§115C-112.5. Definitions

The following definitions apply in this Part:

(1)        Authority. - The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

(1a)      Child with a disability. - As defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(1).

(1b)      Disability. - As defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(2).

(1c)      Educational technology. - As defined by the Authority, an item, piece of equipment, material, product, or system which may be purchased commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized and that is used primarily for educational purposes for a child with a disability.

(2)        Eligible student. - A child under the age of 22 who meets all of the following criteria:

a.         Is a child with a disability.

b.         Is eligible to attend a North Carolina public school pursuant to G.S. 115C-366.

c.         Has not been placed in a nonpublic school or facility by a public agency at public expense.

d.         Has not been enrolled in a postsecondary institution as a full-time student taking at least 12 hours of academic credit.

e.         Has not received a high school diploma.

f.          Meets at least one of the following requirements:

1.         Was enrolled in a North Carolina public school during the previous semester.

2.         Received special education or related services through the North Carolina public schools as a preschool child with a disability during the previous semester.

3.         Was approved for a scholarship for the previous semester.

4.         Is a child who is identified as a child with a disability prior to the end of the year of initial enrollment in kindergarten or first grade. An award by the Authority based on eligibility under this sub-sub-subdivision shall be conditional. If documentation is not provided to the Authority that the child is a child with a disability prior to the end of the year of initial enrollment, (i) no reimbursement shall be awarded and (ii) the child shall not qualify the following year as an eligible student under sub-sub-subdivision 3. of this section.

(3)        Nonpublic school. - A school that meets the requirements of Part 1, 2, or 3 of Article 39 of this Chapter as identified by the Division of Nonpublic Education, Department of Administration.

(3a)      Related services. - As defined in G.S. 115C-106.3(18).

(4)        Scholarships. - Funds awarded by the Authority to eligible students to be used to receive special education on a daily basis while attending either a nonpublic school or a North Carolina public school for which payment of tuition is required.

(5)        Special education. - Specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. The term includes instruction in physical education and instruction conducted in a classroom, the home, a hospital or institution, and other settings.

(2013-364, s. 4; 2014-49, s. 2.)