Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship: The Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) Scholarship Program is a critical initiative of the State of Oklahoma designed to provide educational opportunities to students with disabilities and other extenuating circumstances.
Established in 2010 and named in honor of the late daughter of Governor Brad Henry, the program allows eligible students to attend approved private schools that best meet their individual learning needs.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program Overview
The LNH Scholarship Program allows parents or guardians of eligible students to apply for scholarships that cover tuition and certain fees at participating private schools. This allows families to choose educational settings that best meet their children’s specific needs, especially when public schools cannot adequately address those needs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the LNH Scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Disability Status: The student must have a documented disability and be covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Previous Enrollment: The student must have been enrolled in an Oklahoma public school during the previous school year.
In addition, eligibility extends to students who:
- Have an Individualized Service Plan developed by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
- Are children of military families with permanent change of station orders who moved to Oklahoma after receiving IDEA services in another state.
- Have received services through the SoonerStart program and are eligible for school district services during transition.
- Have been in out-of-home placement through the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
- Have been in out-of-home placement with DHS or were adopted while in permanent DHS custody.
- Attend or have enrolled in a school dedicated exclusively to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Benefits of the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship
The LNH Scholarship covers:
- Tuition at approved private schools.
- Enrollment, registration, and application fees.
- Textbook and technology fees.
- Activity and assessment fees.
- School uniforms, if paid directly to the school.
- Special education programs and therapies necessary to address the student’s educational needs, such as tutoring or individualized assistance.
The scholarship amount is calculated based on the state and local funds allocated to the student in the public school or the private school’s tuition and fees, whichever is lower.
Application Process
For Parents and Guardians:
Secure Enrollment: Obtain your child’s acceptance into an approved private school.
Apply: Complete the LNH Scholarship Application and submit it, along with the required documentation, to the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) by December 1 for consideration during the current school year.
Annual Renewal: Renew the application each year by July 1 or before the start of the academic year to continue receiving the scholarship.
For Private Schools:
Private schools wishing to participate must:
- Meet accreditation requirements established by the State Board of Education or an approved accrediting association.
- Provide services and/or accommodations for students with disabilities.
- Demonstrate financial solvency.
- Comply with anti-discrimination laws.
- Comply with state and local health and safety laws and codes.
- Be academically accountable to parents or guardians.
- Have qualified teachers.
- Comply with all state laws related to private schools.
- Comply with published policies. Disciplinary procedures are in place before expelling a scholarship student.
- The application and required documentation must be submitted by the superintendent, principal, or school director to OSDE.
Legal and Financial Context
In 2016, the Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the LNH Scholarship Program, stating that it does not violate the state’s prohibition on using public funds for private religious institutions.
Between 2010 and 2020, Oklahoma allocated approximately $31 million to the LNH Scholarship Program. In the 2019-20 academic year alone, the program awarded $7 million in tuition payments to 996 students. Oklahoma Watch
Contact Information
For more details or assistance:
Stacy Eden, LNH Project Manager: (405) 521-4876
Crystal Royalty, LNH Specialist: (405) 521-2372
Additional information and application materials can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website.
Conclusion
The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program plays a critical role in providing educational options to Oklahoma families, ensuring that students with disabilities and other qualifying circumstances have access to learning environments that best suit their needs. Additional Resources
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