North Carolina Christian Schools See Surge in Students and Funding From Opportunity Scholarships

Private Christian schools across North Carolina are enrolling more students and receiving more money after the state expanded its Opportunity Scholarship Program to all K-12 families regardless of income.

The program, administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, now offers annual awards ranging from $3,574 to $7,942 per student. Families with lower incomes receive larger grants, but even households with no income cap can qualify for the base tier.

For the 2026-2027 school year, a family of four earning up to $61,050 qualifies for the top award of $7,942. Families earning up to $122,100 receive up to $7,148. Those earning up to $274,725 get up to $4,766, and all other families receive up to $3,574.

Christian school administrators say the influx of scholarship students has filled classrooms and helped stabilize budgets. Some schools have added staff and expanded programs to meet demand.

But not everyone is celebrating. A number of Christian school leaders have expressed concern about accepting government money, citing worries about future regulatory strings attached to the scholarships. Some fear that state funding could eventually come with requirements that conflict with their religious mission or admissions policies.

Applications for the program open each February, with priority given to those who apply before March 1. Scholarship offers go out in April, and families must accept or decline through the state's online portal.

The program also includes an Education Student Accounts option for students with disabilities, offering up to $17,000 annually for qualifying students.

North Carolina joins a growing list of states that have expanded school choice programs in recent years. Supporters say the scholarships give low- and middle-income families access to schools that were previously out of reach.