North Carolina ESA and scholarship programs
Education savings account and scholarship programs in North Carolina: who runs them, the key figures for this school year, the next dates, recent changes and step-by-step guides.
Programs
Education Student Accounts
- Short name
- ESA+
- Administrator
- NCSEAA
- Payment platform
- ClassWallet
- Applications
- closed
Key facts
| Value and source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Student Accounts | amount | 2026–27 | $9,000 a year (base); $17,000 a year for five designated disabilities (Disability-only program: the student needs an Eligibility Determination from a North Carolina public school issued within the last three years. Part-time (co-enrolled in a public school) students receive up to $4,500 or $8,500. Paid in two equal halves, one per semester.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | payment rule | 2026–27 | Two deposits: fall (August/September) and spring (January/February) (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. The first deposit requires the signed Parent Agreement. Home-school and Reimbursement School families receive deposits in ClassWallet; Reimbursement School families are repaid tuition after submitting receipts in December and April/May.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | Rollover | 2026–27 | Base award: no rollover. $17,000 award: up to $4,500 a year; balance cap $30,000. (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. Rollover funds can only pay current-year expenses. Funds return to NCSEAA if the agreement is not renewed.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | Year-end ClassWallet deadline | 2026–27 | June 15, 2027 (NCSEAA's earliest published date) (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. Submit expenses by the end of May to be safe. After ClassWallet reopens in July, services before July 1 cannot be paid. Refunds issued after the school year ends cannot return to the account.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | $500 academic spending requirement | 2026–27 | At least $500 per student per school year (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. Foreign language, art and music tutoring, educational technology, educational therapy and transportation are allowable but do not count. The Home School timeline lists a 'Minimum Spending Deadline' in May (no exact day).)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | Renewal | 2026–27 | By April 15, 2027 (not automatic) (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. Renewal also needs the $500 academic spending requirement met and, every three years, updated disability documentation.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | 2027–28 application window | 2027–28 | February 1 to March 1, 2027 (ESA+ is for students with disabilities who require special education services; applicants must submit an Eligibility Determination issued by a North Carolina public school in the last three years. From 2027–28, families must live in North Carolina when they apply (military families with orders to relocate excepted).)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | Eligibility | 2026–27 | Students with disabilities only (Eligibility Determination from a North Carolina public school, within three years) (Parents of full-time nonpublic or home-school students sign a Local Education Agency Release of public school special education services.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | Reimbursement | 2026–27 | Limited reimbursement: Reimbursement School tuition; pre-approved apps; testing materials by accommodation (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. A Reimbursement School must be registered with the NC Division of Non-Public Education. SEAA asks for tuition receipts in December (fall) and April/May (spring); approved payments reach the parent's bank account through ClassWallet in 1–2 weeks.)[source] Checked |
| Education Student Accounts | School enrollment deadline | 2026–27 | October 1 (each year) (ESA+ is for students with disabilities only. Home-school families who move to a Direct Payment School must contact ESA+ before October 1 (fall) or before March 1 (spring).)[source] Checked |
How this table is compiled: sources and methodology.
Next dates
- February 1, 2027 — Education Student Accounts: 2027–28 applications open (students with disabilities only) (Window opens)
- March 1, 2027 — Education Student Accounts: 2027–28 applications close (students with disabilities only) (Window closes)
- April 15, 2027 — Education Student Accounts: Respond to your renewal offer in MyPortal (not automatic) (Renewal)
Recent changes
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