Last verified: October 2026
What is the first step to paying for private school in Raleigh?
Find your Opportunity Scholarship tier, because that number shapes every other conversation. A Wake County household of four earning $100,000 sits in Tier 2, worth up to $7,148 a year per child in 2026-27.
Then confirm the school is on the 2026-27 Direct Payment list. If it is not, the state award cannot be paid there.
What comes after the state award?
Ask each school what you would owe after the award and what need-based aid, sibling discount or member rate applies. Catholic families can also ask about diocesan programs, and congregation schools often price members lower.
Can ESA+ and the Opportunity Scholarship be combined?
A student with a qualifying disability can apply to both programs, and NCSEAA lets families apply for them together. At a Direct Payment School, ESA+ pays tuition first and leftover funds can go to therapy, tutoring or devices.
How do older students cut the cost of high school?
Juniors and seniors can take tuition-free Career & College Promise courses at Wake Tech, Durham Tech or Johnston Community College. Private school students are eligible, and the credits can shorten a later college bill.
What does each 2026-27 tier pay?
| Tier | Household income | Annual maximum | Per semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | At or below the free and reduced-price lunch income line | $7,942 | $3,971 |
| Tier 2 | Above that line and up to twice it | $7,148 | $3,574 |
| Tier 3 | Above Tier 2 and up to 450% of the lunch line | $4,766 | $2,383 |
| Tier 4 | Above the Tier 3 limit, or income not reported | $3,574 | $1,787 |
Paid by the state vs Paid by the school or church: how do they compare?
| Paid by the state | Paid by the school or church |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ | Need-based aid, sibling discounts, member rates |
| Applied for through NCSEAA in a winter window | Applied for through each school on its own calendar |
| Same rules at every listed school | Different at every school |