Opportunity Scholarship Program

September 26, 2023 

With the passage of the budget by the NC General Assembly, the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) expansion and funding gives priority to the lowest-income families before the highest-income families and removes the requirement that students must attend a public school before applying for the scholarship. At this point, the changes do not become law until the budget goes through the governor’s office.  Although the governor has always opposed the OSP, he indicated on Friday, September 22, 2023, that he will not veto the budget and it will become law after 10 days. The following changes will be implemented with the OSP expansion: 

• The first 50% of funds would be reserved for the lowest-income families, who would retain priority even once that threshold is reached.
• Higher-income families would receive scholarships in lesser dollars amounts, down to 45% of the maximum scholarship.
• With the OSP changes, a family of four earning $55,500 a year or less would get first priority, second priority to those earning $111,000 a year or less, third priority to those earning $249,750 a year or less, and then any remaining funds would be available to households earning incomes higher than these.
• The maximum scholarship amount would also rise from just above $6,000 to $7,213. The amount available to the highest-income families would be $3,246.
• The OSP expansion included in the budget would approximately double the current funding available for the OSP program, from $133 million last year to $263.5 million this year. Next year, the funding will be $354.5 million. It would top $400 million the year after that and rise above $500 million by the end of the decade.
• Because the OSP scholarships can amount to less than what the state spends on each public school student, the state will actually save money when students enroll in nonpublic schools.

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority administers the OSP for schools and families. The NCSEAA will incorporate all the new changes to the OSP. Information is available at their website:  https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity/. 

In addition, the NCSEAA administers the North Carolina’s Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program: https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/esa/. The ESA+ program exists to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Funds may be used to pay tuition and fees for eligible private schools, and for expenses such as speech therapy, tutoring services, and educational technology.

• The annual award provides $9,000. Students with certain designated disabilities may be eligible to receive $17,000 annually. 
• Families may choose from a variety of learning environments, including private schools, home schools, or co-enrollment.
• Eligibility is based on documentation of a disability and other program requirements.

The NCCSA is thankful for these changes to the OSP as it will provide more families the opportunity for Christian education for their children.

NCCSA State Office

October 10, 2023

The NCCSA had a conference call regarding the OSP expansion with a school last week and because the school mentioned that the content really helped them, we thought it would be wise to put together the notes from the meeting and send to all NCCSA administrators. In addition, the NCCSA is forwarding the September 26 email where the NCCSA provided a review of the recent changes to the OSP expansion. 

CLICK HERE to review NCCSA’s comments on a recent meeting regarding the OSP. Please use this information however it benefits you and your school.

NCCSA State Office