The Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship Program, codified under Ohio Revised Code (R.C.) § 3310.51 through § 3310.64 and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3301-101, is one of the nation’s premier specialized education voucher programs[1]. Enacted to empower parents of children with identified special education needs, the scholarship allows families to direct state education funds toward tailored therapies, specialized intervention, and alternative private education.
For Ohio families who homeschool under R.C. § 3321.042 (Ohio’s 2023 revised homeschool deregulation statute), the Jon Peterson Scholarship offers a powerful avenue to fund costly clinical speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and specialized dyslexia intervention without surrendering educational independence.
This comprehensive legal and practical guide—authored by education law specialists—explains statutory eligibility, category funding amounts, provider selection, application deadlines, and compliance strategies for home educators.
1[1]. What Is the Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship?
The JPSN Scholarship awards state-funded educational vouchers to students in kindergarten through grade 12 (or age 21) who have an active Evaluation Team Report (ETR) and an individualized education program (IEP) drafted by their resident public school district.
Under R.C. § 3310.52, the scholarship pays for the specific special education and related services outlined in the child’s IEP[2]. Rather than receiving services exclusively within the resident public school building, parents contract with state-approved private providers, clinical therapy centers, specialized learning academies, or registered nonpublic schools.
Unlike traditional educational vouchers that only cover tuition, JPSN funds can be unbundled to pay multiple independent therapists, specialized tutors, and behavioral interventionists.
2[2]. JPSN Category Funding Caps: 2025–2026 Rates
Scholarship funding amounts are determined directly by the primary disability category identified in the student’s ETR and IEP, as established in R.C. § 3317.014:
| Special Education Category | Primary Qualifying Disabilities | Maximum Annual Award (2025–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | Speech and Language Impairment only | $7,901 |
| Category 2 | Specific Learning Disability (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia), Developmental Disability (DD), Other Health Impairment (Minor) | $8,642 |
| Category 3 | Hearing Impaired, Severe Emotional Disturbance | $12,748 |
| Category 4 | Visual Impairments, Other Health Impairment - Major (ADHD, Chronic Illness) | $17,314 |
| Category 5 | Multiple Disabilities (Orthopedic + Cognitive), Orthopedic Impairment | $21,418 |
| Category 6 | Autism Spectrum Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Deaf-Blindness | $30,000 |
Note: Students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder are typically advised to evaluate both the JPSN Category 6 scholarship and the Ohio Autism Scholarship Program (ASP), which awards up to $32,445.
3[3]. Eligibility Criteria for Homeschool & Nonpublic Students
To qualify for the Jon Peterson Scholarship under OAC 3301-101-03, a student must fulfill the following mandatory criteria:
- Ohio Residency: The student and at least one parent or legal guardian must permanently reside within an Ohio public school district.
- Current ETR and Active IEP: The student must have been evaluated by their resident public school district, found eligible for special education services, and possess a finalized IEP.
- Public School Non-Enrollment: The student cannot be enrolled full-time in their resident public school district while utilizing JPSN funds.
- Provider Acceptance: The family must have an acceptance or service agreement letter from at least one registered, state-approved JPSN provider.
Can Homeschooled Students Participate?
Yes[3]. Under Ohio administrative procedures, parents who homeschool under R.C. § 3321.042 can access JPSN funds by enrolling their child in an approved nonpublic provider or registered community service agency[3]. In state reporting systems, the student receives scholarship-funded services under nonpublic status while home instruction satisfies general academic branches.
4[3]. How the Application Process Works: Step-by-Step
Applying for JPSN involves coordinated steps between parents, resident school districts, and approved providers.
Step 1: Secure an Evaluation Team Report (ETR) and IEP
If your child does not currently have an IEP, contact your local public school district’s special education office in writing[3]. Request a comprehensive multi-factored evaluation under federal Child Find guidelines[3]. The district has 60 calendar days from parental consent to complete the ETR and 30 days thereafter to draft the initial IEP.
Step 2: Finalize the IEP with the Resident District
Attend the IEP team meeting[3]. Ensure all necessary accommodations, therapy goals, speech minutes, occupational therapy sessions, and specialized intervention targets are explicitly written into the document[3]. You must sign the IEP acknowledging the placement offer.
Step 3: Select State-Approved Providers
Browse the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Provider Directory[3]. Identify credentialed providers—such as pediatric speech therapy practices, occupational therapy clinics, or certified intervention specialists[3]. Confirm that the provider has open capacity and accepts the JPSN reimbursement schedule.
Step 4: Provider Submits Scholarship Application
Parents do not apply directly through the state portal[3]. Instead, your chosen primary JPSN provider submits the scholarship application electronically through the DEW secure web portal on your family’s behalf.
Step 5: DEW Award Letter & Monthly Invoicing
Once DEW verifies the active IEP and provider contract, an official Scholarship Award Letter is issued[3]. The provider delivers authorized services and invoices DEW directly on a monthly basis[3]. Parents sign monthly service verification slips verifying that sessions took place.
5[3]. Application Windows and Deadlines
Under OAC 3301-101-04, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce operates two statutory application windows each calendar year:
| Application Window | Filing Dates | Award Effective Period |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Window (Full Year) | February 1 – April 30 | Entire upcoming academic year (July 1 – June 30) |
| Secondary Window (Mid-Year) | July 1 – November 15 | Second semester only (January 1 – June 30, prorated) |
Families are strongly advised to apply during the Primary Window between February 1 and April 30 to guarantee full-year funding allocations and avoid proration.
6[3]. Approved Qualifying Services vs Non-Covered Expenses
JPSN funds are strictly restricted to services directly tied to IEP goals:
Approved Services
- Speech-Language Pathology (SLP): Articulation, language processing, pragmatic speech therapy.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Fine motor coordination, sensory integration, handwriting intervention.
- Physical Therapy (PT): Gross motor development, mobility support.
- Specialized Intervention / Tutoring: Orton-Gillingham dyslexia intervention, Wilson Reading System instruction delivered by licensed intervention specialists.
- Behavioral Analysis (BCBA): Applied behavior analysis and behavioral supports.
- Private Specialized School Tuition: Tuition at registered nonpublic schools providing intensive special education.
Non-Covered Expenses
- General homeschool curriculum textbooks purchased directly by parents.
- Standard classroom supplies, laptops, tablets, or home office furniture.
- Extracurricular athletic fees or general community club dues.
- Transportation to and from therapy appointments (unless explicitly funded under specialized transport provisions).
7[3]. Balancing JPSN Participation with Ohio Homeschool Freedom
In October 2023, Ohio enacted House Bill 33, which substantially simplified Ohio homeschool law under R.C. § 3321.042:
- Parents file a simple annual letter of intent with their local superintendent by August 30.
- Mandatory 900 hours, teacher qualifications, and year-end portfolio/testing reviews were eliminated from general homeschool statute.
When participating in the JPSN program, parents maintain their homeschool independence for core academics[3]. However, to maintain scholarship eligibility:
- The resident district must conduct an annual IEP review meeting to update goals and verify ongoing special education eligibility.
- A comprehensive re-evaluation (ETR) must be conducted every three years.
- Parents must ensure attendance at scheduled therapy sessions to prevent provider service termination.
8[3]. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can parents receive JPSN funds as direct cash reimbursement?
No[3]. Ohio law strictly prohibits direct cash payments or reimbursements to parents[3]. All scholarship disbursements are paid electronically by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce directly to registered participating providers.
Does taking the JPSN scholarship forfeit a child’s right to return to public school?
No[3]. Parents can reenlist their child in the local resident public school district at any time[3]. When re-enrolling, scholarship funding terminates, and the public school assumes responsibility for implementing the IEP within the school building.
Can we use multiple providers under a single JPSN scholarship?
Yes[3]. Parents can select a primary provider (often a private school or specialized learning center) and secondary providers (such as an independent speech therapist or occupational therapist)[3]. The total combined billings cannot exceed the child’s category cap.
What happens if therapy costs exceed the category funding cap?
If the total cost of services agreed upon exceeds the maximum state category award, parents are financially responsible for paying the difference directly to the provider under the terms of their private service agreement.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational and educational purposes only, accurate to the best of our knowledge at publication[3]. It does not constitute advice[3]. We do not guarantee accuracy or completeness and accept no liability for any decisions or losses resulting from reliance on this content.
💡 Related Educational Pathways: To compare related legal frameworks and recommended study programs, explore our detailed reviews on California homeschool legal guidelines, Ohio homeschool notification regulations, Pennsylvania Act 169 requirements.
