Interested in Padua? Padua Admissions Information
ALL Padua students are now eligible for the EdChoice Expansion state scholarship, regardless of income!
How to Apply for a State Scholarship (Cleveland, EdChoice, EdChoice Expansion)
STEP 1: Complete the forms below and drop of paperwork to Padua, or email to email kgardner@paduafranciscan.net no later than March 6th by 3 p.m.
RENEWING scholarship
NEW to scholarship
- Please print appropriate form from above (Renewal or Request), complete and do not leave any blank spaces.
- Make sure the student name on the form exactly matches birth certificate
- Sign the application form
- Copy of Birth Certificate of student (New to a State Scholarship only)
- Bring a copy of your Utility bill (gas, water, electric)
- You must have BOTH the TOP and BOTTOM portion of the bill (that is typically torn off) still attached.
- Utility Bill Example (If utilities are not in parent’s name, see “Address Verification” section on Request Form)
- NOTE: Columbia Gas bills require both pages
- NO CELL PHONE/INTERNET BILLS
Katie Gardner, the State Scholarships Coordinator at Padua, will submit the EdChoice Expansion application documents on your behalf.
STEP 2: ***TO BE COMPLETED AFTER YOU RECEIVE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL LETTER***
EdChoice Applicants ONLY – Complete Income Verification using the ONLINE portal.
Income Verification Submission
**Padua is not responsible for this portion of the application.**
IMPORTANT→ Income Verification only needs to be completed for the 2024-2025 school year if you meet any of the following criteria:
- NEW student to the EdChoice Expansion Scholarship
- Poverty level at or below 200%
- Desire to change your assigned poverty level from last year
On your own, you will need to submit income verification with supporting documentation. Use this website to create an account and submit income verification. If the reviewers need more information, the EdChoice Office will reach out to you via email once they review it.
If you are having trouble accessing the Income Verification App after setting up your OH ID account, try this workaround link.
Income Verification Documents
- Income Verification Worksheet 2024-2025
- OH ID and Profile Set Up
- Quick Guide Income Verification Portal 2023-24
- Income Verification Helpful Tips
When will I hear if I have been awarded the scholarship? What is the timeline?
The What happens next EdChoice document will give details about what to expect. Once you receive your conditional approval letter, you can log in to your OH ID account and click on Scholarship to see the status of the student’s application.
**Award Letters and Acceptance Forms from the state will be mailed in mid-July.
State of Ohio EdChoice Documents
See the charts below for the 2023-2024 Income Eligibility Requirements for EdChoice Expansion (updated chart for 2024-2025 coming as soon as its available):
Frequently Asked Questions
2. What if a family has already applied for an Traditional EdChoice, Cleveland, or Jon Peterson Scholarship in the past? You need to complete a Renewal Form and submit proof of address every year in order to renew your scholarship. Income Verification only needs to be completed if income has decreased, or poverty level is below 200%.
3. What happens to my current financial aid from Padua? Once the Ohio Department of Education notifies us of awards, the Financial Aid Committee may review and modify students’ financial aid awards accordingly.
4. Can I get more than one state scholarship? No, you are only permitted to apply for and receive one state scholarship.
5. What if my student receives the Jon Peterson Scholarship? You will still apply for the Jon Peterson Scholarship. The EdChoice amount of $8,408 (as of the 2023-2024 school year) will be applied towards your tuition.
6. If I qualify for both (Traditional and Expansion), how do I know which one to apply for? Traditional EdChoice is no longer the default program if a family qualifies for both programs. A family can choose which program they want to participate in.
7. Who do I contact regarding tuition payments? The Padua Business Office can be reached at 440.845.2444.
Income Verification FAQ
1. Do I need to have my income verified every year when I renew my child’s scholarship? If you have a low-income designation (200% or below), then YES, you must complete income verification every year. If you do NOT have a low-come designation, you only need to complete income verification if your income has decreased. The percentage determined the first year that the Expansion Scholarship is awarded will carry over each year. If you apply for a new income percentage, that new percentage will then carry over going forward. If your income has not changed, you do NOT need to complete income verification each year that the scholarship is renewed.
2. How do I get my income verified? You need to complete the steps listed on this web page. Padua does not do this part for you. You must do this on your own.
3. Do I need to complete income verification for each child? No. Income verification includes the whole family as long as you list all children in the income verification portal.
4. I have a household member that is 18+ years old. The income verification portal will not allow me to add them since they are no longer a student. What should I do? The EdChoice Office has recommended that these household members be entered as a comment in the primary parent’s income section. We suggest entering the additional household member’s name and birthdate and status (ex. college student). Any additional information about this household member is also helpful. The adult child must be claimed as a dependent; you also must provide page one of the income tax return to verify that child is still a dependent. Under the documents box (1st green) in the Household Members line. Please click the notes “bubble” and add the note “18 – 21 Year old ON FORM PLEASE ADD as family member!” The reviewer can then add them. You can do this even while in Submitted Status.
5. I’m having trouble setting up my OH ID account (Ex. student names not showing up, blank pages, error messages, missing apps on MyApps page). What should I do?
If you are having trouble accessing the Income Verification App after setting up your OH ID account, try this workaround link.
Read through the OHID and profile set up document and the Income Verification Quick Guide linked on this page. Also, we have been informed that the website has a lot of glitches right now due to the amount of people trying to access the site. Know that you CAN continue working on income verification, even after you turn in your paper application. Just keep checking back with the website, and it should clear itself up.
6. I have already completed income verification for the ACE program. Do I have to complete that step again? Yes. Parents must currently submit their income verification through both the Income-Verification app and the ACE app.
7. I am divorced and have a shared payment plan with the other parent. Should both parents file income verification separately? No. The primary parent is who the child resides with (or is the residential parent for school purposes). The primary parent completes the application, and submits their income online.
For more information please refer to the EdChoice website.
State Scholarship Contact
Katie Gardner ’04
State Scholarship Coordinator
Phone: 440-845-2444 x121 or cell 330-485-3332
kgardner@paduafranciscan.net