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West Virginia Homeschool Funding

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Last updated: October 8, 2025

West Virginia Homeschool Funding

HOPE Scholarship (near-universal).

WV
Funding guide
State programs

Main program

Program name: HOPE Scholarship Program (Education Savings Account)

Admin: West Virginia HOPE Scholarship Board (Office of the State Treasurer)

Typical award

Amount: ~$5,267.38 per student for 2025–26 (recalculated annually)

Disbursement: ESA account in the online portal; quarterly funding (prorated if applying after June 15)

Who qualifies

  • Residency: WV resident student of compulsory school age, not yet graduated.
  • Age/grade: K–12 (including first-time kindergarteners).
  • Pathways:
    • Enrolled full-time in a WV public school for ≥45 consecutive calendar days this school year and switching to HOPE, or
    • Entering kindergarten for the first time, or
    • Renewing as a prior HOPE recipient.

Timeline

  • Application opens: March 1
  • Funding windows: 100% (Mar 1–Jun 15) · 75% (Jun 16–Sep 15) · 50% (Sep 16–Nov 30) · 25% (Dec 1–Feb 28)
  • Funding: Accounts fund after approval and disburse quarterly

Overview

West Virginia operates a single statewide education savings account (ESA) called the HOPE Scholarship. Eligible families—whether choosing home education or private school—receive a per-pupil amount in an online account to pay approved educational expenses. The program is overseen by the HOPE Scholarship Board within the Office of the State Treasurer. Spending occurs via an online marketplace and reimbursement system; unused funds follow current-year rules and do not accumulate indefinitely.

Programs

HOPE Scholarship

  • Type: Education Savings Account (ESA)
  • Award: ~$5,267.38 per student for 2025–26 (recalculated annually)
  • Uses: Private school tuition/fees, homeschool curriculum and materials, tutoring, therapies, online courses, exams/testing, educational technology (with limits), educational field trips, museum admissions, and more (see expense lists)
  • Admin: HOPE Scholarship Board (WV State Treasurer)

Official program site  |  Application / Account portal

Eligibility

  • Residency: Student must be a WV resident and under age 21 without a high school diploma.
  • Age/grade: Kindergarten through 12th grade.
  • Prior enrollment: One of the following:
    • Full-time WV public school enrollment for ≥45 consecutive calendar days this school year, then withdrawing to use HOPE; or
    • Entering kindergarten for the first time; or
    • Renewing a prior HOPE scholarship.
  • Program status: Student may not be enrolled full-time in a public school while using HOPE funds.
  • Homeschool documentation: For the Individualized Instruction (homeschool) path, file a county Notice of Intent and ensure the student has a WVEIS ID (see Docs & forms).

How to apply

  1. Gather local requirements. File a county Notice of Intent (homeschool path) and request/confirm your student’s WVEIS ID using the county contact list.
  2. Create your HOPE account. Go to the portal, make a parent/guardian account, and start a new application (choose Individualized Instruction Program if homeschooling).
  3. Upload documents. Provide proof of residency/identity, student age/grade, and any required prior-enrollment or status documentation.
  4. Set up payments. After approval, activate your TheoPay wallet, add students, and use the Marketplace (direct pay to approved providers) or submit reimbursements per policy.

Go to application portal

Covered expenses

  • Private school tuition & fees
  • Homeschool curriculum, textbooks, workbooks, manipulatives
  • Tutoring, instructional services, online courses
  • Special education services & therapies
  • Standardized tests, AP/IB/CLEP/exam fees
  • Educational software & subscriptions
  • Technology (computers/devices, accessories) within state limits
  • Educational field trips, museum/science center admissions
  • Lab, materials, and activity fees tied to instruction
  • Dual-enrollment/college courses for high school students

Notes: Certain items are not covered (e.g., non-educational athletics, general childcare, travel/lodging, firearms, etc.). Always check the current Non-Qualifying Expense List before purchasing.

Deadlines

Milestone Date (2025–26) Notes
Application opens March 1 Early applicants receive full-year (100%) funding eligibility
100% funding window Mar 1 – Jun 15 Full annual award
75% funding window Jun 16 – Sep 15 Award prorated to 75%
50% funding window Sep 16 – Nov 30 Award prorated to 50%
25% funding window Dec 1 – Feb 28 Award prorated to 25%; last day to apply for the school year

Docs & forms

Official sources

FAQs

Can funds cover extracurriculars?
Educational activities connected to instruction (e.g., museum/science center admissions, academic camps, lab fees) are generally allowable when tied to the student’s learning plan. Purely recreational/athletic dues or non-educational costs are typically not covered—check the current Non-Qualifying Expense List.
How are payments handled—reimbursement or direct pay?
Both. Families can pay approved vendors directly through the Marketplace (preferred) or submit reimbursement requests with itemized documentation, following the Reimbursement Policy. Some categories (e.g., technology) have caps or extra rules.
Can I dual-enroll in public school while using HOPE?
No. HOPE recipients may not be enrolled full-time in a public school while using funds. However, eligible dual-enrollment or college coursework for high school students can be an allowable expense.

Contacts

HOPE Engagement Center

Email: help@hopescholarshipwv.com
Phone: 681-999-HOPE (4673)

HOPE Scholarship Board (WV State Treasurer)

Email: Hopescholarshipwv@wvsto.com
Phone: 304-340-5058

Law & regulations