Last verified: October 2026
Does ESA+ cover the SAT, ACT and AP exams for a Charlotte student?
Yes. ESA+ pays fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement tests, Advanced Placement exams and nationally recognized college entrance exams, and these count toward the $500 academic rule. Direct Payment Schools are responsible for testing their own ESA+ students.
If the test is not on the Marketplace, email ESA@ncseaa.edu about buying it and seeking reimbursement.
For scholarship students in grades 3, 8 and 11, NCSEAA pays the school the cost of the required test.
What are the ESA+ rules for test fees?
- Opportunity Scholarship schools give NCSEAA's designated test in grades 3 and 8 and the ACT in grade 11.
- Home-schooled students follow North Carolina's home school testing rules in addition to ESA+ requirements.
Allowed vs not allowed
| ESA+ can pay for | ESA+ cannot pay for |
|---|---|
| Norm-referenced achievement test fees | Test-prep courses that are not live tutoring |
| AP exam and SAT or ACT fees | Fees for tests that are not nationally standardized |
How does this work for a Charlotte-area family?
Charlotte high schoolers on ESA+ can pair AP exam fees with tuition-free Career & College Promise courses at Central Piedmont.
Plan my child's ESA+ spending →
Source: NCSEAA ESA+ Parent Guide to Allowable Expenses, 2026-27; ESA+ Program Rules and Requirements. A summary, not legal advice.