Opportunity Scholarship Program

The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) expands school choice for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), this program provides vital tuition assistance, allowing more families to access independent, faith-based education for their children at participating schools, including our NCCSA member schools.

2026–2027 Program Updates & Universal Eligibility

Thanks to historic legislative expansions that took full effect over the last few years, the Opportunity Scholarship is now open to ALL North Carolina families, regardless of household income or zip code. Additionally, students are no longer required to have previously attended a public school to be eligible. Demand for the program is stronger than ever, with over 104,000 students currently enrolled across the state.

While all families are eligible, the state utilizes a tier system to prioritize funding for lower-income households first.

Scholarship Award Tiers (2026–2027 School Year)

Scholarships are awarded based on household income and family size. For the 2026–2027 academic year, awards range from $3,574 up to $7,942 per student.

Here is the breakdown of the award tiers (based on a family of four):

• Tier 1 (Income up to $61,050): Up to $7,942 per year

• Tier 2 (Income up to $122,100): Up to $7,148 per year

• Tier 3 (Income up to $274,725): Up to $4,766 per year

• Tier 4 (No Income Limit): Up to $3,574 per year

(Note: If the cost of your school’s tuition is higher than the student’s Award Tier, the family is responsible for the remaining balance).

Important Dates & Application Process

• Priority Application Period: Opens annually in early February and closes on March 1st. Families who apply during this window are given priority in the lottery process.

• Award Notifications (April): Scholarship offers for the upcoming school year are generally sent out in April. Parents must act quickly to accept or decline their award in the MyPortal system (typically by mid-April).

• Rolling Applications: Applications received after the priority deadline are considered on a first-come, first-served basis as funds remain available.

Parents must apply and renew their applications annually through the NCSEAA online portal.

ESA+ Program for Students with Disabilities

In addition to the Opportunity Scholarship, the NCSEAA administers the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program. This program exists to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

• Funds may be used for private school tuition and fees, as well as approved educational expenses like speech therapy, tutoring services, and educational technology.

• The ESA+ program typically awards $9,000 annually, though students with certain designated disabilities may be eligible to receive up to $17,000 annually.

Resources & Links

The NCCSA is thankful for these continuing expansions, as they provide more families the opportunity to choose Christian education. For the most up-to-date information, to verify income requirements, or to apply, please utilize the official NCSEAA resources below:

• NCSEAA Opportunity Scholarship Information: https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity/

• NCSEAA ESA+ Information: https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/esa/

• MyPortal Parent Login: Access the Application Portal Here

• NCSEAA Phone Support: 855-330-3955