Keeping Catholic schools affordable

Education plays a significant role in securing a brighter future for our young people. A Catholic education is especially valuable with its focus on the whole child in goodness, truth and beauty.

Catholic schools provide children with the opportunity to expand their knowledge in all academic subject areas, to explore what they are passionate about, to learn how to share their gifts and talents with the wider community, and to know that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. 

Many families in our archdiocese would like to send their children to a Catholic school but believe the cost of tuition is beyond their means. Thankfully, help is on the way! There are several new school choice resources now available to help families afford the investment of a high-quality Catholic education.

In May, Oklahoma legislators passed the Parental Choice Tax Credit, a universal tax credit that will help families pay tuition and fees at an accredited private school of their choice. Starting Dec. 6, parents can apply for the tax credit at parentalchoice.ok.gov. 

The maximum amount of the tax credit is determined by a family’s total federal Adjusted Gross Income during the second preceding tax year. 

Households with an AGI of $0-$75,000 can receive $7,500; households with an AGI of $75,001-$150,000 can receive $7,000; households with an AGI of $150,001-$225,000 can receive $6,500; households with an AGI of $225,001-$250,000 can receive $6,000 and households with an AGI of $250,001 and up can receive $5,000. 

A priority window of application between Dec. 6, 2023, and Feb. 1, 2024, will be open to families whose AGI is less than $150,000. 

All families apply during the same time period. After the priority period ends, families in the other income brackets will be awarded tax credits on a first come, first served basis until the funding cap for the first year ($150 million) is met.

Effective for the 2024-2025 school year, Catholic elementary schools around the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City are moving to a flat-rate tuition model. The flat-rate model was adopted after a diocesan-wide analysis showed a need for competitive salary increases for faculty and staff, improved safety and security at some locations, and the desire to ensure operational vitality for schools while also being good stewards of parish funds. 

Catholic schools have a long history of delivering a high-quality education at a reasonable cost and that will not change! 

All elementary schools have already announced next year’s switch to a flat rate. For some, the change is of minimal effect. Others will see their flat rate go down compared to their current non-Catholic rate and some schools will need to increase rates to meet the new demands. However, across the board, a Catholic education remains very affordable. 

Families of Catholic school students needing tuition assistance will continue to have access to a variety of financial aid options such as the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship, the recently enacted Parental Choice Tax Credit, and other grant opportunities available through parishes and schools.

Our new tuition structures will help create a more sustainable and thriving Catholic school system in the archdiocese and provide greater educational opportunities for Oklahoma's children. 

I encourage you to learn more about the 18 schools in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and find out how a Catholic education can secure a brighter future for your student!