SCHOLARSHIP INFO
Your child belongs here, and we’re here to help make it happen!
Through our private scholarship program, we offer need-based scholarships to help make tuition affordable for everyone.
Once a student is accepted for enrollment, families may apply for scholarships through our online scholarship platform.
Awards are determined on a sliding scale based on financial need, with a maximum scholarship of 60% of tuition available for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade. For preschool students, scholarships of $250 or $500 are available.
Want to partner with us to make Christian education accessible for all families?
Option 1:
Donate to our scholarship fund by
Clicking Here
OR
Option 2:
Get an immediate tax credit for your donation if you live in Ohio!
We are blessed here in Ohio with a way that you can receive an immediate tax credit this year AND help Canton Christian School!
When you donate through the Ohio Christian Education Network’s scholarship granting organization (referred to as the “SGO”), you get your money back as an Ohio state tax credit. You can donate any time between now and April 15, 2026 to apply the tax credit to your 2025 tax filing!
It's easy! Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1:
Prepare your 2025 individual tax return just as you (or your accountant!) normally would, but do not finalize/file it yet.
Step 2:
Review Line 13 on your Ohio return (total Ohio tax liability). If this line is greater than $0, you should be able to take advantage of this state tax credit opportunity.
Step 3:
Take the lesser of
a) Line 13 (Step 2 above)
or
b) $1,500 if Married Filing Jointly ($750 if filing as Single).
Step 4:
CLICK HERE to go to our SGO donation page and donate the amount determined in Step 3. You’ll receive an immediate donation receipt to file with your tax return.
Step 5:
Go back to your Ohio state tax return and update it to take a state tax credit for a donation to an SGO in the amount you donated. Your tax liability will then be reduced by that amount. Add a copy of your donation receipt and you're finished- It's that easy! If you are then due a refund, you will receive a refund in just a few weeks.
OCEN SGO FAQ
What if I would like to give more than $750?
You may do so! In that case, the first $750 will be granted a $750 state tax credit, and the amount of the gift beyond the initial $750 may be claimed as a federal and state tax deduction. Consult with your tax specialist to review your specific tax situation. In the meantime, find more information at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions.
How does the tax credit work?
Your OCEN SGO donation can be claimed when you file your Ohio taxes. Gifts made through April 15th can be retroactively applied to the previous year’s taxes. The credit is a dollar-to-dollar reduction in your state tax liability up to $750 per taxpayer. A married couple filing jointly can claim a credit of up to $1,500. To receive the full tax credit, you must have an Ohio tax liability equal to or greater than the amount of the credit.
May I designate my gift to fund scholarships at a specific school?
Yes, you may select at which participating school(s) you would like your gift to fund a scholarship. When donating, select Canton Christian School in the dropdown list of schools, and your generous gift will fund a scholarship at our school.
When do recipients receive their scholarships?
OCEN will announce award recipients on April 10th for the first application window and July 15th for the second. These scholarships are applied to the 2025-2026 school year. These awards will go to the students’ accounts at their schools by the beginning of the fall term.
Can my spouse and I receive separate tax credits if we joint file our taxes?
Yes. The tax credit is on a per-individual taxpayer basis. Married couples can receive two separate $750-deductions, totaling $1,500. To receive the maximum credit, spouses must list both of their names on the donation form so that a gift over $750 can be split between them.
When is the donation deadline?
OCEN will accept donations year-round.
Is OCEN SGO certified by the state of Ohio as an approved SGO?
Yes, OCEN SGO is certified by the Ohio Attorney General. You may view the list of certified SGOs at https://charitable.ohioago.gov/Scholarship-Granting-Organization-Certification/List.
How much do I owe in state tax?
- Anyone whose taxable income is over $44,250 owes a minimum of $878.42 in state tax. A $750 donation to an SGO would reduce this amount to $128.42. That means $750 of tax money to a scholarship to help a student receive a quality Christian education and $128.42 remains for the state. You can use the chart below from the Ohio Department of Taxation to determine your tax liability if you know your Ohio Taxable Income amount.
- Taxable state income can be found on page 2 of your state income tax return (Ohio IT 1040) line 13.
- The Ohio Legislature has recently condensed Ohio tax brackets into two. Couples with combined salaries over $54,000 should qualify for $1500 in tax liability.
