Paying for private school in metro OKC: every source
11 programs and sources an Oklahoma City-area household can draw on for private, church, independent, homeschool and pre-K schooling, with who qualifies, what each pays and the dates that matter.
Last verified: October 2026. Program rules change; confirm with the agency named on each page.
Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC)
Oklahoma's universal private school program: a refundable tax credit of $5,000 to $7,500 per student, set by household income, paid by the Tax Commission as a check sent to an accredited private school.
Who qualifies →Special needs · PK3-12Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (LNH)
Oklahoma's scholarship for students with an IEP or other disability eligibility, plus several other groups such as military families arriving on PCS orders. It pays an OSDE-approved private school and can sit alongside the tax credit.
Who qualifies →Homeschool · Up to $1,000Oklahoma Homeschool Tax Credit
A refundable Oklahoma income tax credit of up to $1,000 per homeschooled student for curriculum, tutoring, online courses and test fees, claimed on the family's state return.
Who qualifies →Donor-funded scholarshipsTax-Credit Scholarships (Oklahoma SGOs)
Nonprofit scholarship granting organizations registered with the Tax Commission raise donations, give donors a 50% or 75% state credit, and award private school scholarships. Two publish their work with metro schools.
Who qualifies →New · Jan 2027Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (2027)
Oklahoma has opted into the new federal scholarship tax credit that begins January 1, 2027, giving donors a dollar-for-dollar federal credit of up to $1,700 for cash gifts to listed SGOs.
Who qualifies →Free · Age 4 by Sept 1Oklahoma Pre-K for 4-Year-Olds
Oklahoma's voluntary public pre-K is open to every child who is 4 on or before September 1, in full-day or half-day programs. Private pre-K at an accredited school can instead be paid with the tax credit.
Who qualifies →Income-based · Under 13OKDHS Child Care Subsidy
Oklahoma Human Services helps working families pay for licensed child care. Entry eligibility moves to 55% of state median income on February 1, 2027, and renewing families can stay eligible up to 70%.
Who qualifies →Catholic schoolsCatholic School Tuition Aid (Archdiocese of Oklahoma City)
The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City's schools combine flat-rate tuition, the Parental Choice Tax Credit, LNH for eligible students, the Catholic Schools Opportunity Fund and parish or school grants.
Who qualifies →Juniors & seniorsConcurrent Enrollment (College Credit in High School)
Oklahoma juniors and seniors who meet a college's admission standards can take college courses while in high school, with tuition waivers of up to 18 hours for seniors and 9 for juniors, subject to funding.
Who qualifies →At the schoolSchool-Based Tuition Assistance
Need-based grants, sibling discounts and payment plans at the school itself, usually the layer that covers what the tax credit leaves.
Who qualifies →Partner fundEdu Fund Partner Scholarship
A privately funded award available through participating partner church and community schools, meant to narrow the balance some families still face once the tax credit and school aid are applied.
Who qualifies →How do Oklahoma's programs compare?
| Program | What it is | Who | Amount | How it is paid | What it is not |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC) | Refundable state income tax credit | Oklahoma students age 4 (pre-K) through grade 12 at an accredited private school; no income ceiling | $5,000-$7,500 per student by household income, capped at tuition and fees | State check mailed to the school, endorsed by the parent | Not a voucher, not an ESA, and not money you can spend on outside services |
| Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (LNH) | State scholarship for students with disabilities and certain other groups | PK3-12 students with an IEP or IDEA eligibility, plus military PCS, foster, adopted, OJA and homeless-school students | Formula based on state aid factors and grade/disability weights, capped at tuition and fees | Warrant to the parent mailed to the school | Not available at schools OSDE has not approved |
| Homeschool tax credit | Refundable state income tax credit | Students educated at home under Oklahoma's other-means-of-education exception | Up to $1,000 per student | Claimed on your Oklahoma income tax return | Not a credit for private school tuition |
| Tax-credit scholarships (SGO) | Private scholarship funded by donors who get a state credit | Set by each scholarship granting organization, often lower-income families | Varies by organization | Paid by the organization, usually to the school | Not an entitlement; awards depend on donations |
Which school funding dates are coming up?
- Dec 1, 2026Date OSDE lists for Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) scholarship applications for the 2026-27 school year; later applications roll to the next year. OSDE guidance also mentions an August 1 date, so confirm with the LNH office.
- Dec 15, 2026Scholarship granting organizations must file the Oklahoma Tax Commission's updated SGO application to take part in tax year 2027, for both the state program and the federal credit.
- Dec 31, 2026Last day for families already approved for the 2026-27 Parental Choice Tax Credit to submit school changes or tuition adjustments.
- Jan 1, 2027The federal Scholarship Tax Credit (IRC 25F) takes effect. Oklahoma has opted in, and gifts in 2027 are claimed on 2027 federal returns.
- Feb 1, 2027OKDHS child care subsidy entry eligibility moves to 55% of state median income; families renewing can stay eligible up to 70%.
- Mar 15, 2027The 2027-28 Parental Choice Tax Credit application opens at 9 a.m. on OkTAP. The 60-day priority period starts the same morning.
- Mid-May 2027The 60-day priority period ends. After it, remaining applications are processed in the order received while money remains under the cap.
- Jun 15, 2027The 2027-28 Parental Choice Tax Credit application closes at 11:59 p.m. The OTC says it will accept no late submissions.
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