CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as Chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, today announced Hope Scholarship first semester funding is available for participating students to use for the 2025-2026 academic year.
“My Office is excited to award our Hope families with these funds so they can begin finding the education that fits their child’s unique needs,” Treasurer Pack said. “Participants now have access to make purchases through the program’s online portal. We encourage families to take steps now to select their classes and educational materials for the upcoming school year.”
For existing Hope Scholarship participants, the account holders should see that their student’s available balance in their existing digital wallet increased by the first semester funding distribution. For new Hope participants, the account holders can now see the student’s digital wallet for the first time with their first semester Hope funds available to spend. From the digital wallet, account holders are able to pay their first semester tuition and fees to their nonpublic schools, place orders for services in the closed marketplace, use TheoPay to shop for goods and commodities, and submit reimbursement requests.
There are hundreds of participating schools and education service providers available in the Hope online platform, allowing families to create a customized learning experience for their child using their scholarship funds. Treasurer Pack recently announced Outschool, an online learning platform, will offer a wide-range of small-group, online classes for Individualized Instructional Plan students. Eligible families can use their Hope Scholarship funds to purchase Learning Passports, which are Outschool credit bundles, through the Hope Scholarship online portal.
The deadline to receive the full scholarship amount of $5,267.38 for the 2025-2026 school year was June 15. A student application submitted within the following dates will receive the associated level of Hope Scholarship funding:
- 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
Second semester Hope Scholarship funds will be distributed on January 15, 2026. Additional first semester funds will be distributed in September for newly awarded students or students with other account issues who could not be funded today.
Families are reminded to notify the 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 about the Hope Scholarship, visit www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.
