Opportunity Scholarships & Grants FOR STUDENTS
TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ACT, VISIThttp://www.schoolchoicenc.org/DM2013
Word of God Christian Academy is excited to announce that the North Carolina Legislature recently passed the following two laws that make private school a much more affordable option than ever before. Both the NC Opportunity Scholarships Act and the Special Education Grant for Students with Learning Disabilities, offers financial assistance to qualifying families who want to attend the private school of their choice! Please review the information below very carefully to see if your family can benefit from these amazing programs, and act fast!!!
Special Note: If your family qualifies, you may combine the Opportunity Scholarship with the Special Education Grant. If you have questions about these grants, please contact our office at (919)834-8200.
NC Opportunity Scholarship Act
Sponsor: North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)
Recipients: Qualifying families in grades K-12. To see if you might quaify, visit www.schoolchoicenc.org now!
Purpose: The Opportunity Scholarships Act is a new program for students currently attending public schools whose household income qualifies for free or reduced lunch in NC public schools. The eligibility criteria for the first academic year, 2017-18, differ for subsequent years. Please see the chart below for below for eligibility criteria.
Award Amount: Up to $4,200! Though the amount cannot exceed the actual cost of tuition and fees.
Requirements: (1) Reside in a household with an income level not in excess of the amount required to qualify for federal free or reduced lunch program. (2) Be a full-time student who has not graduated from high school and attended a NC public school during the 2014 spring semester.
School Contact: Anglea Anderson, Administrative Assistant (919) or aanderson@guoanqm.com
Income Eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships: (These #s are scheduled to change annually.)
| Persons in Household | FY 2017-18 Eligibility 100% | FY 2017-18 Eligibility 90% |
| 2 | $30,044 | $39,959 |
| 3 | $37,777 | $50,243 |
| 4 | $45,510 | $60,528 |
| 5 | $53,243 | $70,813 |
| 6 | $60,976 | $81,098 |
| 7 | $68,709 | $91,383 |
| 8 | $76,442 | $101,668 |
Beginning with the 2017-18 academic year, students will be eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship Act if they have not yet received a high school diploma and meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Was a full-time student assigned to and attending a public school during the previous semester.
- Received a scholarship during the previous school year.
- Is entering kindergarten or the first grade.
- Is a child in foster care.
- Is a child whose adoption decree was entered not more than a year prior to applying for the scholarship.
NC Special Education Grants for Children with Disabilities
Sponsor: North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)
Recipients: Qualifying families in grades K-12
Purpose: The Special Education Scholarship Grants for Children with Disabilities is a new program created by the North Carolina General Assembly for students who are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade in North Carolina non-public schools. The grant program reimburses parents and guardians for eligible qualified expenses for their children.
Amount: Grants of up to $3,000 per semester / $6,000 per year – regardless of income are available for eligible children with disabilities enrolled in a private school. This grant will reimburse parents / guardians for tuition and special education or related services for children.
Requirements: A child must meet at least one of these requirements: (1) Was enrolled in a NC public school during the previous semester; or (2) Received special education or related services through a NC public school as a preschooler with a disability during the previous semester; or (3) Received scholarship grant (tax credit) for the previous semester; or (4) Is eligible for enrollment in kindergarten or 1st grade in a NC public school.
A child must meet all of these requirements:
(1) Must require an IEP and be receiving special education or related services on a daily basis; (2) Must be under the age of 22 and must not have received a high school diploma; (3) Cannot have been placed in a non-public school of facility by a public agency at public expense; and (4) Must not have spent any time enrolled in a post-secondary institution as a full-time student taking at least 12 hours of academic credit.
Eligibility for the 2017-2018 Academic Year and Beyond
Students will be eligible if they have not yet received a high school diploma and meet at least one of the following requirements:
1. was a full-time student assigned to and attending a public school during the previous semester.
2. received a scholarship the previous school year.
3. is entering kindergarten or first grade
4. is in foster care.
5. is a child whose adoption decree was entered not more than a year prior to applying for the scholarship.
Beginning with the 2017-2017 school year and beyond, students must reside in a household with an income level not in excess of 133% of the amount required for the student to qualify for federal free or reduced-price lunch programs.
Maximum Scholarship Amounts for 2017-18 and later years
Up to $4,200 per year for eligible children at 100%*
Up to $3,750 per year for eligible children at 90%*
*You are responsible for the difference. between tuition rate vs amount awarded for scholarship.
For more details or answers to questions, contact OpportunityScholarships@ncseaa.edu or call toll free, .
Additional information is available at www.ncseaa.edu