North Carolina
"Esse quam videri"(To be, rather than to seem)
Opportunity Scholarships
North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship provides income-tiered vouchers ($3,458-$7,686) for private school tuition and fees. Universal eligibility for all NC K-12 families since 2024-2025. Administered by NC State Education Assistance Authority.
💰 Award Amounts & Funding
Standard Award Range
📝 How to Apply
1. Visit k12.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship to access application portal. 2. Gather required documents: proof of NC residency, household income documentation, student birth certificate. 3. Complete online application during February 6 - March 6 priority period (or any time after for rolling consideration). 4. Submit all required documentation. 5. Select eligible private school from registered school list. 6. Await approval notification. 7. If approved, funds sent directly to selected private school.
Proof of North Carolina residency, Household income documentation (for award tier determination), Student birth certificate, Enrollment confirmation from eligible private school
🛒 What You Can Buy with ESA Funds
Private school tuition and required fees at eligible registered private schools
📊 Academic Requirements
Students in grades 3+ must take nationally standardized achievement test annually. Grades 3-8: English, grammar, reading, spelling, mathematics. Grades 9, 10, 12: English, grammar, reading, spelling, mathematics OR verbal/quantitative competencies. Grade 11: ACT required. Tests include Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, TerraNova (normed within 10 years). Results due July 15 annually.
Must attend eligible private school full-time. Cannot be enrolled full-time in public school or charter school.
Annual testing required for accountability
Submit standardized test results to NCSEAA by July 15 each year. Families who do not submit test results cannot renew scholarship.
Annual renewal available if testing requirements met and student remains eligible (NC resident, enrolled in eligible private school, testing completed). Applications processed in order received.
📞 Contact & Resources
Get Help
Helpful Resources
Education Student Accounts (ESA+)
North Carolina ESA+ provides funds for students with disabilities to access private school tuition, homeschool expenses, tutoring, therapies, curriculum, and educational technology. Administered by NC State Education Assistance Authority through ClassWallet.
💰 Award Amounts & Funding
Standard Award Range
Special Needs Award
📝 How to Apply
1. Verify student has eligible IEP from NC public school (issued within last 3 years). 2. Visit k12.ncseaa.edu to access ESA+ application portal. 3. Gather required documents: IEP eligibility determination, proof of NC residency, student birth certificate. 4. Complete online application during February 6 - March 6 priority window. 5. Submit all documentation. 6. Await approval notification from NCSEAA. 7. If approved, receive ClassWallet account access for purchasing approved expenses.
IEP eligibility determination from North Carolina public school (within last 3 years), Proof of North Carolina residency, Student birth certificate, Documentation of disability classification under IDEA
🛒 What You Can Buy with ESA Funds
Private school tuition and fees, Homeschool curriculum and materials, Tutoring services (math, science, English/language arts, social studies, foreign languages), Educational therapy (speech therapy, occupational therapy), Standardized testing fees, Educational technology (vision, hearing, speech communication, learning/cognition/development, computers), Curricular materials (lesson plans, learning kits, workbooks), Textbooks, Transportation to educational services
📊 Academic Requirements
Students in grades 3+ must take nationally standardized achievement test annually. Grades 3-8: English, grammar, reading, spelling, mathematics. Grades 9, 10, 12: English, grammar, reading, spelling, mathematics OR verbal/quantitative competencies. Grade 11: ACT required. Tests include Stanford Achievement Test, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, TerraNova (normed within 10 years). Results due July 15 annually.
Must be enrolled in eligible private school or homeschool program
Annual testing required for accountability
Submit standardized test results to NCSEAA by July 15 each year. All purchases must be made through ClassWallet marketplace. Educational technology items cannot be purchased in same category within 3 school years. No item over $600.
Annual renewal available if testing requirements met and student remains eligible (NC resident, disability classification continues, not graduated). Families who do not submit test results cannot renew scholarship.
📞 Contact & Resources
Get Help
Helpful Resources
North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship
Opportunity Scholarship provides vouchers to low- and middle-income North Carolina families to attend private schools. Rapidly growing program.
💰 Award Amounts & Funding
Standard Award Range
✅ Eligibility Requirements
Income-based (expanding eligibility tiers). North Carolina resident. K-12 students.
🛒 What You Can Buy with ESA Funds
Private school tuition and fees only.
📞 Contact & Resources
Get Help
Helpful Resources
Special Education Scholarship Grants for Children with Disabilities
Special Education Scholarship provides vouchers for students with disabilities to attend private schools with specialized services.
💰 Award Amounts & Funding
Standard Award Range
✅ Eligibility Requirements
Must have IEP. North Carolina resident. Ages 3-22.
🛒 What You Can Buy with ESA Funds
Private school tuition and disability-related educational services.