CLEVELAND — For some students, the pandemic has had a dramatic impact on their ability to learn and socialize. But now, a state-funded program is hoping to reverse those effects and get students in Ohio engaged again.

The Afterschool Child Enrichment Program (ACE) helps pay for students to take part in programs like day camp, music lessons and tutoring.

What You Need To Know

  • The Afterschool Child Enrichment Program (ACE) helps pay for students to take part in programs like day camp, music lessons and tutoring

  • Each eligible student can now receive $1000 to pay for these programs
  • Eligibility for the program has expanded 
​“Some children have been dramatically impacted [by the pandemic], both academically and socially,” said Colleen Grady, senior program officer for Educational Options and Policy at the Ohio Department of Education. 

Each eligible student can now receive $1,000 to pay for these programs. That’s double the amount it was before.

Allowable activities include before- or after-school educational programs.

Eligibility for the program has also expanded to allow more students to take part. This includes children ages 6-18 whose families make less than four times the federal poverty level. For example, the threshold for a family of three is about $100,000. 

Also new this year, families who take part in income-based programs such as Medicaid, SNAP and Ohio Works First may be eligible for the ACE program.

In addition, those who reside in districts with high rates of absenteeism may be eligible.

“Programs like ACE are really in a position to even the playing field and allow all students to have access to these enriching and academic experiences,” said Grady.

Visit aceohio.org to apply for an ACE educational savings account and browse the ACE Marketplace for service providers.