Last verified: October 2026. Program rules change; confirm with the agency named on each page.
Who qualifies for the Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship in Oklahoma?
A student from PK3 through grade 12 qualifies by meeting at least one of OSDE's listed criteria, the most common being an IEP or a finding of eligibility for special education under IDEA.
The other routes are an Individualized Service Plan written by DHS, being the child of a service member who transfers to an Oklahoma school on permanent change of station orders, having been in DHS or Office of Juvenile Affairs out-of-home placement, having been adopted while in DHS permanent custody, or enrolling in a school that serves only students experiencing homelessness. The military route matters in a metro built around Tinker Air Force Base.
How is the LNH scholarship amount calculated?
OSDE sets the maximum by multiplying the year's state aid factors by the grade and disability weights the student generates, then pays that or the school's tuition and fees, whichever is less.
Up to 2.5% of the amount is retained by OSDE as an administrative fee. Students who qualify through DHS or OJA placement are calculated on their grade weight and other factors that apply to them. Because the result depends on the individual student, this site does not quote a single dollar figure. Payment comes as a warrant made out to the parent and mailed to the school, which the parent must restrictively endorse to the school.
Can a family use LNH and the Parental Choice Tax Credit together?
Yes. OSDE's guidance says LNH is applied first and the Parental Choice Tax Credit then covers remaining tuition and fees, with the school reporting tuition after the LNH amount on the enrollment verification.
If the tax credit ends up larger than what is left after LNH, the Tax Commission recaptures the overpayment. LNH is also broader than the credit: it can pay for tutoring, therapies, one-on-one aides and graded activities such as music or sports offered through the school.
How do you apply for LNH for 2026-27?
Secure a seat at an approved private school first, then submit the application and documents through the PCG Scholar portal; OSDE lists December 1 of the school year as the application date.
Applications that arrive later are considered for the following year, and every student must renew annually. OSDE's guidance section also mentions an August 1 date, so confirm the current deadline with the LNH office at (405) 521-2372. The September 24, 2026 approved-school list includes 57 schools in the three metro counties.
How does the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship compare with other Oklahoma programs?
| 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 |