North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship: eligibility, amounts, and how to use it

Published August 20, 2026

Last updated September 2, 2026

North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship at a glance

What it is: A state-funded scholarship covering tuition and fees at registered private schools in North Carolina
Who qualifies: All NC students in grades K through 12, regardless of income or prior school enrollment
Award amounts (2026-27): $3,574 to $7,942 per year, based on household income tier
What it covers: Tuition and required fees at 700+ registered "Direct Payment" private schools
What it does not cover: Homeschool expenses, tutoring, educational materials, or therapy services (for those, see the NC ESA+ program)
Application status: The 2026-27 application period is closed. NCSEAA sent the final round of scholarship offers on August 21, 2026. Families must accept or decline offers in MyPortal by September 11, 2026.
Administered by: The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)

How the Opportunity Scholarship works

The Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) has been running since 2014. It provides annual scholarships that North Carolina families can use to pay tuition and required fees at a registered private school. The state sends funds directly to the school, not to the family.

Starting with the 2025-26 school year, the program expanded to make all K-12 students in North Carolina eligible, regardless of household income. Before that expansion, the program was income-restricted. Now every NC family can apply, though income still determines how much you receive.

This is not an Education Savings Account. Unlike North Carolina's ESA+ program (which covers homeschool expenses, tutoring, therapy, and technology for students with disabilities), the Opportunity Scholarship is narrower in scope. It covers private school tuition and fees only.

Award amounts by tier (2026-27)

Your family's award is determined by household size and adjusted gross income. NCSEAA assigns you to one of four tiers:

Tier 1: $7,942 per year (lowest income bracket)
Tier 2: $7,148 per year
Tier 3: $4,766 per year
Tier 4: $3,574 per year (highest income bracket)

If your school's tuition is less than your award, you receive only the amount of tuition owed. If tuition exceeds the award, your family pays the difference.

NCSEAA offers an interactive income calculator on their website where you can estimate your family's award tier before applying.

Who is eligible

Eligibility is straightforward:

Your kid must be a North Carolina resident
They must be entering grades K through 12
They must be at least 5 years old by August 31 of the school year (or at least 4 by April 16 and approved for kindergarten)
They must attend a registered "Direct Payment" private school

There is no requirement to have previously attended a public school. There is no income cutoff for eligibility (income only affects the award amount, not whether you qualify). Families relocating to North Carolina can apply as long as they reside in the state by October 1.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through NCSEAA's MyPortal system. Here's the process:

Create a MyPortal account at the NCSEAA website if you don't have one
Submit your application during the open period (the priority period runs from February 2 to March 2; new student applications are accepted through mid-August)
Provide income documentation so NCSEAA can determine your award tier
Check MyPortal for your award notification (priority applicants are notified in spring; later applicants are processed monthly)
Enroll your kid in a registered Direct Payment school by October 1
Complete any remaining tasks in MyPortal (the system will prompt you)

The 2026-27 application period is now closed. NCSEAA processed applications monthly in the order received, with Tier 1 families receiving first priority. The final round of scholarship offers was sent on August 21, 2026.

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Finding a school that accepts the scholarship

Not every private school in North Carolina participates. More than 700 schools are registered as "Direct Payment" schools, meaning they've agreed to accept Opportunity Scholarship funds directly from the state.

You can search the full list of Direct Payment schools on the NCSEAA website or use the School Choice North Carolina tool to compare schools by location and program offerings.

When evaluating schools:

Confirm the school is on the current Direct Payment list (registration is annual)
Ask whether your award amount covers full tuition or whether you'll owe a balance
Ask about additional fees (technology fees, activity fees, uniforms) that may not be covered by the scholarship
Visit the school and ask about class sizes, curriculum approach, and how they support different learners

Opportunity Scholarship vs. ESA+: which program is right for your family?

North Carolina runs two separate K-12 scholarship programs, and they serve different needs:

Opportunity Scholarship: For any NC family seeking private school tuition assistance. Open to all income levels. Covers tuition and fees at registered private schools only. No disability requirement.
ESA+ (Education Student Accounts): For students with documented disabilities who require special education services. Provides $9,000 per year (or $17,000 for certain designated disabilities). Covers a much broader range of expenses: private school tuition, homeschool materials, tutoring, therapy, educational technology, and online learning programs. Uses ClassWallet for purchases.

If your kid has a disability with an eligibility determination from a public school, the ESA+ likely provides more funding and more flexibility than the Opportunity Scholarship. The ESA+ also supports homeschool and co-enrollment options, while the Opportunity Scholarship is private-school-only.

Families cannot receive both an Opportunity Scholarship and an ESA+ award for the same student in the same year.

Can Outschool families use the Opportunity Scholarship?

The Opportunity Scholarship covers private school tuition and fees only. It cannot be used directly to pay for Outschool classes.

However, if your kid attends a private school with an Opportunity Scholarship and you want to supplement with enrichment, tutoring, or additional subjects, Outschool classes can fill those gaps. Many private school families use Outschool for subjects their school doesn't offer (coding, creative writing, foreign languages beyond Spanish) or for one-on-one tutoring in areas where their kid needs extra support.

If your kid qualifies for the ESA+ program instead, Outschool is an approved expense through ClassWallet. Learn how to use NC ESA+ funds for Outschool classes here.

Important dates for the 2026-27 school year

February 2, 2026: Priority application period opened
March 2, 2026: Priority application period closed
Spring 2026: Award notifications sent to priority applicants
August 14, 2026: New student application deadline (now closed)
August 21, 2026: Final round of scholarship offers sent to eligible families
September 11, 2026: Deadline for families to accept or decline scholarship offers in MyPortal
October 1, 2026: Deadline to be enrolled in and attending a registered Direct Payment school

The federal scholarship tax credit (FSTC) and what it means for NC families

Starting January 1, 2027, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (IRC Section 25F) will create a new pathway for private school scholarship funding. The FSTC is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for donors who contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). North Carolina is one of 31 states that has opted into the program.

For NC families, this means additional scholarship funds may become available through state-level SGOs starting in 2027. The FSTC is a donor-side credit, so families won't apply for it directly. Instead, SGOs in North Carolina will distribute scholarship funds to eligible K-12 families (household income at or below 300% of area gross median income). Watch for announcements from NCSEAA and NC-based SGOs as implementation details are finalized.

FAQ

Can homeschool families use the Opportunity Scholarship?

No. The Opportunity Scholarship is exclusively for tuition and fees at registered private schools. Homeschool families in North Carolina should look into the ESA+ program (for students with disabilities) or pay for materials and classes independently. The FSTC, launching in 2027, may eventually fund scholarships that cover homeschool expenses depending on how NC's SGOs structure their programs.

Does my kid have to be currently attending public school to qualify?

No. There is no prior public school enrollment requirement. Your kid can apply whether they're currently in public school, private school, homeschool, or have never been in school.

What happens if we apply after the priority deadline?

Applications submitted after March 2 are processed monthly in the order they were received. Tier 1 families (lowest income) get first priority. Awards are made as funds become available, so later applicants may not receive funding for the current school year.

Can I use the Opportunity Scholarship and the ESA+ together?

No. A student cannot receive both an Opportunity Scholarship and an ESA+ award in the same school year. If your kid is eligible for both, compare the award amounts and what each covers to determine which is the better fit.

Does the scholarship cover the full cost of private school?

It depends on the school. Awards range from $3,574 to $7,942 for 2026-27. Many private schools in North Carolina charge more than the maximum award, so families may owe the difference. Some schools offer additional financial aid that can be combined with the scholarship.

What if we move to North Carolina mid-year?

Families relocating to North Carolina can apply for the Opportunity Scholarship as long as they reside in the state by October 1 and meet all residency documentation requirements. Contact NCSEAA at 855-330-3955 or OpportunityScholarships@ncseaa.edu for guidance on mid-year applications.