How to Use North Carolina ESA+ Funds for Homeschool Curriculum

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How to Use North Carolina ESA+ Funds for Homeschool Curriculum

If you already have North Carolina ESA+ funds available, the next question is usually very practical:

How do I actually use these funds to buy homeschool curriculum?

That is where many families get stuck.

It is one thing to know that curriculum may qualify. It is another thing to understand how to actually use your ESA+ funds once they are in ClassWallet, how to purchase correctly, and how to choose resources that truly support your child.

As an educator, curriculum writer, and homeschool mom, I understand why this can feel confusing at first. Many families are not just looking for “curriculum.” They are trying to find a reading program, handwriting support, early learning books, or other educational resources that make sense for home use.

If you want to use North Carolina ESA+ funds for Grooved Learning books, this guide will walk you through the process.

You can also start by visiting our state funding page to see where Grooved Learning participates and how funding works by state.

What Is North Carolina ESA+?

North Carolina’s ESA+ program provides scholarship funds that families can use for qualifying education expenses for eligible students. NCSEAA says ESA+ families use the program to pay for education and services for children with disabilities.

For families who homeschool, NCSEAA specifically says ESA+ parents may use funds for educational therapies, tutoring, curriculum, and technology. It also notes that ESA+ cannot pay tuition on behalf of students in a home school.

That is why families often search things like:

• North Carolina ESA+ homeschool curriculum

• ESA+ reading curriculum

• ClassWallet curriculum North Carolina

• ESA+ handwriting resources

• how to use ESA+ funds in ClassWallet

Before You Buy Anything

Before making a purchase, confirm these three things:

1. Your student has been awarded ESA+ funds.

1. Your ClassWallet account is active.

1. The product or service you want fits ESA+ allowable expense rules.

This matters because NCSEAA’s Parent Guide says that while the ClassWallet Marketplace contains thousands of products, that does not mean they can all be purchased with ESA+ funds. Families are told to use the allowable expenses guide to confirm eligibility.

Step 1: Log In to ClassWallet

North Carolina ESA+ families use ClassWallet to manage purchases and provider payments. NCSEAA says ESA+ families use ClassWallet to pay enrolled service providers and purchase products from an online marketplace.

So the first step is simple:

Log into your ClassWallet account.

This is the platform you will use to shop for products and submit payments for approved services.

Step 2: Decide What Type of Resource You Need

Before you start searching, be clear about what you actually need to buy.

For example, are you looking for:

• a reading and spelling program

• handwriting books

• early learning resources

• cursive books

• reusable practice books

This helps you stay focused on your child’s actual needs instead of making random purchases.

At Grooved Learning, families often shop by need. You can start browsing here:

Shop All Grooved Learning Books

Step 3: Understand the 2 Main ESA+ Purchase Paths

For North Carolina ESA+, families generally use two main purchase methods:

• Products through the ClassWallet Marketplace

• Services through enrolled ESA+ providers, submitted in ClassWallet

NCSEAA’s ClassWallet page says families purchase products from the online marketplace, and provider guidance explains that parents submit provider invoices through ClassWallet for services.

That means the key question is not just:

“Can I buy this?”

It is also:

“Do I need to buy this through the Marketplace or submit it as a provider payment?”

Step 4: Use the ClassWallet Marketplace for Products

If you are purchasing curriculum, books, or other educational products, the ClassWallet Marketplace is the first place to look.

NCSEAA’s allowable expenses guide says the ClassWallet Marketplace is the only place parents can purchase products with ESA+ funds. The homeschool families page is even more direct: there is no reimbursement for purchases; parents shop for products on the ClassWallet Marketplace and submit invoices in ClassWallet only for services from enrolled providers.

This is one of the most important things to understand:

For products, start in the Marketplace.

Do not assume you should buy first out of pocket.

Step 5: Search the Marketplace for the Right Product Category

Once you are in ClassWallet, search intentionally.

Think about the type of educational support your child needs right now.

For example:

Choose reading and spelling support if:

• your child is struggling to read

• spelling feels disconnected

• you want a more structured literacy approach

Choose handwriting support if:

• your child resists writing

• handwriting feels frustrating

• letter or number reversals are common

• pencil control needs support

Choose early learning resources if:

• your child is preschool or early elementary

• you are building foundational readiness skills

• you want support with letters, numbers, shapes, and fine motor development

Choose cursive if:

• your child is ready for connected writing

• you want more meaningful cursive practice

• you want something more supportive than a flat workbook

If you want to preview Grooved Learning resources before purchasing, start here:

Shop All Grooved Learning Books

Then use ClassWallet to purchase through the approved ESA+ path.

Step 6: Example of Buying Grooved Learning Books with ESA+ Funds

If you want to use North Carolina ESA+ funds for Grooved Learning books, the practical process looks like this:

1. Log into your ClassWallet account.

1. Go to the Marketplace.

1. Search for the vendor or approved product path.

1. Find the Grooved Learning books that best match your child’s needs.

1. Add the items to your Marketplace cart.

1. Complete checkout through ClassWallet.

1. Save your confirmation for your records.

The key point is this:

Use the Marketplace for products.

NCSEAA says the Marketplace is the only place parents can purchase products with ESA+ funds.

Step 7: Use Provider Payments Only for Services

Services work differently.

If your child receives a service from an enrolled ESA+ provider, the provider gives the parent an invoice, and the parent submits the invoice through ClassWallet. NCSEAA’s provider introduction document lays this out step by step.

So if you are buying books or curriculum products, use the Marketplace.

If you are paying for an approved service, use the provider invoice process in ClassWallet.

Step 8: Do Not Plan on Reimbursement for Products

This is one of the most important practical points for North Carolina ESA+ families.

NCSEAA’s homeschool families page says:

No, parents will not be reimbursed for products or services they pay for out of pocket.

Instead, parents buy products through the Marketplace and submit provider invoices in ClassWallet for services.

So the safer approach is:

• do not buy products with personal funds first

• use the Marketplace for product purchases

• use ClassWallet correctly from the start

Step 9: Save Your Documentation

Even when the transaction goes smoothly, save your documentation.

Keep:

• order confirmations

• invoices if applicable

• screenshots if needed

• product information

• transaction confirmations

This is just good habit and can make things easier if you need support later.

Step 10: Double-Check the Expense Category

Before purchasing, make sure the product category is allowable.

NCSEAA’s allowable expenses pages include a specific curriculum section and explain that curricula and curriculum materials must meet ESA+ requirements to be purchased with funds. NCSEAA also notes that curriculum companies must become vendors on the ClassWallet Marketplace for their products to be available for purchase by ESA+ families.

So the best process is:

• confirm the category

• shop through ClassWallet Marketplace

• complete the purchase through the correct ESA+ path

Why This Matters for Grooved Learning Families

For families who want to use North Carolina ESA+ funds for Grooved Learning books, the question is not only:

“Can curriculum qualify?”

It is also:

• how do I use ClassWallet correctly?

• should I use the Marketplace or provider payment?

• can I buy first and get reimbursed later?

• which Grooved Learning resource best fits my child?

Once those questions are clear, the purchase process becomes much simpler.

A Simple Checklist Before You Purchase

Before buying Grooved Learning books with North Carolina ESA+ funds, use this checklist:

• log into ClassWallet

• confirm your ESA+ funds are available

• decide which type of resource your child needs

• use the Marketplace for products

• choose the correct Grooved Learning books

• complete checkout in ClassWallet

• save your documentation

Where to Start with Grooved Learning

If you want to understand how Grooved Learning works with state funding, start here:

Explore our state funding page

If you are ready to browse products, start here:

Shop All Grooved Learning Books

A Final Encouragement

If using North Carolina ESA+ funds has felt confusing, that is very normal.

The process becomes much easier when you break it into steps:

• log in

• confirm your funds

• identify the right product category

• use the Marketplace for products

• complete checkout correctly

• save your records

Once that process is clear, using your ESA+ funds for meaningful homeschool curriculum becomes much more manageable.

If you are looking for reading, handwriting, early learning, or cursive resources that support real learning at home, Grooved Learning was created with families like yours in mind.

Ready to see which Grooved Learning resource best fits your child? Start with our state funding page or browse our Shop All page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can North Carolina ESA+ funds be used for homeschool curriculum?

ESA+ families may use funds for qualifying curriculum and related educational expenses, and NCSEAA says homeschool families may use ESA+ funds for curriculum.

What platform does North Carolina ESA+ use for purchases?

North Carolina ESA+ families use ClassWallet to purchase products and pay enrolled providers.

Where do I buy products with ESA+ funds?

NCSEAA says the ClassWallet Marketplace is the only place parents can purchase products with ESA+ funds.

Can I pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later?

For ESA+ homeschool families, NCSEAA says there is no reimbursement for purchases; parents buy products through the ClassWallet Marketplace.

Where should I start if I want to use ESA+ funds for Grooved Learning books?

Start with our state funding page and then browse our Shop All page to identify the best-fit resources for your child.