Last verified: October 2026
How does EdChoice Expansion shrink as a Cincinnati family's income rises?
It holds at the maximum through 450% of the poverty guideline, then halves for each further 100 points, never falling below 10% of the maximum. For a household of four that means the full $6,166 K-8 award up to $148,500, $3,083.00 at 550% ($181,500) and $1,541.50 at 650% ($214,500).
What income gets a family the smallest Expansion award?
About $258,000 for a household of four, a little over 782% of poverty. From there up, every applicant with verified income still receives the minimum: $616.60 for a K-8 student or $840.80 for grades 9-12.
| Income as % of poverty | Household of 4 | Household of 3 | K-8 award | 9-12 award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 450% | $148,500 | $122,940 | $6,166.00 | $8,408.00 |
| 475% | $156,750 | $129,770 | $5,184.97 | $7,070.26 |
| 500% | $165,000 | $136,600 | $4,360.02 | $5,945.35 |
| 525% | $173,250 | $143,430 | $3,666.33 | $4,999.43 |
| 550% | $181,500 | $150,260 | $3,083.00 | $4,204.00 |
| 600% | $198,000 | $163,920 | $2,180.01 | $2,972.68 |
| 650% | $214,500 | $177,580 | $1,541.50 | $2,102.00 |
| 700% | $231,000 | $191,240 | $1,090.01 | $1,486.34 |
| 750% | $247,500 | $204,900 | $770.75 | $1,051.00 |
| 800% | $264,000 | $218,560 | $616.60 | $840.80 |
Method: DEW FY27 Expansion workbook inputs (base amounts $6,166 and $8,408, halving factor 0.5, minimum 10%) applied to DEW's 2026-2027 poverty table. Income columns are the household income at each percentage.
| What it is | What it isn't |
|---|---|
| Adjusted gross income from Form 1040 line 11 | Take-home pay or a single paycheck |
| Measured against the poverty guideline for your household size | One dollar cutoff for every family |
| Submitted once for Expansion, or again if income or household changes | Required each year unless you want low-income status |