended deadline to submit EdChoice renewal application paperwork to Bishop Rosecrans.
May 1, 2026	Deadline to apply for internal financial aid via the FACTS Grant & Aid application (Ohio families are eligible only after applying for EdChoice & CEF scholarships).
August 1, 2026	Tuition payment plans begin in FACTS (by the deadline to establish a payment plan and provide a valid payment method).

Use the links below to access state forms and guidance:

• EdChoice Traditional “How To” & additional resources
• EdChoice Renewal Form
• EdChoice Traditional Fact Sheet
• EdChoice Expansion “How To” & additional resources
• Acceptable Proof of Residency
• EdChoice Traditional Fact Sheet
• EdChoice Request Form

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

All Ohio students enrolled in a participating private school, like Bishop Rosecrans School, are eligible for the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship. Some families may also qualify for the Traditional Scholarship based on their assigned public school district or on specific circumstances such as foster care, guardianship, or kinship care.

How do I apply or reapply for EdChoice?

Families must submit an EdChoice request or renewal form to the school, along with supporting documents. See the steps above for details.

Do I need to enroll my child before applying?

Yes. Bishop Rosecrans School can process EdChoice applications only for students currently enrolled in the 2025–2026 school year or who have completed enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year.

Do I need to renew annually?

Yes — the scholarship must be renewed annually.

When should I submit an EdChoice request/renewal form?

Applications can be submitted starting January 12, 2026. Per the State of Ohio, late applications are awarded a pro-rated amount based on the remaining school year. The school may set an earlier internal submission cutoff date.

What happens next?

After you submit your application(s), the school will confirm receipt via email and submit your forms through the EdChoice portal. Each application undergoes a review before the scholarship is awarded, but the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce does not specify how long this process takes. We recommend submitting as early as possible for the 2026–2027 school year.

When will the scholarship be awarded?

Renewals should expect processing to be completed by late July 2026. New applicants will likely see their scholarships awarded sooner. Renewals require additional verification by the State of Ohio, including achievement testing for the 2025–2026 school year, which takes place in June.

Do I need to verify my income?

All first-time EdChoice Expansion applicants must verify income with the Office of Nonpublic Educational Options. Scholarships are based on your family’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Renewing families (including those with a new child at the school) do not need to verify income but may do so if they wish to have their scholarship amount recalculated.

What if I qualify for both Traditional and Expansion scholarship programs?

If you're eligible for both programs, we recommend applying for the Traditional EdChoice Scholarship. This program offers a full scholarship amount regardless of income. Families can apply for only one program.

How does the state verify my income?

The quickest and most reliable way is to use the Income Verification Portal with your annual tax returns. Please do not send income documents directly to the school, as this can delay your application.

Do I need a tuition payment plan if I’m applying for an EdChoice Scholarship?

Yes. All families must set up a payment plan and provide a valid payment method through FACTS. The deadline to establish both is August 1, 2026. If you expect to receive the full EdChoice Scholarship amount, consider selecting the “pay in full” option to avoid fees.

Are there payment plan fees?

Yes. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, new families choosing the semi-annual payment plan will incur a $22 fee through FACTS. New families choosing a quarterly or monthly plan will incur a $53 fee. Families who choose the “pay in full” option will not be charged a fee.

Who receives scholarship payments?

Payments are mailed directly to the school from the state Scholarship Office.

Are there any additional requirements for my child?

Yes. Students must not have 20 or more unexcused absences in a year and must complete certain assessments that align with current archdiocesan requirements.

So, what’s the catch?

There’s no catch — Ohio has been expanding family access to this program for years. We’re grateful to live in a state where lawmakers support parents’ right to choose the best education for their children.

Do you have additional questions? Contact Bishop Rosecrans main Office for assistance – (740) 452-7504.