NCSEAA GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are awarded by lottery
There are two scholarship programs available to North Carolina families, the Opportunity Scholarship program, and the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program for students with disabilities. Families may apply to more than one program, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements of each.
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
Opportunity Scholarship: North Carolina Students (K-12)
The Opportunity Scholarship program was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2013. Scholarships are awarded based on a family’s household income and can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school.
Scholarships range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000 and are based on a family’s household income. Scholarships can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school.
Parents of any North Carolina student entering kindergarten through 12th grade may apply.
New student applications submitted February 1st through March 1st will be entered into a random lottery. Students are awarded the Opportunity Scholarship in order of Award Tier until funding is exhausted.
The lottery will proceed in the following order, as funding allows:
Students in Award Tier 1 will be offered an Opportunity Scholarship in order of lottery number.
Students in Award Tier 2 will be offered an Opportunity Scholarship in order of lottery number.
Assuming funds remain available for more awards, students in Award Tier 3 and then Tier 4 will be offered an Opportunity Scholarship in order of lottery number.
Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship:
At least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 years old by April 16 and approved for Kindergarten according to State guidelines
Lives in North Carolina
Has not graduated from high school
Has not enrolled in a post-secondary institution full-time
Important Dates
The application period for the 2024-2025 school year closed on March 1, 2024. The application for the 2025-2026 school year will open in February 2025.
EDUCATION STUDENT ACCOUNTS (ESA+)
CLASS WALLET (ESA+ ONLY)
Expands school choice for eligible students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
North Carolina’s Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program is available to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Funds may be used to pay tuition and fees for eligible private schools, and for expenses such as speech therapy, tutoring services, and educational technology.
Once renewals are completed, ESA+ grants are approved through a lottery.
$9,000 annual award; students with certain designated disabilities may be eligible to receive $17,000 a year
Families may choose from a variety of learning environments, including private schools, home schools, or co-enrollment
Eligibility based on documentation of a disability and other program requirements
Please note: an eligibility determination issued by a North Carolina public school is required as part of the application process.
Important Dates
Application opens February 1, 2024. The priority deadline is March 1. The application may remain open after March 1, subject to the availability of funds.
Class Wallet (ESA+ Only)
ClassWallet is a digital wallet with an integrated eCommerce marketplace, automated ACH direct deposit, and reloadable debit card with pre-approval workflows and audit-ready transaction reporting.
If your ESA+ application is approved, your ESA+ funds will be disbursed into your ClassWallet account.
ClassWallet reduces overhead costs, saves valuable time, and better visibility and control for decentralized purchases.
ClassWallet streamlines the purchasing and reimbursement process with our groundbreaking digital wallet technology and world-class support team