West Virginia’s education voucher program is now available for all K-12 students for the first time since it launched in 2021.
BY: AMELIA FERRELL KNISELY
Inside a Kanawha County elementary classroom in West Virginia. (Photo by Lexi Browning/West Virginia Watch)
More than 26,000 students have applied for full funding of the Hope Scholarship for the upcoming school year, costing the state of West Virginia an estimated $155 million so far.
The estimated cost for the education voucher program will continue to increase throughout the year as applications are received for reduced funding amounts. This first initial round of applicants will receive $5,435.62 to use for private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring services, horseback riding lessons, laptops and other qualifying expenses.
Lawmakers recently allocated $277 million for the Hope Scholarship to account for any student who uses the program in the 2026-27 school year. The program is available for all K-12 students for the first time since it launched in 2021.
State Treasurer Larry Pack, who serves as chairman of the Hope Scholarship Board, said on Monday, “We are so excited to welcome thousands of new families into the Hope Scholarship Program.”
“Seeing the Education Savings Account nearly double in participation is a true indicator of the impact and popularity of the program,” Pack said in a news release. “Now our team turns their attention to helping these students get the resources they need to tailor their education towards their unique needs. Our goal is for West Virginia (to) continue to lead the nation in education innovation as we continue to build the program.”
Pack said that 26,617 students have applied for full funding for the Hope Scholarship for the upcoming school year. Roughly 15,000 students used the Hope Scholarship during the 2025-26 school year.
Earlier this year, some Republicans in the House of Delegates along with Democratic lawmakers floated ideas to possibly reduce the Hope Scholarship’s price increase from last year’s $100 million funding level. One proposal would have banned the use of Hope Scholarship funds at out-of-state schools.
None of the proposed measures made it to the House or Senate floor for a full vote before lawmakers adjourned sine die in March.
The Hope Scholarship award amount per student is based on the amount of state aid funding per pupil provided to county boards of education for public school students.
The universal expansion of the program this year will allow existing private school and traditional homeschool students who had not previously been eligible for the program to participate, according to the state Treasurer’s Office.
Hope Scholarship enrollment continues and will now provide a reduced amount to students for the upcoming school year. Students who apply from June 16 through Sept. 15 will receive 75% of the Hope Scholarship annual award amount.
