Q: Is the Choice Scholarship required to enroll in OpenEd Indiana?
A: Yes. All students enrolling in OpenEd Indiana for the 2025–26 school year must be approved for the Indiana Choice Scholarship.
Q: How does the funding work?
A: OpenEd is a program offered in partnership with The American Academy, an Indiana private school, eligible for the Indiana Choice Scholarship. There is no cost to families for participation.
Q: How do I know if my family qualifies?
A: Eligibility is based on your household size and income. You can view the current income guidelines here. If you're unsure, our team can help you assess your eligibility.
Q: What documents do I need to apply?
A: You’ll need:
2024 IRS Form 1040 (line 11) for each household member who filed
Certified birth certificate (or equivalent)
Proof of Indiana residency
IEP (if applicable)
If you don’t have a tax return or birth certificate, alternate documents are accepted—see our Choice Scholarship page overview for details.
Q: Can I redact information from my 1040 before uploading the document?
A: Yes. When submitting your Federal Tax form 1040, the personal information and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) listed on line 11 are used to determine eligibility. If you choose to redact any information (such as social security numbers, bank account or refund-related information) you must ensure that the AGI and other relevant income details, along with identifying information, remain unaltered and legible.
Q: Do I have to upload my entire 1040?
A: No! The 1040 only needs to include the page with line #11 (AGI) and any pages that have additional household members list.
Q: Is my personal information secure?
A: Yes. At OpenEd, protecting your family’s information is one of our highest priorities. We use the same level of security trusted by banks and healthcare providers to keep your data private and secure.
Q: What if I haven’t filed my 2024 taxes yet?
A: If your tax return isn’t ready, you can complete a Household Summary Form instead. This will allow us to begin processing your application.
Q: Do I have to reapply for the Choice Scholarship every year?
A: Yes, but the income verification step will be removed for the 26-27 school year!
Q: How long does the approval process take?
A: Once all required documents are submitted, approval can take a couple of weeks. We’ll notify you as soon as your student is approved and we'll do our best to get you an answer quickly.
Q: Who can I contact if I need help?
A: Email [email protected] or use the chat icon in the bottom right corner.