Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship helps North Carolina families pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship helps North Carolina families pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
Applications are open for the 2026-27 school year!
The priority application period for 2026-2027 Opportunity Scholarships for new students runs from February 2 through March 2. For more information, visit How to Apply. For application assistance, call 855-330-3955 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Current Scholarship Families: Check your student's MyPortal To-Do List for a renewal offer. Visit Renew Your Student's Scholarship to learn more.
About the Program
Have questions? You’re in the right place. Since 2014, we’ve helped families across North Carolina apply for educational funds through the Opportunity Scholarship.
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Who can apply for an Opportunity Scholarship?
North Carolina families of students entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
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How much money is it?
Awards range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, based on a family’s household income.
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How can the money be used?
The money can be used to pay for tuition and other required fees to attend registered private schools.
How to Apply
Visit the How to Apply page for important information and resources to help you apply for the Opportunity Scholarship.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Already awarded?
If you’ve already received your award you can learn more about next steps and find additional resources.
Resources
Additional Resources
Find further resources and information about the Opportunity Scholarship program, how it works, how to apply and what the requirements are.
Frequently asked questions
No. The Opportunity Scholarship may only be used for students entering traditional Kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must be at least 5 years old by August 31 of that school year or at least 4 years old by April 16 before the school year for which they are applying, and approved for traditional Kindergarten according to State guidelines.
No, but more than 700 schools are currently registered to receive program funds. We call these “Direct Payment Schools”. Find a school on the list of Direct Payment Schools.
No. Students are not required to be enrolled in a private school when they apply. However, Opportunity Scholarship funds can only be used for tuition and fees at registered private schools. If a student is awarded a scholarship, they must be enrolled in and attending a registered private school, also known as a Direct Payment School, by October 1 to use scholarship funds for the fall semester.
Yes. Families relocating to North Carolina may apply for the Opportunity Scholarship as long as they are physically residing within the State at the time of enrollment in the nonpublic school and meet residency documentation requirements no later than October 1.
Not always. The scholarship amount varies by award tier and may not cover the full cost of tuition and fees of every school. If a school’s tuition and fees exceed the student’s award amount, families are responsible for paying the difference.