Who can get the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship in Oklahoma City?
Students from PK3 through grade 12 qualify if they have an IEP or IDEA eligibility, or fit one of OSDE's other listed groups, which include children of service members transferring to Oklahoma on permanent change of station orders.
The other routes are a DHS Individualized Service Plan, out-of-home placement with DHS or the Office of Juvenile Affairs, adoption while in DHS permanent custody, and enrollment at a school that exclusively serves students experiencing homelessness. The military route is worth knowing in a metro built around Tinker Air Force Base, because it does not depend on a disability. Families must secure a seat at an approved school first and then apply through the PCG Scholar portal, renewing every year.
How do LNH and the Parental Choice Tax Credit stack at one school?
OSDE's guidance is that LNH is applied first and the Parental Choice Tax Credit then pays remaining tuition and fees, with the school reporting tuition net of LNH on the enrollment verification.
If the credit turns out larger than what is left after LNH, the Tax Commission recaptures the difference, so the two can never add up to more than the school charges. The LNH amount comes from a formula: the year's state aid factors multiplied by the grade and disability weights the student generates, or the school's tuition and fees if lower, minus up to 2.5% that OSDE keeps for administration. That is why no one can quote a single LNH figure for every child. The tax credit is simpler: up to $5,000 to $7,500 depending on household income.
LNH vs the tax credit: what is different?
LNH is a disability-focused scholarship paid as a warrant to the parent and mailed to an approved school, while the tax credit is a refundable income tax credit for any income level that is paid as a check to any accredited, registered school.
| Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship | Parental Choice Tax Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Oklahoma State Department of Education | Oklahoma Tax Commission |
| Who qualifies | IEP/IDEA eligibility and listed groups, PK3-12 | Any eligible Oklahoma student, pre-K at age 4 through 12 |
| Amount | State aid formula, capped at tuition and fees | $5,000-$7,500 by income, capped at tuition and fees |
| Pays for services? | Yes: tutoring, therapies, aides tied to the disability | No: tuition and school fees only |
| Application | PCG Scholar; OSDE lists December 1 for the current year | OkTAP, March 15 to June 15 |
LNH is not a guarantee of services. OSDE says it is not responsible for extra special education costs a private school incurs beyond the scholarship, so each school decides what support it can offer.
Which metro schools are approved for LNH?
OSDE's approved list dated September 24, 2026 includes 57 schools in the three counties, ranging from preschool programs to K-12 campuses.
| Area | LNH-approved schools | Of those, serving grade 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Edmond | 10 | 3 |
| North OKC, Nichols Hills & Quail Springs | 6 | 3 |
| Midtown, Uptown & Northeast OKC | 8 | 4 |
| Warr Acres, Bethany & Northwest OKC | 7 | 2 |
| South OKC & Capitol Hill | 4 | 1 |
| Southwest OKC & Moore | 5 | 2 |
| Norman | 6 | 2 |
| Midwest City, Del City & the Tinker Corridor | 6 | 4 |
| Yukon, Mustang & El Reno | 5 | 0 |
Grade spans on the LNH list sometimes differ from the federal survey; we show the LNH grades on each school page. Browse them all on the LNH-approved schools page.
What should you ask before enrolling with LNH?
Ask for a written description of the supports the school will provide, whether tutoring, therapy or aide services are billed through LNH, and how the school records LNH on its tax credit enrollment verification.
Approved schools file an itemized annual statement for each LNH student and quarterly invoices with detailed daily attendance, and any contract for tutoring, therapy or an aide goes with the statement. A school that handles this well can explain it in a few minutes. The December 1 date OSDE lists applies to the current school year; OSDE's guidance also mentions August 1, so confirm with the LNH office at (405) 521-2372. Our special needs guide has more, and the coverage table shows exactly what each program pays for.
Frequently asked questions
Who can get the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship in Oklahoma City?
Students from PK3 through grade 12 qualify if they have an IEP or IDEA eligibility, or fit one of OSDE's other listed groups, which include children of service members transferring to Oklahoma on permanent change of station orders.
How do LNH and the Parental Choice Tax Credit stack at one school?
OSDE's guidance is that LNH is applied first and the Parental Choice Tax Credit then pays remaining tuition and fees, with the school reporting tuition net of LNH on the enrollment verification.
LNH vs the tax credit: what is different?
LNH is a disability-focused scholarship paid as a warrant to the parent and mailed to an approved school, while the tax credit is a refundable income tax credit for any income level that is paid as a check to any accredited, registered school.
Which metro schools are approved for LNH?
OSDE's approved list dated September 24, 2026 includes 57 schools in the three counties, ranging from preschool programs to K-12 campuses.
What should you ask before enrolling with LNH?
Ask for a written description of the supports the school will provide, whether tutoring, therapy or aide services are billed through LNH, and how the school records LNH on its tax credit enrollment verification.
Related questions
- Who qualifies for the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship?
- What does each Oklahoma program pay for?
- Which metro schools are LNH approved?
- How much is the tax credit for my income?