Ohio Spends Over $1 Billion on School Vouchers
State voucher programs face uncertainty following a recent appellate court ruling declaring the EdChoice system unconstitutional.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Financial Aid
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Ohio invested $1.173 billion into five private school voucher programs during fiscal year 2026. This spending comes alongside an October 22, 2026, appellate court ruling that found the state's EdChoice program to be unconstitutional.
Why it matters
The legal challenge creates significant fiscal and administrative uncertainty for a state that has operated near-universal school vouchers for three years. The attorney general intends to take the case to the Ohio Supreme Court to defend the voucher initiatives.
The EdChoice Expansion program utilized $532.8 million of the total funding, with scholarships set at $6,166 for K-8 students and $8,408 for high schoolers. Nonpublic school enrollment across the state reached 185,584 students during the 2026 fiscal year.
The players
Ohio Attorney General
The state's top legal officer serves as the chief law enforcement official and is tasked with representing the state in high-level litigation.
Ohio Supreme Court
This body acts as the court of last resort for the state of Ohio and is expected to hear the upcoming appeal regarding the constitutionality of the voucher program.
The details
Lawmakers previously expanded eligibility for the Education Choice Expansion to families at 450% of the poverty line through the state budget. The state currently manages five distinct scholarship initiatives, including the Cleveland and Autism programs, while over 105,000 students received EdChoice Expansion scholarships this year.
Timeline
2021: Ohio added party labels to Supreme Court races.
2025-26 school year: Public school enrollment reached 1,629,346 students.
Fiscal year 2026: Ohio spent $1.173 billion on private school vouchers.
October 22, 2026: An appellate court ruled the EdChoice program unconstitutional.
Culture Shift
The legal challenge to the EdChoice voucher program reflects a broader national shift where state-funded private education initiatives face increasing scrutiny from judiciary branches. This move toward school choice represents a major departure from legacy funding models that historically prioritized exclusive public school support.
Families currently utilizing the $5,114 average scholarship amount for private tuition may face uncertainty regarding future funding availability. Residents should monitor the state supreme court docket for developments that could directly influence private school enrollment and tuition assistance.
The takeaway
The appellate ruling places the future of state-funded tuition assistance in limbo for thousands of families across the state. Families relying on these scholarships should explore contingency plans for tuition coverage while the high court considers the constitutional arguments.
What happens next
The state attorney general is expected to file an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court regarding the appellate court ruling.
Further reading
For more information on state funding programs, see Financial Aid in Ohio.
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