The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program FAQ

Your family is eligible! We encourage you to apply for the Opportunity Scholarship during the month of February. These Frequently Asked Questions can assist you in the application process.

What is the NC Opportunity Scholarship?
The Opportunity Scholarship is a program that helps pay a portion of independent school expenses. The purpose of the program is to increase a family’s choices when selecting a school for their K-12 student by providing funds to pay a part of an independent school’s tuition and fees. Awards are determined by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).  

What is different about the current Opportunity Scholarship program?
This program has existed since 2013. In the fall of 2023, significant changes were made to the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program that expanded access to more students for the 2024-25 school year.

The two biggest changes in the program were:

• Removal of the income cap for families to be eligible for the scholarship
• Removal of the requirement that a student have prior public school enrollment to be eligible. 

How much is the Opportunity Scholarship?
Awards for the 2025-26 year range between $3,458 to $7,686. Awards are based on household income. 

How do I apply?
Click this link to visit the NCSEAA website, where you can create a MyPortal account and complete the online application. Full instructions for how to apply are located here. 

When can I apply?
You may create your MyPortal account anytime. The Opportunity Scholarship application for the 2026-27 school year will open on February 2, 2026. Priority consideration is given to renewals and new applicants who apply in the first month. 

What is required to qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship?
Eligible students must be NC residents and be in a grade between K and 12 for the 2026-27 school year. An application must be completed with the NCSEAA. There is no longer an income cap to qualify, however, priority consideration for funding will be determined by household income. Current Opportunity scholars and new Opportunity scholars of lowest income households will be given funding priority; families must apply during the month of February to receive priority consideration.

My student currently receives the Opportunity Scholarship. Do I need to apply again?
Yes, you must reapply for the Opportunity Scholarship through NCSEAA each year. Beginning in late January, students who received funding the previous school year should receive communication from NCSEAA to renew their scholarship. Please log into your NCSEAA MyPortal account.

When will I find out if my student will receive an Opportunity Scholarship?
The NCSEAA expects families will receive notification by early April.

If my student receives the Opportunity Scholarship, should I also apply for NGFS tuition assistance (financial aid)?
If you need more assistance than your Opportunity Scholarship award, you may apply for NGFS tuition assistance (financial aid). The NGFS tuition assistance application is completed through FACTS. The NGFS Tuition Assistance Committee will consider the Opportunity Scholarship funds you receive when determining your award.

How does the certification and distribution of funds work?
The family should select NGFS as their school as soon as they are awarded the Opportunity Scholarship. NCSEAA funds come directly to the school in the form of 2 payments, one in the fall and one in the spring. This award will appear in your NGFS FACTS payment account, showing as a credit for the full award at the beginning of the school year. In September, NGFS certifies your student’s enrollment with the state. Once certified, you will need to enter your MyPortal account and “endorse” your child’s award. The same process applies for the spring semester. After you have signed off on the award, it will be distributed directly to the school.

As an Opportunity Scholar, will my student need to take a standardized test?
Yes, students receiving the Opportunity Scholarship are required to take a nationally standardized test each year they receive these funds. Test scores are reported to the state anonymously, and no minimum score is required to maintain the scholarship. Students in grade 11 will take the ACT. Opportunity scholars in grades 3 - 10 and 12 will take a nationally standardized test chosen by NGFS. Tests given in the past have included the ERB, Iowa, and Stanford 10. All tests will be administered
by NGFS.

Who can I contact if I have questions?
If you have a question about your application or award, contact the NCSEAA at 1-855-330-3955 or OpportunityScholarships@ncseaa.edu. For NCSEAA MyPortal login help, contact 1-855-763-5333 or loginhelp@ncseaa.edu. If you have a question about the tuition due for your NGFS student, contact Michael Hill in the NGFS finance office, mhill@ngfs.org. For any other questions, contact Pattie Midgett, Director of Enrollment Management, pmidgett@ngfs.org.