The 2023 Appropriations Act Expands Eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship Program
Changes will take effect for 2024-2025 school year
RALEIGH, NC – On October 3, 2023, the North Carolina State Budget (House Bill 259) became law. The new law authorizes several changes to the State’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, which will begin with the 2024-2025 school year.
Changes for the 2024-2025 school year include:
- Removal of the income cap for families to receive the scholarship; now all North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for the Scholarship regardless of income.
- Prior public school enrollment is no longer a requirement for eligibility for the scholarship.
- A student’s scholarship amount will be based on household income.
- Scholarship amounts will range from approximately $3,000 to approximately $7,000.
The Opportunity Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year will open on February 1, 2024. Families must apply by March 1 to receive priority consideration. More information about the application process will be available on the program website in January.
The Opportunity Scholarship program was created by the General Assembly in 2013 to help parents pay tuition and fees at eligible nonpublic schools. The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) administers the Opportunity Scholarship. More information will be available January 1, 2024 on www.ncseaa.edu. You can also contact the program at OpportunityScholarships@ncseaa.edu or 855-330-3955.
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