(The Lion) — Demand continues rising for Oklahoma’s private school choice tax credits as more parents seek help paying for education outside the public school system.
The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program gives families refundable tax credits for private school tuition and fees. Eligible families can receive between $5,000 and $7,500 per child.
Lower-income families qualify for the largest credits, and families earning less than $150,000 annually receive priority.
A May 15 report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows the state approved 20,310 children from families making less than $150,000 for the 2026-27 school year. That’s up from 19,627 at the same time last year, the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs said.
The program also serves many families receiving government assistance, including 2,911 children from families that receive SNAP, TANF, SoonerCare or SoonerSelect benefits, according to the May 15 report.
“Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit has proven exceptionally popular with families,” state Education Secretary Daniel Hamlin said. “Nearly 38,000 children took advantage of the program last year, and even more are expected to do so this year. The program is also reaching a broad range of families across the state.”
The report also found 1,793 approved students from families earning less than $150,000 previously attended public school. The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs reported at least 5,528 children have used the program to transfer from public school to private school during the past two school years.
The figures suggest many parents want alternatives to their assigned public schools. That includes families seeking faith-based education but unable to afford private school tuition without financial assistance.
Lawmakers expanded the program this year.
Last month, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 3705, raising the program cap from $250 million to $275 million.
Stitt had pushed lawmakers to remove the cap entirely, but they declined to do so.
“Parents, not the government, should have the power to decide the best educational path for their child,” Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid, said in a release. “I’m glad the Legislature and the governor responded to the growing demand by expanding the cap for this vital program, so more parents have the flexibility to choose the education their children deserve.”
The application window for the 2026-27 Parental Choice Tax Credit program opened March 16 and closes June 15.
