February 1st marked the opening of registration for the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship. And this year, the Opportunity Scholarship is open to any school-aged child, because it was made “Universal” by our Republican legislators last year.

The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship is a state-funded, income-based program that offers scholarship monies for students in grades K-12 to attend any eligible, non-public school on a full- or part-time basis.  Schools that are eligible are those who will receive direct payments. This allows parents to choose which school best fits their child’s needs.

To help you determine whether the Universal Opportunity Scholarship is a fit for your family, we’ve put together the following Q/A:

What Schools are Eligible?

Who Is Eligible?

  • A student must:
    • Be at least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 by April 16 and approved for kindergarten following state testing guidelines. For more information about testing guidelines:  https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity/
    • Live in North Carolina;
    • Not have been enrolled in a postsecondary institution as a full-time student taking at least 12 hours of academic credit;
    • Not have been placed in a nonpublic school or facility by a public agency at public expense
  • Priority will be given to students currently receiving scholarships.

 How Much is the Scholarship?

  • It depends on your household income and the number in your household.  Priority will be given to the poorest families in the following order:
    • Tier 1: Students residing in a household with an income that qualifies for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program (exp: $57,720 max income for a family a 4), the student will receive an estimated $7, 213 up to the cost of tuition and fees.
    • Tier 2: Students residing in a household with an income that is 200% of the federal free or reduced-price lunch program income (exp: $115,440 max income for a family a 4), the student will receive an estimated $6,492 up to the cost of tuition and fees.
    • Tier 3: Students residing in a household with an income that is between 200% and 450% of the federal free or reduced-price lunch program income (exp: $259,740 max income for a family a 4), the student will receive an estimated $4,328.00.
    • Tier 4: All other students, will receive an estimated $3,246 up to the tuition cost and fees.
  • To determine your tier level and the amount of scholarship monies, go to: www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity/ .  Then go to “How Much is the Scholarship?” And click on “household income.”
  • Awards will be made based on availability of funds from the Education Lottery, with Tier 1 students receiving awards first.

What Does the Scholarship Cover?

  • Tuition, fees for books, transportation, equipment or other items required by the school.

When And How Do You Apply?  

At NC Values, we have worked to advance measures which allow money to follow the students, every one of them. If you support the work we do representing your pro-family and pro-school choice values across North Carolina, would you consider making a one-time or monthly donation today?

Sincerely,

Tami & Team
NC Values Coalition