West Virginia

How it works

West Virginia launched the first statewide ESA in 2021. Parents use the state portion of their child’s education funding for private school or an individualised home programme instead. Create a parent account on the portal, then send a Hope Scholarship Notice of Intent to your county superintendent. The account is not funded without one. Purchases from outside vendors go through TheoPay.

Programme

Hope Scholarship

Administered by

Hope Scholarship Board, West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office

Amount

Expected to be $5,435.62 for 2026-27, paid in quarterly deposits by 15 August, 15 October, 15 January and 15 April. Late applicants get a reduced first-year amount.

For homeschoolers

Homeschoolers can use it

Who qualifies

Universal from the 2026-27 school year: any West Virginia resident eligible to enrol in a public school in grades K-12, including children already in private school or traditional homeschool. A family leaving traditional homeschool for Hope must send the county a notice of termination, because Hope is a separate exemption from compulsory attendance.

How to apply

1. Confirm your child is eligible for this year — see "Who qualifies" above.
2. Check this year's window. Applications for 2026-27 are accepted year-round, but the amount depends on when you apply: 2 March to 15 June 2026 for 100%, 16 June to 15 September for 75%, 16 September to 30 November 2026 for 50%, and 1 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 for 25%. After that, apply for 2027-28. Dates move every year, so confirm on the official page before you plan around them.
3. Create a parent account on the official portal and start the application.
4. Have your documents ready. Most programmes want proof of residency, the child's birth certificate, and an IEP or eligibility determination if the programme is disability-based.
5. Once you're approved, spend it. Homeschool curriculum is named as a qualifying expense. Check the Non-Qualifying Expense List, then buy through the portal or TheoPay.

Official programme page: hopescholarshipwv.gov. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility are set by the state and change every year — always confirm there before you plan around them.

Sources

Checked 18 September 2026 against these sources:

• hopescholarshipwv.gov
• hopescholarshipwv.gov/…/FAQ
• hopescholarshipwv.gov/…/TheoPay