North Carolina Education Student Accounts (ESA+) guide for parents

The ESA+ program gives North Carolina families more choice in how they support their child’s education. If your child has a documented disability, this program can help cover the cost of private school, homeschooling resources, therapies, and other learning tools that match their needs.

The state of North Carolina manages the ESA+ program and provides funds through an online account managed byClassWallet. Families can use those funds for approved educational expenses, making it easier to create a personalized learning path. 

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If you’re looking for a complete breakdown of who qualifies and what the funds can be spent on, visit NCSEAA’s official website. Alternatively, you can also find links to NCSEAA’s guide on specific queries below. 

Explore NCSEAA resources

• ESA+ program overview
• Allowable expenses
• How to apply
• Program resources
• Families of ESA+ awarded students

Additional things to keep in mind

Once your child is awarded ESA+ funds, there are a few key guidelines to follow. These help ensure the funds are appropriately used and continue to support your child’s education.

• Use funds only for provider-enrolled expenses: ESA+ can only be spent on qualified educational services and materials listed by the program. Non-educational items aren’t eligible.
• Keep receipts and records: You may be asked to provide proof of purchase, especially for reimbursements or during routine reviews.
• Misuse of funds may lead to removal: Spending ESA+ money on non-approved items may result in losing access to the program.

If you’re ever unsure about what qualifies, it’s always best to double-check the guidelines or reach out to the program team directly. Following the rules helps protect your child’s funding and keeps everything running smoothly.

Frequently asked questions: North Carolina ESA+ Program

Below are some of the most common things families ask when researching ESA+. These quick answers can help you feel more confident as you take the next steps.

What if my child doesn’t have an eligibility determination yet?

Before applying for ESA+, your child must have an official Eligibility Determination from a North Carolina public school.

Can we still apply if we're moving to North Carolina?

Yes, once all other eligibility requirements are met and your child is living in North Carolina by the time their school year begins, you may apply for ESA+.

Is ESA+ available for preschoolers or transitional kindergarten students?

At this time, ESA+ is not currently available for preschool. However, students who are at least 4 years old by April 16 may qualify if approved for early kindergarten under state guidelines. Check the official site for the most up-to-date guidelines.

Do students need to meet academic standards to stay eligible?

While ESA+ doesn’t require students to meet specific test score benchmarks, students must receive instruction in core academic subjects like English, math, science, and social studies.

For the complete and most up-to-date information on required tests, you may visit the NCSEAA website.

Do I need to spend a minimum amount each year?

Yes. Families must spend at least $1,000 per year on tuition or approved academic expenses in subjects like English language arts, math, science, or social studies. If this requirement isn’t met, your child may not be eligible to renew ESA+ funding the following year.

Can I use my child’s ESA+ funds for Outschool?

Outschool is an Enrolled Provider, making it simple for families to purchase classes through ClassWallet under the ESA+ program. Outschool offers a wide variety of classes across various subjects and interests, and the marketplace filters make it easy to find courses that qualify for ESA+.

Need help or have more questions?

If you need help at any point during the process, the NCSEAA has resources and support available to guide you through applications, eligibility, and spending rules.

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For the most up-to-date information, visit the official ESA+ program page or reach out by:

• Phone: 855-330-3955
• Email: ESA@ncseaa.edu

Whether you’re just getting started or have specific questions about your child’s eligibility, the program team is there to help you confidently navigate the next steps.

More resources for parents

If you’re looking for information on ESA programs in other states, you can find our parent-friendly guides here!