Ohio Gains Flexibility Over $38 Million in Funds

School districts and families in Ohio may see more flexible use of federal education dollars for English learners and tutoring through 2029.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Financial Aid

Ohio Gains Flexibility Over $38 Million in Funds

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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 through 2029. Ohio became the eighth state to receive a Returning Education to the States waiver.

Why it matters

The waiver lets Ohio combine designated state-level funds from several federal programs, which the state says will reduce administrative burdens and direct more attention toward student achievement. The approval does not represent $38 million in new education funding.

The waiver covers more than $38 million in federal education funding through 2029, and it does not add new money to Ohio's education budget. Certain federal dollars for English learners and direct student services such as tutoring now carry simpler administrative requirements.

The players

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency that oversees federal student aid, education funding programs, and the Returning Education to the States waivers.

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce

The state agency that administers K-12 education and workforce programs in Ohio and now manages the combined federal funds under the waiver.

The details

Under the waiver, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce can combine designated state-level funds from several federal programs that were previously tied to specific programs and administrative requirements. School districts gain more flexibility in spending certain federal funds intended to help English learners. The waiver also simplifies administrative requirements for programs that provide direct student services, including tutoring.

Waiver approved November 2, 2026, with combined funding authority running through 2029.

Education Landscape

Ohio becomes the eighth state to receive a Returning Education to the States waiver, which allows states to pool federal education dollars rather than track each one to a separate program. The approval reflects a continuing federal shift toward giving states more control over how education funds are spent.

Families of English learners and students who receive tutoring through federally funded programs in Ohio may see changes in how services are organized over the coming years. Parents with questions about specific services should contact their local school district's administration.

The takeaway

The waiver changes how federal dollars are organized in Ohio but does not add new funding, so the practical effect depends on how districts use their added flexibility. Parents and students who want to know how these changes affect a particular program should ask their school district or the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.