CHECKED 2026-10-07 · 2026-2027

North Carolina Private School Scholarships: Opportunity and ESA+

North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship helps with private-school tuition and required fees. ESA+ separately supports eligible students with disabilities. Some students can receive both awards at a Direct Payment School, subject to each program’s requirements.

Status checked October 7, 2026: NCSEAA says the final 2026–27 offers were issued August 21 and the acceptance deadline was September 11. The next application opens on the first Monday in February 2027, which is February 1. Check NCSEAA for the complete 2027–28 calendar and instructions. Official update

Opportunity Scholarship

Who is eligible. North Carolina students entering kindergarten through 12th grade, with at least one parent or guardian living in the state. Since 2024-25, there has been no income cap for eligibility.

Award maximums for 2026–27. Household income and family size determine one of four tiers:

These are maximums for tuition and required fees, not guaranteed payments or a promise of funds above the school’s eligible charges. The official chart uses 2025 household income for this cycle. For a four-person household, the tier-income ceilings are $61,050, $122,100 and $274,725; Tier 4 has no income limit. Use the chart for your actual household size. Official 2026–27 tier chart

How awards are made. New students who apply during the priority period are entered into a lottery, and awards are made in order of income tier until funding runs out. Tier 1 families get first priority. Applications received after the priority period are considered monthly in the order received, as funds allow. Renewing students apply separately and are generally funded ahead of new applicants.

2026–27 status. The priority application period ran February 2 through March 2, 2026. The state extended its final round of 2026–27 offers in late August, and the program is no longer accepting applications for this school year.

Preparing for 2027–28. NCSEAA has announced the first Monday in February as the opening. Do not assume a closing date or income-document year until the new instructions are published. To be ready:

1. Create or update your account in MyPortal through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) at k12.ncseaa.edu.
2. Gather financial records, then follow the new cycle’s specified income year and documentation rules. Do not assume it requires a newly filed return.
3. Apply during the priority period, not after it. Priority-period applicants enter the lottery; later applicants wait for leftover funds.
4. Confirm your MyPortal application shows as complete before the deadline.
5. Choose a school promptly once awarded. Failing to select a school by the deadline cancels the award.

ESA+ for students with disabilities

ESA+ (Education Student Accounts) is North Carolina's scholarship for K–12 students with disabilities who require special education services. It can pay private-school tuition and permitted expenses such as therapies, tutoring and educational technology. The base annual award is $9,000; students with certain designated disabilities may qualify for $17,000. An Eligibility Determination from a public school is required; a diagnosis alone is not the complete application. ESA+ official overview

NCSEAA’s September update covers final offers and acceptance deadlines for both programs. Check the new cycle’s ESA+ application requirements separately, even when application periods overlap.

Receiving Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ together

Eligible students can receive both programs at a Direct Payment School. NCSEAA applies Opportunity Scholarship funds to tuition and fees first, then ESA+ funds. Permitted remaining ESA+ funds go to ClassWallet for eligible expenses. This does not mean every applicant receives both maximum awards or that unused Opportunity funds become unrestricted cash. Complete each program’s required tasks. Official dual-award payment process

School selection and payment timing

Confirm that your school is registered for the award you intend to use. For dual awards, verify its Direct Payment status. School admission and scholarship selection are separate, so ask about deposits and refund terms while your award is uncertain.

Direct Payment Schools receive fall and spring payments through NCSEAA after the school and parent complete the required steps. Review the amount before endorsing it and contact NCSEAA if it appears wrong. ESA+ reimbursement schools operate differently: families pay first and seek reimbursement under program rules. Do not assume those arrangements offer the same cash flow.

Covering the remaining bill

Ask the school whether its own aid can be combined with your scholarship and what charges remain. For students who need specialized services, confirm the actual services, staffing and extra costs at the receiving school.

For 529 withdrawals, tax coordination and payment plans, see how to pay for private school.

Official sources and updates

Checked October 7, 2026. Program rules and application status can change. Confirm the current requirements before applying or committing to a school.

• NCSEAA application-status update
• Opportunity Scholarship overview
• 2026–27 income and award tiers
• ESA+ overview
• Dual-award and payment rules

This guide provides general educational information. It does not determine admission, scholarship eligibility, an award, or an individual tax result.