Scholarship Programs

Ohio Autism Scholarship Program and Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program 

Many children make progress in a public preschool setting. However, because many doctors – and research supports – that children should receive 10 – 25 hours a week of intensive, one-on-one educational intervention, the state of Ohio offers an alternative. The Autism Scholarship Program (ASP) allows parents with a student who qualifies under the special education identification of Autism, the ability to opt out of public education services and receive funding to place their child in a program run by a privately registered provider, i.e., a specialized, private school for children with Autism. The program empowers parents in choosing the best educational setting for their children with Autism, allowing them to access specialized services and programs that meet their unique needs and contribute to their educational success. ASP provides financial assistance to eligible families, helping them afford educational options that may better address the specific challenges associated with Autism.   

In addition, the state of Ohio sponsors the Jon Peterson Special Needs (JPSN) Scholarship Program, a program that provides scholarships to families with students with disabilities the choice to send their child to a special education program other than the one operated by their school district of residence to receive the education and the services outlined in their IEP.   A family may apply for only one scholarship per year. 

More information about the ASP and the JPSN scholarships may be found on the Ohio Department of Education39 website.  But do not hesitate to contact the Autism Society of Greater Akron for an explanation of the programs or to find approved providers who accept the ASP and the JPSN in your area.