Ohio Gains Flexibility Over $38M in Federal Funds
The U.S. Department of Education approved a waiver letting Ohio combine designated federal education dollars through 2029.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Financial Aid
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The U.S. Department of Education approved a waiver giving Ohio greater flexibility over more than $38 million in federal education funding. Ohio became the eighth state to receive a Returning Education to the States waiver.
Why it matters
The waiver lets the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce combine funds from several federal programs and simplifies some administrative requirements. The state says the goal is to reduce administrative burdens and direct more attention and resources toward student achievement.
The approval covers more than $38 million in existing federal education funds rather than new money, with Ohio ranking eighth among waiver recipients. How the combined dollars will be divided among programs has not been detailed.
The players
U.S. Department of Education
The federal agency that approved the Returning Education to the States waiver for Ohio.
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce
The state agency that will combine federal education funds under the waiver and oversee their use.
The details
Under the waiver, Ohio can combine designated state-level funds from several federal programs, and school districts gain more flexibility in spending certain federal funds meant to help English learners. The changes also simplify some administrative requirements for programs that provide direct student services, including tutoring.
Timeline
The waiver covers the combined federal funding period through 2029.
The approval was reported on November 2, 2026.
Waiver Trend
Ohio became the eighth state to receive a Returning Education to the States waiver, following the pattern of earlier approvals under the same federal program. The waiver extends the program's reach to a state seeking to consolidate federal education dollars.
Families in Ohio may see changes in how federal education dollars support tutoring and English learner programs in local schools. The simplified administrative requirements could affect how quickly districts can start or adjust these services.
The takeaway
Reducing administrative requirements can free school districts to spend federal education dollars on direct student services. Ohio's waiver shows how combining funding streams may shift focus toward local student needs.
Further reading
Explore more on Financial Aid to see how federal education dollars are distributed to states.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 93.5 FM / 1590 AM WAKR.
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