CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Nearly 15,000 West Virginia students are expected to receive full Hope Scholarship funding for the 2025-2026 school year.
School Choice Expansion Offers Significant Funding Boost
Nearly 15,000 students set for full funding, a major jump from last year’s 10,750 recipients.
This marks a substantial increase from the prior year, when 10,750 students received some level of financial assistance. The scholarship is available to all school-age children residing in West Virginia.
How much funding can students receive?
West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack highlighted the program’s benefits, noting a 15% increase in funding. “It’s a real blessing for parents,” Pack stated. “It gives parents the ability to make the best education choice for their child.” The scholarship provides approximately $5,200 annually.
Parents now have the flexibility to choose private schools, homeschooling, microschools, or online learning options if they feel public schools aren’t the best fit for their child. Sign-ups are open anytime, with more students becoming eligible throughout the year.
Key Dates for Scholarship Applications
To secure the full 100% scholarship, students must be registered by June 15. Pack mentioned, “We’ve had four or five hundred applications since the deadline passed, so parents are coming into the program.” The Treasurer’s Office is committed to supporting parental choices.
Students who apply between June 16 and September 15 will receive 75% of the annual award amount. Pack reassured that this initiative provides families with expanded educational choices without negatively impacting public schools. “This is additional education funding,” he explained, emphasizing that public school funding comes from a separate source.
Supporting Public Education Amidst Challenges
Pack also stressed the importance of continuing support for West Virginia’s public schools. “Public schools are very important, part of what government does,” he said. “We have to support our teachers, we have to support public schools, but they have challenges.”
One identified challenge is the declining birth rate compared to previous generations, which affects school enrollment and creates funding complexities. Pack underscored the need for ongoing support to ensure public schools have the necessary resources.
Future Expansion Plans
The Treasurer’s Office anticipates even broader reach by August 2026, potentially funding up to 30,000 students. For additional information about the Hope Scholarship program, interested parties can visit the official website.
Did you know? The Hope Scholarship funding is an additional educational resource, not drawn from public school budgets.
