Last verified: October 2026. Agencies revise these programs every year, so confirm details with the office named in each section.
Can Tulsa donors use the new federal scholarship tax credit?
Yes, starting with gifts made in 2027: the Tax Commission's SGO page says Oklahoma has opted into the program under Section 25F of the Internal Revenue Code, and the credit first applies to the 2027 tax year, claimed on returns filed in 2028.
The federal credit equals the donation up to $1,700 per taxpayer per year and is open to individuals, not businesses. It is reduced by any state credit taken for the same gift, so a donor can't collect both in full on one contribution.
What should a Tulsa parent watch for?
Watch for SGOs on the Tax Commission's federal list, because only organizations that applied by December 15, 2026 and were approved can offer federally credited scholarships in 2027.
The Commission says approved organizations will be posted on its SGO page as they are approved; as of October 30, 2026 none were listed yet. Federally backed scholarships are limited to families whose income is no more than three times the median gross income for their area.
Where does the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit fit among Oklahoma's other programs?
| Source | What it is | Who can use it | How much | How the money moves | What it isn't |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parental Choice Tax Credit (PCTC) | Refundable Oklahoma income tax credit | Oklahoma residents from pre-K at age 4 through grade 12 at an accredited, registered private school; every income level | $5,000-$7,500 per student by AGI tier, never more than tuition and fees | Tax Commission check mailed to the school in the parent's name | Not an ESA, not a debit card, and not usable for outside tutors or devices |
| Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (LNH) | OSDE scholarship for students with disabilities and a few other groups | Children from PK3 up on an IEP, plus several foster, military and homeless-school routes | Computed per child from the state aid formula; never above the school's charges; OSDE keeps up to 2.5% | Warrant to the parent, mailed to the school and endorsed over | Not usable at a school OSDE hasn't approved |
| Homeschool tax credit | Refundable Oklahoma income tax credit | Families teaching at home under Oklahoma's homeschool exception | Up to $1,000 per student per tax year | Claimed on the state return for the year you paid | Not a tuition credit, and it excludes internet service and out-of-state trips |
| SGO scholarships (GO for Catholic Schools, OSF and others) | Donor-funded private scholarships | Set by each organization, often need-based | Set by each organization | Usually paid to the school | Not guaranteed; awards depend on what donors give |