The Path Towards Fully Funding the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ Programs
In September, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a conference report (a budget bill), House Bill 10 (HB10), that would clear the OSP and ESA+ waitlists. This was a major step forward for expanded school choice in North Carolina and a massive relief for families who are on the waitlist. We are thankful to each parent and supporter who advocated for advancing this legislation. It is a huge accomplishment getting it through its first hurdle!
Unfortunately, we are disappointed that HB10 was vetoed by Governor Cooper. The Governor continues to oppose the Opportunity Scholarship Program, and his veto impacts special needs students by saying “no” to ESA+ funding, too.
Shortly after the Governor’s veto, PEFNC President, Mike Long, spoke to ABC11 about the situation and championed our state’s school choice programs.
"I feel that state funds, when it comes to education, should follow the child. That's why I applaud this legislature’s leadership who believes the same thing. Instead of investing in systems, we're investing in children, and we're allowing parents the economic freedom to make decisions as to what works best for them," said Long.
Although a veto is discouraging, the bill can still become law with an override by both chambers of the General Assembly. We anticipated an override vote in October, but then the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina.
Justifiably so, the General Assembly gathered to instead vote for relief to those who were impacted across Western North Carolina. PEFNC sends our thoughts and prayers to our friends and families in WNC who are impacted. We hope that these people and communities will recover quickly. Should PEFNC be able to help you, or your school community, please let us know.
The General Assembly will be back to work in late October and again in November. We believe that a vote for the veto override will likely take place mid-to-late November.
In the event that the veto is overridden and the bill becomes law, the bill directs the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) to award Opportunity Scholarship funds for the fall semester of the 2024-25 school year for all eligible students who are enrolled by October 1, 2024, in an eligible private school and who remain continuously enrolled in that same school for the spring semester. A student who receives an ESA+ award for the fall semester of the 2024-2025 school year and is also eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship will receive the award of the Opportunity Scholarship in the spring semester of the 2024-2025 school year only.
If a student’s tuition and fees have already been paid for all or a portion of the fall semester of the 2024-25 school year, after the private school receives scholarship funds from SEAA on behalf of the student, the school is responsible for directly reimbursing any funds paid, up to the amount of the funds disbursed on behalf of the student from SEAA, within 60 days of receipt of those funds from SEAA.
If HB10 becomes law, SEAA will provide more detailed guidance on the process.
We will keep you updated on any developments, as well as point you to the SEAA announcements page where they are housing important program announcements as it relates to HB10.
In the meantime, we urge the General Assembly to override the Governor’s veto of HB10 in November. We encourage you to urge your legislator to vote to override the veto of HB10 and fully fund the OSP and ESA+ waitlists.