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).  

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.

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. 

Awards for the 2026-27 year range between approximately $3,574 to $7,942. Awards are based on household income.

No, NGFS tuition is more than the maximum Opportunity Scholarship offered.  Tuition ranges from $17,795 for Kindergarten to $28,300 for high school. Families will be responsible for the balance of tuition.  Families receiving the Opportunity Scholarship may also apply for NGFS Tuition Assistance. Families should expect they will have a balance due after these sources of assistance. See the Tuition Assistance FAQ. 

No, when you apply for the Opportunity Scholarship you will be asked to select a school.  Your selection does not mean you are guaranteed a spot at the school.  you must apply for admission and go through the admissions process. This process includes meeting with Admissions staff, touring the school and having your student visit.  Please see this page for more information about the NGFS Admissions process.

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. See the Tuition Assistance FAQ.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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

The NCSEAA expects families will receive notification by early April.

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.

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.

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.