ESA+ education accounts for students with disabilities, explained
ESA+ is a North Carolina program that gives families of students with disabilities money for private school tuition, tutoring, therapies and other education costs. Here is who qualifies, what it pays for, and when to apply.
General information, not legal or financial advice. The NC State Education Assistance Authority makes all award decisions.
The short version
- Who it's for: North Carolina students with disabilities, kindergarten through 12th grade, who attend a private school, homeschool, or split time between public and private school.
- How much: up to $9,000 a year, or up to $17,000 a year for students whose disability is autism or certain other conditions.
- What you need: an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school, issued in the last three years.
- When to apply: the application opens the first Monday in February and closes in early March. Awards are made by lottery until funding runs out.
Two things families often miss
ESA+ only accepts an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school. Letters from doctors or private psychologists and 504 plans are not accepted. This is the opposite of Medicaid's 1915(i) services, which need a medical diagnosis.
You can only apply from early February to early March. Applications aren't first come, first served. They go into a lottery, and awards are made until funding runs out.
Award amounts
The higher amount depends on the primary area of disability listed on your child's school eligibility determination.
Is ESA+ a fit for your child?
Step 1 — Does your child have an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school, from the last three years?
Yes: Go to step 2. Check the primary area of disability listed on it.
No: Ask your child's public school for a special education evaluation, in writing. Our evaluation guide explains how. See our IEP vs. 504 guide for a sample request letter.
Step 2 — Where will your child go to school?
Private school or homeschool: ESA+ can help. Go to step 3.
Part public, part private: Part-time students can apply for half the award. Go to step 3.
Full time in public school: ESA+ isn't for students attending public school full time.
Step 3 · February to early March — Apply in MyPortal
Create a MyPortal account on the NC State Education Assistance Authority website, submit one application per child, and upload the eligibility determination right away.
Step 4 · Early May — Check your award
Results are posted in MyPortal in early May. If your child gets an award, they must be enrolled and attending a school by October 1.
What ESA+ can pay for
- Private school tuition and fees, and required textbooks
- Tutoring and teaching services from an accredited provider
- Curriculum, for homeschool or private school
- Educational therapies from a licensed or accredited provider
- Approved educational technology
- Student transportation from a transportation company
- Standardized, AP and college entrance test fees
- Individual classes and extracurricular programs at a public school
- Starting fall 2026, art and music tutoring, such as painting, dance, theater and music lessons
To renew each year, families must spend at least $500 per student on core academic subjects: math, science, English/language arts or social studies.
How the money works
Private school families
- Tuition comes first Funds go to tuition first. Anything left can pay for other allowable expenses.
- Direct payment or reimbursement Some schools are paid directly by the state. At others, you pay tuition and submit receipts each semester to be reimbursed.
Homeschool families
- Funds go to ClassWallet The state deposits your award into a ClassWallet account twice a year, for fall and spring.
- Pay approved providers Use the whole award for allowable expenses, such as tutoring, curriculum and therapies from providers enrolled with the program.
The year at a glance
Questions? Call the program
Find providers who accept ESA+
Type "ESA+" into the search on AutismResources.ai to find providers in your city who accept it. Confirm with the provider before you book.
For providers: how to accept ESA+
Therapists, tutors and other providers enroll through the NCSEAA Provider Portal. You'll need your service types, the number of employees who will receive payments, and copies of your professional credentials, such as a therapy license. Review takes about two weeks, and approved providers are paid through ClassWallet.
Sources
- NCSEAA: The Education Student Accounts (ESA+)
- NCSEAA: ESA+ frequently asked questions
- NCSEAA: How to apply
- NCSEAA: Documentation of a disability
- NCSEAA: Program rules and requirements
- NCSEAA: How scholarship funds work
- NCSEAA: Service provider enrollment
- NC General Statutes § 115C-591: Eligibility
- NC General Statutes § 115C-592: Award amounts
- NC General Statutes § 115C-595: Qualifying expenses
How much is ESA+ for a student with autism?
Up to $17,000 a year for students whose disability is autism, hearing impairment, moderate or severe intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment or visual impairment. Up to $8,500 for students enrolled part time in public school and part time in a private school. The higher amount depends on the primary area of disability listed on your child's school eligibility determination.
Does ESA+ accept a doctor's diagnosis?
ESA+ only accepts an eligibility determination from a North Carolina public school. Letters from doctors or private psychologists and 504 plans are not accepted.
When can I apply for ESA+?
The application opens the first Monday in February and closes in early March. Awards are made by lottery until funding runs out.