For many North Carolina families raising children with disabilities, the cost of developmental evaluations, educational supports, and related services can add up quickly. The Education Student Accounts (ESA+) program was created to help eligible families pay for education and services that support their child's learning and development.
At NeuroKids Developmental Pediatrics, we are an enrolled ESA+ provider approved to accept ESA+ scholarship funds. This guide explains how the program works and what families should consider before using ESA+ to pay for care.
What Is the ESA+ Scholarship?
ESA+ scholarship funds help North Carolina families pay for education and services for children with disabilities. The program is administered by the State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) and is designed to give families more flexibility in how they support their child's educational needs.
Award amounts and eligibility requirements are determined by SEAA. Families should always refer to the official program website for the most current rules and application timelines.
What Expenses May Qualify?
North Carolina families can use ESA+ scholarship funds to pay for certain qualifying education expenses, such as:
- Educational therapy
- Tutoring and supplemental teaching services
- Transportation to and from an educational activity
All purchases are subject to review and approval by SEAA. This means families should not assume every service automatically qualifies—even when provided by an enrolled vendor.
NeuroKids as an Enrolled Provider
NeuroKids Developmental Pediatrics is an enrolled provider for the ESA+ scholarship and is approved to accept ESA+ scholarship funds. Our team provides developmental-behavioral pediatric evaluations, follow-up care, school advocacy guidance, and family-centered support planning.
However, not all services we offer may meet the criteria for qualifying education expenses under the ESA+ scholarship. Prior to committing to a service, we encourage families to:
- Review current ESA+ program guidelines on the official SEAA website
- Contact ESA@ncseaa.edu with specific questions about eligibility
- Confirm whether a planned NeuroKids service qualifies before scheduling
Planning Thoughtfully
Using ESA+ funds well requires planning. Families often find it helpful to identify their primary clinical goals first—such as diagnostic clarity, school documentation, or ongoing medication management—and then confirm with SEAA whether those services align with allowable educational expenses.
Our team can help you understand what NeuroKids offers clinically, while SEAA remains the authoritative source for scholarship rules and reimbursement decisions.
Next Steps
Visit our ESA+ scholarship page for a full overview, or complete our intake form to begin the conversation about your child's needs.
For official program information, visit the ESA+ program website.
