Documentation of a Disability
The ESA+ scholarship is for students with disabilities who require special education services.


Documentation of a Disability
The ESA+ scholarship is for students with disabilities who require special education services.

Here’s how it works
When you apply for the ESA+ scholarship we will ask you to submit your student’s Eligibility Determination. This is a legal document issued by a public school that determines whether a student has a disability and is eligible for special education or related services.
An Eligibility Determination document issued within the last three years by a North Carolina public school, or a Department of Defense school located in North Carolina. It must include the following information:
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the title “Eligibility Determination”
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your student’s name and date of birth
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your student’s primary area of disability
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the name of the public school (or school district) issuing the Eligibility Determination
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a yes/no question for the school to indicate whether the student meets the eligibility criteria for special education and related services (if “no,” was selected, your student is not eligible for the ESA+)
- the names of the IEP school team members and meeting date
You will have seven days from the date you submit the ESA+ application to submit the Eligibility Determination.
You will upload the document in MyPortal.
I need help identifying or submitting the correct document
Preparing for the 2024-2025 ESA+ Application
Our Scholarship Specialists provide an overview of how to apply for the ESA+ and the Eligibility Determination
Resources
Eligibility Determination FAQs
An Eligibility Determination issued by a North Carolina public school, or a Department of Defense school located in North Carolina is the only document accepted by the ESA+ program to verify a student’s eligibility.
Yes. The document can be submitted two additional times. All resubmits must be completed within three weeks of the date you submitted the application. Need help identifying or submitting the correct document? Contact us at 855-330-3955 or [email protected] to set up a one-on-one appointment.
You should not apply for ESA+ unless your child has an Eligibility Determination. For more information about initiating the special education process, please contact the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) a free service for North Carolina families: 800-962-6817 or [email protected].
No. The Eligibility Determination must be issued by a North Carolina public school, or a Department of Defense school located in North Carolina.
We can only accept documents submitted electronically in MyPortal. Follow the tips provided in How to Upload Documents in MyPortal or ask the public school that issued the document to send you an electronic copy (note: we cannot accept password-protected documents).

If you have questions about initiating the special education process, timelines, evaluations, reevaluations, and/or eligibility, please contact the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) at 800-962-6817 or [email protected]. ECAC provides NC families with tools, resources and information to help them make informed decisions and become their child’s best and most effective advocate. ALL of ECAC’s services to families are provided at no cost.
Please note that ECAC is a wholly separate entity from the State Education Assistance Authority (the “Authority”). ECAC is not affiliated with the Authority and the Authority is not responsible for any representations or information provided to the public by ECAC.