North Carolina ESA+ calculator for 2026-27

How ESA+ amounts work in 2026-27

• Private school, pre-K: Not covered. ESA+ starts at kindergarten. Children must be 5 by Aug 31, or 4 by Apr 16 and approved for early kindergarten.
• Private school, grades K-12, with an IEP: $9,000 to $17,000 per child. Most students get $9,000. Students whose primary or secondary disability is autism, hearing impairment, moderate or severe intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment or visual impairment can get up to $17,000. Part-time students get half. ESA+ needs an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school in the last 3 years.
• Private school, grades K-12, without an IEP: Disability required. ESA+ is only for students with a disability who need special education, shown by an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school in the last 3 years. For private school without one, look at the Opportunity Scholarship, which is paid to the school.
• Homeschool, pre-K: Not covered. ESA+ starts at kindergarten. Children must be 5 by Aug 31, or 4 by Apr 16 and approved for early kindergarten.
• Homeschool, grades K-12, with an IEP: $9,000 to $17,000 per child. Most students get $9,000. Students whose primary or secondary disability is autism, hearing impairment, moderate or severe intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment or visual impairment can get up to $17,000. Part-time students get half. ESA+ needs an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school in the last 3 years.
• Homeschool, grades K-12, without an IEP: Disability required. ESA+ is only for students with a disability who need special education, shown by an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school in the last 3 years. For private school without one, look at the Opportunity Scholarship, which is paid to the school.

When the money arrives

• Private school and homeschool with an IEP: Two equal deposits, half each semester. The program's home school timeline puts fall funds in ClassWallet in August and spring funds in January; exact 2026-27 dates aren't posted. Fall (50%): Aug 2026; Spring (50%): Jan 2027.

Good to know

• Pre-K isn't covered. ESA+ starts at kindergarten.
• Only for students with a disability who need special education. An IEP alone isn't enough; you need an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school in the last 3 years.
• New student applications for 2026-27 closed when the priority period ended Mar 2, 2026.
• Leftover money from a $9,000 award goes back to the state at year end. With the $17,000 award you can roll over up to $4,500 a year, up to $30,000 in the account.
• You must spend at least $500 a year on tuition, curriculum or tutoring in math, science, English or social studies.
• Private school students give up public school special education services while they get ESA+ funds.
• Home learning: Home schools can use the full award on allowed items, but not on tuition.

Last checked Oct 29, 2026. Official program site: k12.ncseaa.edu. Your award notice is final.

Keeping receipts? The North Carolina ESA+ Tracker logs every purchase against your deposits and shows what's left, in Google Sheets or Excel.