North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Guide 2026–2027

Eligibility

All K–12 students; income-tiered award.

What the money can be used for

• Tuition

Generally not allowed

• Anything other than tuition and required fees at a participating school

See our full eligible-expenses guide for the gray areas (technology caps, transportation, religious instruction, family-member compensation).

How to apply

1. Confirm eligibility. All K–12 students; income-tiered award.
2. Gather documents. Proof of residency, the student’s birth certificate, the prior-year tax return (where income matters), and any IEP or 504 documentation.
3. Open the application. NC State Education Assistance Authority runs the program; applications typically open spring.
4. Submit early. Universal programs with appropriation caps reward applications during the priority window.
5. Pick approved providers. Browse our provider directory and the state’s official approved-provider list for participating schools, tutors, and therapists.

Curriculum & classes parents buy with North Carolina funds

Most ESA-friendly curriculum and live-class platforms — Time4Learning, Outschool, BJU Press, Khan Academy, AoPS — are on multiple state approved-provider lists. See our curriculum guide for the picks by subject and learning style, and verify each item with the North Carolina administrator before purchasing.

Editorial notes

North Carolina’s program was enacted in 2013 (universal 2024). Award amounts and eligibility thresholds are reviewed each legislative session; we re-verify each state page on a rolling cadence and date-stamp the last review. See our methodology page for details. The final word on eligibility, deadlines, and approved providers is always the state administrator — verify with the NC State Education Assistance Authority before spending.