Last verified: October 2026
Who qualifies for ESA+ in Charlotte?
A Charlotte student qualifies for ESA+ if a North Carolina public school (or a DoD school in the state) has issued a special education eligibility determination in the past three years. An IEP itself is not required; the eligibility determination document is.
The student must be in kindergarten through 12th grade and live in North Carolina on the first day of school. Families can apply for ESA+ and the Opportunity Scholarship at the same time.
How much does ESA+ pay for the 2026-27 school year?
ESA+ pays $9,000 a year in the base award and $17,000 a year when autism, hearing impairment, moderate or severe intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment or visual impairment is listed as a primary or secondary disability. The statute halves both amounts for an eligible part-time student.
Only the higher award can carry money forward: up to $4,500 rolls into the next year, and the account may never hold more than $30,000. Unspent base-award money goes back to NCSEAA at year end.
What does ESA+ require families to spend on academics?
Every ESA+ family must spend at least $500 per student per year on tuition or on math, science, English and social studies curriculum, tutoring, textbooks or standardized testing to renew. Therapy, technology, art and music lessons and transportation do not count toward that $500.
Purchases run through the ClassWallet Marketplace or SEAA-enrolled providers, and orders are capped at ten items in one expense category. Our ESA+ spending guide breaks every category down.
Can a Charlotte homeschool family use ESA+?
Yes. A home-school family uses the entire ESA+ award on allowable expenses, while a private school family pays tuition first and spends any remainder. Parents of full-time private or home school students sign an LEA release, which pauses public school special education services while the account is funded.
ESA+ (Education Student Accounts): what it is and isn't
| ESA+ covers | ESA+ does not cover |
|---|---|
| Licensed speech, occupational and ABA therapy from SEAA-enrolled providers | Chiropractic care |
| One computer, one tablet and one interactive whiteboard every three years | Internet or cell service, game consoles, repairs or used devices |
| Live tutoring in core subjects, art and music lessons (new for 2026-27) | Art and music supplies, or martial arts and gymnastics classes |
| Transportation from an enrolled provider under a signed contract | Next year's enrollment deposit |