North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship program helps families pay for private-school tuition and fees. In 2026, the program remained open for 2026–27 applications, while reporting said the program served more than 100,000 students and distributed roughly $587 million to $589 million after expansion, prompting a state audit. Supporters say vouchers give families options when public schools are not the right fit. Critics say large voucher spending can divert attention and money from public schools, especially if funds go to families already using private schools or to schools with less public accountability. Parents want real choices, but taxpayers also deserve to know whether the money is helping students who needed help or just subsidizing choices already made.