Last verified: October 2026
What should Charlotte parents ask a private school about aid?
Ask three things: whether the school is a Direct Payment School for 2026-27, what you would owe after your tier award is applied, and what aid the school adds on top. Many schools apply the state award first and then calculate need on the balance.
Also ask about required fees. State law lets the scholarship cover required fees for books, transportation and equipment, and it bars a school from charging extra fees because a student is a scholarship recipient.
School-Based Tuition Assistance: what it is and isn't
| School aid is | School aid is not |
|---|---|
| Discretionary and set by each school's budget | Guaranteed by state law |
| Usually calculated after state awards are applied | A replacement for applying to NCSEAA |