Last verified: October 2026. Program rules change; confirm with the agency named on each page.
What should an Oklahoma City family apply for first?
Start with the Parental Choice Tax Credit, because its window is fixed (March 15 to June 15) and its amount is set by your income tier. Get the school's Enrollment Verification Number early, since you cannot apply without it.
What comes after the tax credit?
School-based aid comes next, followed by a tax-credit scholarship from an organization such as the Catholic Schools Opportunity Fund or the Opportunity Scholarship Fund. Remember that aid the school records as a discount lowers the tuition the credit can cover.
Is there extra help for a student with an IEP?
Yes. The Lindsey Nicole Henry scholarship is applied before the tax credit at an OSDE-approved school, and it can also pay for therapies, tutoring or an aide the school provides.
What about preschool and younger siblings?
Public pre-K is free for 4-year-olds, the tax credit covers private pre-K from age 4, and OKDHS child care subsidy can help with younger children for families under its income limit.
How do I see my own numbers?
Use the credit calculator for a per-child estimate, then take the two-minute funding check so an advisor can add the sources that fit your school and timing.
How do the options 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 |
What should I do next?
Take the two-minute funding check, and a tuition counselor will line up your credit tier, any LNH eligibility and the dates that apply.