Homeschool reimbursement and benefits in West Virginia
West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship offers an expected $5,435.62 full-year education account for 2026-27, including existing homeschool students who use its Individualized Instructional Program route. New applications submitted September 16 through November 30, 2026, receive 50% of the full award, so you can still apply for a partial award.
Who qualifies
Be eligible for West Virginia public school
The resident child must be eligible for grades K through 12, under 21, and not have completed secondary education.
Meet kindergarten age rules
Incoming kindergarteners must be at least 5 before July 1.
Use the Hope attendance pathway
After an eligible award, submit the Hope Notice of Intent to your county; home learners select the Individualized Instructional Program.
Leave full-time public enrollment
Full-time public school and Hope participation cannot continue together.
Obtain the student ID
The application requires a valid WVEIS ID from the county board of education.
What it is worth
Amounts below apply the official percentages to the expected $5,435.62 award and round to cents.
- March 2 through June 15, 2026: 100%
- $5,435.62
- June 16 through September 15, 2026: 75%
- $4,076.72
- September 16 through November 30, 2026: 50%
- $2,717.81
- December 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027: 25%
- $1,358.91
The full award is published as expected; the program confirms the actual account amount.
From applying to keeping it
- September 16 to November 30, 2026
Apply for half funding
A new application in this window qualifies for 50% of the full-year amount.
- December 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027
Quarter funding window
New applications in this later window receive 25%.
- After eligible status
File the Hope Notice of Intent
Send it to your county superintendent; missing notice can delay funds.
- During the award year
Spend through the portal
Funds pay approved providers electronically; full-year accounts normally receive installments by August 15 and January 15.
- By June 8 annually
Report academic progress
For the home route, submit the required nationally normed test evidence or certified-teacher progress review.
- By June 15 annually
Confirm continued participation
Continue eligibility and submit the required confirmation to preserve participation and rollover.
What it pays for
Covered
- Curriculum and supplemental materials
- Approved tutoring and educational services
- Eligible online learning
- Approved educational therapies
- Fee-for-service transportation to educational providers
Not covered
- Full-time public-school enrollment
- Cash refunds or rebates to parents
- Unapproved purchases
Good to know
Existing homeschoolers can apply
Starting in 2026-27, existing homeschoolers can qualify without the old public-school attendance requirement.
Apply by November 30 for half the award
You can still apply this year: by November 30, 2026, for 50% of the expected full award, or by February 28, 2027, for 25%.
The scholarship is not paid as cash
You direct approved purchases through the program portal. Providers cannot refund or rebate the funds to you.
Who to contact
Ask about your student ID, application, partial award, or attendance notice.
hopescholarshipwv@wvsto.gov Read Hope Scholarship answers
Local help in West Virginia
The local programs we have checked across the state cover grants and scholarships, recreation, school services, testing and assessments, and college and dual credit. Each local program sets its own rules for who qualifies. Search your ZIP code to see the ones that serve your address.
The state's homeschool rules
You must file a one-time notice of intent with the county superintendent before home instruction begins, or by the first home-instruction day when withdrawing from public school. After moving counties, notify the former superintendent and file a new notice with the new one. You must notify the superintendent when home instruction ends.
- Subjects: Provide instruction in reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies.
- Testing: Obtain an academic assessment annually; submit results to the county superintendent by June 30 in grades 3, 5, 8, and 11, as applicable.
- Records: Keep a copy of each student’s academic assessment for three years.
- Teachers: High school diploma or equivalent, or a qualifying postsecondary degree or certificate from an accredited or state-authorized institution.
Read the West Virginia homeschooling guide
Questions parents ask
- Does our old homeschool notice cover Hope?
- No. Hope uses a separate compulsory-attendance pathway and Notice of Intent. The updated form can also serve as notice of ending traditional homeschool status.
- Can unspent funds roll over?
- Yes. Keep the student eligible and complete continued-participation confirmation by June 15.
- What if the application is denied?
- Appeal within 45 days after the ineligibility decision through the online Hope portal.
- Can Hope Scholarship pay for TheHomeschoolingCompany?
- No. TheHomeschoolingCompany is not an approved provider for this program.
Put eligible funds toward the teaching
Choose a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check your program’s purchasing rules before using funds to pay for it.
$149/month per child after the trial.