North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)

State-wide Funding and Resources from the NCSEAA

If your child has been diagnosed with a learning disability or reading difficulty, you may be struggling for answers and next steps. We understand that you may feel overwhelmed as a parent who wants the best for your child. Luckily, there are resources and funding available from the state of North Carolina for students who qualify.

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) is a state-level agency that provides funding and resources for special education students. The NCSEAA offers grants, scholarships, reimbursement programs, and tax credits so parents can access the services they need for their child’s educational growth. 

Now, let’s run through several options that may be available to you.

The Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program

Thanks to North Carolina’s Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program established by the North Carolina General Assembly, qualified tutors and schools around the state are available to families as scholarship providers. This program provides financial aid to families to cover educational expenses for children with disabilities.

In order to be eligible, North Carolina children must:

Have a disability that requires special education as documented by an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)

  • Autism
  • Hearing Impairment
  • Moderate or Severe Intellectual or Developmental Disability
  • Multiple, Permanent Orthopedic Impairments
  • Visual Impairment

Meet the minimum age requirement determined each year

Not have graduated from high school

Not be enrolled in a post-secondary education institution full-time

Be eligible to attend public school in North Carolina

If your child meets the IEP requirement along with the other qualifications, you may be eligible for financial assistance through the ESA+ program. For example, annual awards start at $9,000 and go up to $17,000. 

ESA+ program funds may be used to pay tuition for eligible private schools and specialized resources such as speech therapy, tutoring services, and educational technology. Your family can choose what is best for your child when it comes to a variety of learning environments, such as private school, home school, or co-enrollment. 

You can use ESA+ funds for:

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Tutoring
  • Educational Therapy
  • Curricula
  • Educational Technology
  • Transportation to and from educational activities
  • Textbooks
  • Standardized Test Fees

Pam’s Reading is an approved ESA+ provider in North Carolina. With funding from the ESA+ program, you can give your child the opportunity to receive one-on-one support from experienced professionals and qualified educational institutions.

North Carolina Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account

You may also be wondering how to save money for your child’s future expenses, such as college tuition, housing, assistive technology, and more. There is a special savings account available to do just that. 

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program was launched in 2017 and allows people with disabilities and their families to set aside up to $17,000 per year while remaining eligible for Medicaid, Social Security, and other public assistance. NC ABLE accounts are designed for individuals with the occurrence of disability before the age of 26. There are also great tax advantages, and balances up to $100,000 are excluded from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit. 

This money can be used for any disability-related expenses, such as:

  • Education
  • Health and wellness
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Legal fees
  • Financial management
  • Employment training and support
  • Assistive technology
  • Personal support services
  • Oversight and monitoring
  • Funeral and burial expenses
When it comes to growing the funds placed in your NC ABLE Account, there are a variety of risk-based options ranging from aggressive options seeking higher returns to conservative investments that place capital preservation over growth. This way you have control over how this money is being invested.

Hundreds of North Carolina families are taking advantage of this tax-free withdrawal savings program. Overseen by the Department of State Treasurer and the Board of Trustees, NC ABLE currently has over 1,900 account holders with more than $20 million in assets and an average account balance of nearly $10,500.

NC ABLE accounts can be opened by an eligible individual or by the account owner’s parent, guardian, or person acting under a power of attorney. In addition, NC ABLE accounts can be funded by the account owner, family, or friends, and in some cases, funds can also be transferred to an NC ABLE account from a 529 college savings account. This means anyone in your child’s life can contribute to their long-term financial stability and success over the years. Learn more about the NC ABLE Program here to see if your child qualifies for enrollment.

Bonus Information: South Carolina Parents

If you don’t reside in North Carolina, there are still options available. There is a program similar to NC ABLE but for South Carolina citizens called the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program. It allows individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save and invest money while maintaining eligibility for important needs-based benefits. Learn more about the Palmetto ABLE Savings Program here to see if you qualify.

Pam’s Reading Approach to Tutoring for Learning Disabilities

At Pam’s Reading, we understand the struggles that come with learning difficulties and are committed to helping your child overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. Thanks to funding from the NCSEAA, it is now easier than ever to improve your child’s reading, writing, and spelling skills with a tutoring plan tailored to their needs.

With our expertise and resources, we can help your child achieve academic success. Our professional tutors are trained in the Orton Gillingham philosophy and have many years of experience working with students with various learning challenges.

Fill out our contact form today to learn more about how to access NCSEAA funding and get your student on the track to success.

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