Last verified: October 2026
Can ESA+ pay for the ACT, AP exams or school textbooks in Raleigh?
Yes. ESA+ can pay fees for nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement tests, AP exams and nationally recognized college entrance exams, and for core-subject textbooks your private or home school requires. All of these count toward the $500 rule.
ESA+Allowed
Counts toward the $500 requirement.
Opportunity ScholarshipOnly as a required school fee
Only when the school requires and bills the item.
What are the ESA+ rules for tests and textbooks?
- Textbooks must be required by the home or private school and cover a core subject.
- If a test or material is not on ClassWallet, email ESA@ncseaa.edu to ask about paying out of pocket and requesting reimbursement.
Allowed and not allowed
| ESA+ can pay for | ESA+ cannot pay for |
|---|---|
| ACT, SAT and AP exam fees | Optional reading books not required by the school |
| Required core-subject textbooks | Elective textbooks outside core subjects |
| National norm-referenced achievement tests |
How does tests and textbooks work for a Triangle family?
North Carolina home schools must give a nationally standardized test every year, so Triangle home-school families can often cover that test from the account and count it toward $500 at the same time.
Plan my child's ESA+ spending →
Source: NCSEAA ESA+ Parent Guide to Allowable Expenses, 2026-2027, and ESA+ Program Rules and Requirements. A plain-language summary, not legal advice.