CHARLESTON, W.Va. – State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as Chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, today announced the application deadline for new students to receive full funding for the Hope Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year is this Sunday, June 15.
Applications are available online at www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.
“With the Hope Scholarship application deadline coming to a close, I am encouraging families to apply online by June 15 to receive the full funding amount for the upcoming school year. My Office is excited to welcome new students to the program, and we expect the number of participants to increase this fall,” Treasurer Pack said. “Every child deserves a shot at a bright future – and that’s what the Hope Scholarship offers. At the end of the day, this is all about empowering parents and students to find the education that fits their unique needs.”
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.
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 5,443 students during the 2023-2024 school year to more than 10,000 students during the 2024-2025 school year. There are currently 263 participating nonpublic schools and microschools as well as 850 non-school providers 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.
“We have seen tremendous growth within the program, and we believe that will continue to be the case as the program goes fully universal for the 2026-2027 school year,” Treasurer Pack said. “My Office’s goal is to ensure the program is run efficiently and students can find the education that they need.”
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 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 on the Hope Scholarship, visit www.HopeScholarshipWV.com.
