Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship helps North Carolina families pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship helps North Carolina families pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
About the Program
Have questions? You’re in the right place. Since 2014, we’ve helped families across North Carolina apply for educational funds through the Opportunity Scholarship.
-
Who can apply for an Opportunity Scholarship?
North Carolina families of students entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
-
How much money is it?
Awards range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on a family’s household income.
-
How can the money be used?
The money can be used to pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Visit the How to Apply page for important information and resources to help you apply for the Opportunity Scholarship.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Already awarded?
If you’ve already received your award you can learn more about next steps and find additional resources.
Resources
Additional Resources
Find further resources and information about the Opportunity Scholarship program, how it works, how to apply and what the requirements are.
Frequently asked quesitons
No. The scholarship may only be used for students entering Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must be at least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 years old by April 16 and approved for Kindergarten according to State guidelines.
No, but more than 600 schools are currently registered to receive program funds. We call these “Direct Payment Schools”. Find a school on the list of registered schools.
No, they do not need to already be enrolled at a private school to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship. However, they would need to be enrolled in and attending a registered private school by October 1 to use the scholarship funds.
Yes. There are a variety of co-enrollment options, depending on the policies of your local public school district. Full-time public school and full-time homeschool are not options for the Opportunity Scholarship.
Yes, if your student lives in North Carolina on the day your school begins for the 2025-26 school year. Learn more about the documentation you will be asked to provide.
It depends on the cost of the school. A family can receive the amount listed in their Award Tier, up to the cost of tuition and required fees. Families are responsible for paying the difference if their tuition is higher than the award amount.