COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thousands of children attending under-performing public schools are now eligible for vouchers that would allow them to attend private schools for less.

It is called the Educational Choice Scholarship Program.

The vouchers that are worth $4,300 for grade school students and $5,300 for high school students would help parents pay for private-school tuition.

At this time, the state’s voucher program has funding available for nearly 80,000 Ohio students.

The deadline to apply is April 17.