3301-101-04. Application for a scholarship

(A) The start date of the scholarship shall be based on the date the scholarship application is fully completed and submitted or IEP start date, whichever is later, for the program period for which the student is applying.

(B) An applicant seeking a scholarship for a student who is not currently receiving a scholarship shall complete and submit an application for the scholarship, along with all information and forms determined by the department to be necessary to determine eligibility and make scholarship award determinations. The information may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) Information and documentation required to identify the student;

(2) Information and documentation required to identify and contact the student's parent(s) or guardian(s);

(3) Information and documentation required to determine program eligibility, including, but not limited to, the student's residential address, district of residence, district or school in which the student is currently enrolled, if not the district of residence, and the current IEP;

(4) Information and documentation related to the alternative public provider(s) or registered private provider(s) that have accepted the student for enrollment;

(5) Information and documentation related to the nonpublic school or other entity that will provide the child with an educational program that meets the minimum standards of the state board of education prescribed in Chapter 3301-34 or 3301-35 of the Administrative Code, if the educational program will be provided by an entity other than one of the alternative public providers or registered private providers;

(6) Information and documentation related to the determination of the correct scholarship amount, including, but not limited to, a copy of the evaluation team report or other documentation related to disability category, and the fee schedules of all providers;

(7) A signed written consent that permits the school district of residence and/or the school district in which the child is entitled to attend school to release information or records to the department that are relevant to the application.

(C) An applicant seeking a scholarship for the year subsequent to a year in which a scholarship was received may be required to complete an application in the manner established by the department and provide the information and documentation that the department determines is necessary for the effective implementation of the program.

(D) In submitting an application for a scholarship, the applicant shall attest to the following:

(1) That the information provided on the application is true and correct;

(2) That the applicant has received the profile of the Registered Private Provider's special education program required by division (B) of section 3310.521 of the Revised Code and rule 3301-101-09 of the Administrative Code;

(3) That the applicant has received the comparison document required by section 3323.052 of the Revised Code;

(4) That the applicant understands that by accepting and receiving the scholarship and the FAPE comparison document, the applicant agrees to comply with the provisions of sections 3310.51 to 3310.64 of the Revised Code and the provisions of the rules in this chapter;

(5) That the applicant understands that acceptance of a scholarship relieves the school district of residence and the school district in which the student is entitled to attend school, if different, of the obligation to provide the child with FAPE;

(6) That the provider and the department shall be informed immediately of any change in the student's residential address;

(7) That the student shall not be eligible to receive scholarships in subsequent years if the student fails to take each state test or alternate assessment prescribed for the student's grade level under section 3301.0710 or 3301.0712 of the Revised Code, unless exempted under 3301.0711 of the Revised Code;

(8) That only one application for the student has been submitted;

(9) That the applicant agrees to abide by the dispute resolution process described in rule 3301-101-12 of the Administrative Code;

(10) That the scholarship amount shall only be applied to the tuition and fees of the enrolling provider and that the applicant understands that he or she shall be required to pay tuition and fees that exceed the amount of the scholarship, and other fees and costs as prescribed by the policies of the provider; and

(11) Any other representations prescribed by the department determined to be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the program and compliance with Chapter 3310. of the Revised Code.

(E) Application for program participation shall be made on forms or through electronic means as prescribed by the department. Applicants may designate, in writing, another entity to submit the application on behalf of the applicant. Such designation may be made only to registered providers or alternative public providers.

Effective: 3/28/2019
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 1/11/2019 and 03/28/2024
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3301.07, 3310.64
Rule Amplifies: 3310.51, 3310.52, 3310.521, 3310.522, 3310.53, 3310.54, 3310.55, 3310.56, 3310.57, 3310.58, 3310.59, 3310.60, 3310.61, 3310.62, 3310.63
Prior Effective Dates: 02/24/2012