Advocates trying to bridge gap as some families expected school choice tax credit to take effect sooner

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Advocates are highlighting the impact of a tax credit used to help connect low-income students to private schools in Oklahoma.

The Opportunity Scholarship Fund helps connect students in need with partner schools across the state— including Holy Trinity Lutheran School in Edmond.

Andrew Cluck, the head of school at Holy Trinity, shared that, "Kids come and get to know Jesus and, and get to know the world around them and, and better themselves. It's a great place."

He noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic, he's seen increased interest among families in private schools. However, not everyone can afford tuition.

"One of our missions is that students will always be able to attend here now matter their financial status," he added.

• ALSO SEE:Oklahoma education takes new turn: Reading initiatives, US history curriculum under Walters

He asserted that partnering with the OSF has made all the difference for some Holy Trinity families.

"There are kids here that wouldn't be able to be here, and would be either at their public school or finding an alternate solution without it," Cluck noted.

Advocates informed FOX 25 that the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program allows donors to make a greater impact compared to a normal charitable tax deduction.

For example, through the program, a donor can make a personal cost of $500 turn into over $2,667 through the tax credit on top of a deduction, according to the OSF.

Sarah Guardiola, CEO of the OSF, shared that, "Maybe there's bullying and they need to step out of the neighborhood school because that's all their families can afford. This program kind of comes alongside with them and offers scholarships so that the private school is attainable."

According to the fund, it connects students to schools that meet their specialized needs— ranging from those serving kids with drug addictions to dealing with homelessness to needing smaller class sizes.

Guardiola asserted, though, that the OSF is trying to match over 535 students with scholarships after they identified schools for the children— after some found out another law for school tax credits that passed in 2023 doesn't take effect until 2024.

• ALSO SEE:Oklahoma to offer school choice tax credits for private and homeschooling expenses starting January

That law, the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act, was approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R-Okla.) in May.

"Families who are surprised, and distraught, and not sure what to do because they thought that this was a good opportunity for them. And so OSF is hoping to come alongside and bridge that gap," Guardiola added.

According to the fund, it, "will distribute nearly 500 scholarships this month for the 2023-24 school year, totaling $1.4 million...In 2022, OSF granted more than 1,200 scholarships totaling $3.6 million, serving 15% more students than the year before."

The parental choice tax credit act is set to take effect in Jan. 2024.

For more local news delivered straight to your inbox sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.