Tuition Assistance

Opportunity Scholarship

On October 3, 2023, the North Carolina State Budget (House Bill 259) became law. The new law authorizes several changes to the State's Opportunity Scholarship Program, which will begin with the 2024-2025 school year.

Changes for the 2024-2025 school year include:

  • Removal of the income cap for families to receive the scholarship; now all North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for the Scholarship regardless of income.
  • Prior public school enrollment is no longer a requirement for eligibility for the scholarship.
  • A student's scholarship amount will be based on household income.
  • Scholarship amounts will range from approximately $3,000 to approximately $7,000.

The Opportunity Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year will open on February 1, 2024. Families must apply by March 1 to receive priority consideration. More information about the application process will be available on the program website in January.  Every North Carolina family will have the option of applying for tuition assistance for K - 12 private schools.

The Opportunity Scholarship is an income-based program that helps families pay tuition and fees at Direct Payment Schools. *Awards up to $7213 per scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year.

Opportunity Scholarship Timeline

  • Applications will be made available no later than Feb 1, 2024. Beginning March 15, the Authority will begin awarding scholarship grants to students who have applied by March 1, 2024.

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment program is designed to advise the Principal of the financial needs of families in awarding financial aid at St. Mary School. All applications for financial aid will be processed and evaluated through FACTS.

1. Confidential
2. One application per family
3. Applications retained for easy re-application
4. Quality Assessment
5. Comprehensive evaluation



Black and Indian Mission (BIMO) Tuition Assistance Program

The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Education awards this scholarship for students of African American and Native American Ancestry.


Joshua 1:9 Scholarship Program

Joshua 1:9 Scholarship Fund is an endowed Component Fund of the NC Community Foundation.  The fund is dedicated to providing financial assistance to St. Mary Catholic School families whose children are African American, Hispanic, or who are children of a single parent.  To apply, families submit their financial information via the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Portal.