Program Overview
The ACE (Afterschool Child Enrichment) Educational Savings Account program provides qualifying families with a $500 credit that can be used to pay for a variety of enrichment activities that will accelerate learning for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be used for:
- Before- or after-school educational programs;
- Day camps, including camps for academics, music and arts;
- Fees for learning extension centers;
- The purchase of curriculum and material for home-school families;
- Educational, learning or study skills services;
- Field trips to historical landmarks, museums, science centers and theaters – including admission, exhibit and program fees;
- Language classes;
- Musical instrument lessons;
- Tutoring.
Which Students Qualify?
The ACE Educational Savings Account program is available to any student between the ages of 6 and 18 years old whose family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. Qualifying children include those who attend any Ohio public or nonpublic school or are home educated by their parents and have been excused from the compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home instruction. An eligible student can be enrolled in a public or nonpublic school or has been excused from compulsory attendance law for the purpose of home instruction.
ArtsConnect is a qualified service provider in the ACE program. Families approved will register for the class, as usual. The tuition is reimbursed to the parent or guardian by the State of Ohio upon verification of enrollment and participation by ArtsConnect.
LINK to parent/guardian registration HERE: https://education.ohio.gov/OhioAce
The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program provides funds to a student’s parent or guardian to use on various enrichment and educational activities. The program is being
offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Ohio Department of Education.
Here’s how it works for parents, guardians, students and service providers.
STEP 1:
Submit Income Verification
Follow along the Applicant User Manual for a step-by-step walkthrough on income verification. This involves creating an OH|ID account, setting up an Ohio Department of Education profile, requesting access to the Income Verification application and how to apply for the ACE Savings Account.
STEP 2:
Sign Up with Merit
After Income Verification is complete (this entire process may take up to two weeks), qualifying parents and guardians will receive an email from Merit notifying them to sign up to receive access to their account funds. The email also will include a link to the Education Marketplace.
STEP 3:
Spend ACE Funds with Qualified Education Service Providers
Parents and guardians will be able to access the Education Marketplace to find providers in their areas after income verification has been established and sign-up with Merit on ACEOhio.org is complete.
