Financial Assistance for Education
Start With Fit
Cost matters, but so does fit.
Many families rule out school options before they fully understand what financial assistance may be available. North Carolina offers scholarship programs that may help eligible families access educational settings and supports that better fit their child's needs.
Before focusing on price, focus on fit. If you are still comparing school settings, visit our Educational Pathways page first.
Opportunity Scholarship
Helping families access private schools
North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship Program provides financial assistance toward tuition and required fees at participating private schools. Unlike ESA+, the program is not specifically limited to students with disabilities.
Award amounts depend on household income and current program rules. Families should review eligibility, application dates, award amounts, and participating schools before making enrollment decisions.
Some students may qualify for both the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+. Families should review the current rules governing combined awards and eligible expenses.
Explore the Opportunity Scholarship →
ESA+
Education Student Accounts Plus Program
North Carolina's Education Student Accounts Plus (ESA+) Program provides scholarship funding to help eligible students with disabilities access educational services and supports.
Depending on current program rules, approved expenses may include private school tuition, educational therapies, tutoring, curriculum, educational technology, and other qualifying supports.
ESA+ requires documentation showing that a student meets the program's disability eligibility requirements. This is where families often have questions about IEPs and private school enrollment.
Visit the official ESA+ Program →
Does my child need an active IEP to keep ESA+?
No. An active Individualized Education Program (IEP) is not the same as the Eligibility Determination required for ESA+.
Eligibility Determination
Documents whether your child qualifies for special education under an eligible disability category. This is the documentation ESA+ uses to establish disability eligibility.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Describes the specialized instruction, services, accommodations, and educational goals developed for a student receiving special education through the public school system.
What happens if my child attends private school?
A student may attend private school without maintaining an active public school IEP and still meet ESA+ disability eligibility requirements.
Keep copies of your child's Eligibility Determination and other special education records. Private schools generally are not required to implement public school IEPs in the same way public schools are.
How does ESA+ continuing eligibility work?
Families must provide updated disability eligibility documentation at least every three years, following the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority's requirements.
Even when a child attends private school, parents can request a special education reevaluation through the appropriate public school district. The district reviews existing information and determines whether additional assessments are needed.
Do parents have to pay for private evaluations?
Not necessarily. Public school special education evaluations and reevaluations are available at no cost to parents through the responsible public school agency.
Parents may choose to pursue qualifying private evaluations, which can involve out-of-pocket costs. However, the absence of private school IEP progress reports does not automatically mean parents must purchase private assessments, therapy, or medical testing to renew ESA+ eligibility.
Next Step
Use funding to support the decision, not drive it.
If you are still deciding between public school, charter school, private school, homeschool, or specialized programs, start with our Educational Pathways page.
You can also explore private preschool and school options that support children with autism and learning differences.
