Want to send your child to a private school using an NC voucher? Here’s what to know.
North Carolina families are now getting information on how they’ll get taxpayer funded vouchers to pay for their private school tuition costs this school year.
This week, Republican lawmakers voted to provide an additional $463.5 million in Opportunity Scholarship funding over the veto of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The N.C. State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) has released a FAQ for the families of the 54,000 students who are on a wait list to get the funding.
The FAQ contains information such as how families on the wait list can still get a voucher this school year even if they’re not currently enrolled in a private school.
Here are some answers to questions about the process.
Who is eligible for a voucher?
During the first week of December, NCSEAA will begin awarding vouchers to eligible students who hadn’t previously gotten an award for this school year. Only the families who were placed on the wait list after applying during the Feb. 1 to March 1 application period are eligible for the new round of state funding.
Earlier this year, the NCSEAA awarded a limited number of scholarships before state funding ran out. Families who turned down an offer then or had the award canceled because they missed a deadline are not eligible now.
How do I find out if I’m on the voucher wait list?
NCSEAA will contact families of eligible students via email in early December. Copies of all email notifications will be visible on the authority’s MyPortal website.
NCSEAA is asking families to make sure their contact information is current in MyPortal.
Who is eligible this for a private school voucher this semester?
Fall semester awards will be given to wait list families who’ve been attending a private school since at least Oct. 1. They’ll also be eligible to receive an award for the spring semester.
Depending on the family’s income, people on the wait list will get $3,360 to $7,468 per child to cover private school costs for the school year. The higher awards will go to families with lower incomes.
GOP lawmakers eliminated income limits for getting an Opportunity Scholarship. More than 70% of this year’s applicants made too much money to have previously qualified for a voucher.
How can I get reimbursed for tuition payments?
NCSEAA expects to begin giving the Opportunity Scholarship payments to private schools beginning in January.
Once the money is disbursed, private schools must work directly with parents to reimburse any costs already paid that will now be covered by the scholarship. NCSEAA will provide guidance to schools on the reimbursement process.
What if I missed the Oct. 1 deadline?
Wait list families who weren’t in a private school as of Oct. 1 can still get funding for the spring semester. They’ll need to enroll in a private school by March 1.
This could be a game changer for families on the wait list who couldn’t afford to enroll in a private school without state assistance. Wealthier families on the wait list were more able financially to enroll their children in a private school this fall.
What happens if I reject the voucher?
Families will have three weeks to accept an award offer. Parents can ask the NCSEAA to convert it to an award that only covers the spring semester.
Families that reject the offer will not be automatically approved for an Opportunity Scholarship for the next school year. They’d have to reapply when the application period for the 2025-26 school year opens.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 12:11 PM with the headline "Want to send your child to a private school using an NC voucher? Here’s what to know.."
