RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A huge spike in applications for North Carolina’s school voucher program means most high-income families will not receive financial aid next year, even if the General Assembly removes the program’s income limits. means that it cannot be The News & Observer reports there is not enough money to accommodate the number of new applicants, which will increase sixfold this year to 72,000. All are seeking grants to send their children to private K-12 schools through the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Raleigh and WRAL-TV.
Lawmakers also made the first grants available to current private school students in 2023.
North Carolina reports more than 400,000 people enrolled in Medicaid expansion program
State law requires programs to first provide scholarships to existing voucher holders. This year he more than 32,500 students received this program. This is followed by applicants with the lowest incomes. For example, her family of four has a maximum income of $57,720. Families with incomes up to twice that amount as she does will be given priority in the next group.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper called for a pause on expansion of the school voucher program until public schools are fully funded. (Photo by Alison Joyce/Getty Images)
According to media reports, authorities said they have awarded new vouchers worth up to $7,468 per child to more than 13,500 applicants in the lowest income brackets. Applicants have until April 19th to decide whether to accept the award.
Based on numbers so far, only some applicants in the next tier will receive scholarships, officials said. These applicants will receive $6,722 per child. How many people win the award depends on how many applicants from the lowest income bracket accept the offer.
Officials said there are no funds available for higher-income groups, such as families of four with annual incomes of more than $115,440.
Lawmakers provided $293.5 million for the program for the 2024-25 school year, The News & Observer reported. The current state budget envisions transferring more public funds to scholarship funds over the next decade, reaching more than $500 million annually by fall 2031.
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There is still a chance that the General Assembly will increase next year’s voucher funding to help more students. The budget reconciliation session begins on April 24th.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a longtime critic of the scholarships, has called for a pause on the program’s expansion until public schools are fully funded. Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate.
