Charleston, WV (WOAY) – Families planning on applying for a Hope Scholarship during the 2025-26 academic year can now do so according to the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office.
The scholarship gives parents and students their share of the state’s education funding through a savings program. The funds may be used for a learning experience that works best for them by giving parents the opportunity to spend nearly $5,000 per student in public money and apply that to private, charter, parochial, virtual or home schooling.
The application can be found at Hope Scholarship
Student applications 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
According to a news release from West Virginia Treasurer Larry Pack’s office, the scholarship amount for the 2025-26 school year is $5,267.38. Scholarship award amounts vary each school year based on the amount of state aid funding per pupil provided to county boards of education for public school students.
Current Hope Scholarship students who wish to continue their participation in the program during the 2025-26 school year have until June 15 to submit their renewal.
The program increased from 2,333 students during the 2022-23 school year to 5,443 students during the 2023-24 school year, and now over 10,000 students in the current school year according to statistics from State Treasurer Pack’s office.
To qualify for the Hope Scholarship, students must be a West Virginia resident and meet the following requirements:
- 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.
School-age children residing in West Virginia beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year are eligible to apply for The Hope Scholarship.
State law also requires families participating 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 Hope Scholarship
