CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as Chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, today announced applications for new students to apply for the Hope Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year, which begins this fall, are now available online.
“My Office has seen tremendous growth in the Hope Scholarship over the last few years, and we’re excited to welcome new students for the upcoming school year,” Treasurer Pack said. “The Hope Scholarship gives families the opportunity to choose the educational pathway that works best for their child. This will be the second full school year of our year-round application and prorated funding model, which will continue to offer families greater access and flexibility for the program.”
Applications are available online at www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.
A student application submitted within the following dates will receive the associated level of Hope Scholarship funding:
- March 1-June 15: 100% of Hope Scholarship annual award amount.
- June 16-Sept. 15: 75% of Hope Scholarship annual award amount.
- Sept. 16-Nov. 30: 50% of Hope Scholarship annual award amount.
- Dec. 1-Feb. 28: 25% of Hope Scholarship annual award amount.
Current Hope Scholarship students who wish to renew their participation in the program during the 2025-2026 school year have until June 15 to submit their Continuing Participation Confirmations.
“This is a great opportunity for students who have already benefited from the Hope Scholarship program,” Treasurer Pack said. “I want to encourage all participating families to submit their confirmations for their child as soon as possible.”
The Hope Scholarship award amount varies each school year depending on the amount of state aid funding per pupil provided to county boards of education for public school students. The scholarship amount for the 2025-2026 school year is $5,267.38.
Program participation grew from 2,333 students during the 2022-2023 school year to 5,443 students during the 2023-2024 school year, and now over 10,000 students in the current school year. There are currently 233 participating nonpublic schools and microschools in the Hope Scholarship Program, providing a variety of educational options for students.
The Hope Scholarship will open to all school-age children residing in West Virginia beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Hope Scholarship Act, passed by the Legislature in 2021, is an education savings account program available for kindergarten through 12th grade students. It is designed to allow parents and families to receive an amount equal to the state portion of their child’s education funding to tailor an individualized learning experience that works best for their child.
To qualify for the Hope Scholarship, a student must be a West Virginia resident and be either:
- Eligible to be enrolled in a kindergarten program.
- Enrolled full-time in a public elementary or secondary school program in this state for the entire instructional term during the current academic year immediately preceding the academic year for which the student is applying to participate in the Hope Scholarship Program.
- Or, enrolled full-time and attending a public elementary or secondary school program in this state for at least 45 calendar days during an instructional term at the time of application and remain enrolled and attending public school until a decision is reached on the student’s Hope Scholarship application.
In addition to filling out the application, state law also requires participating families to fill out a notice of intent to participate in the program with their local county superintendent. A sample template for that notice as well as Frequently Asked Questions regarding the notice are also available online at the program’s website.
Families are reminded to notify he Hope Scholarship Board via email at hopescholarshipwv@wvsto.gov if they are awarded the Hope Scholarship for 2025-2026 but ultimately decide to remain in public school.
For more information on the Hope Scholarship, visit www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.
