What Hope Scholarship funds can pay for
West Virginia law lists what Hope Scholarship funds can pay for, and the Hope Scholarship Board adds to it and publishes items it won't approve. Funds can only be used for the student, and the Board can refuse costs it considers unreasonable.
If your service or product isn't on the list, families can't buy it with program funds, however good it is. Check before you apply.
Schools and programs1
- Private or parochial school tuition and fees at a participating school
- Tuition and fees at a microschool
- Nonpublic online learning programs and alternative education programs
- After-school and summer education programs
- Dual credit or college-level courses, with materials
- Programs leading to an industry-recognized credential
- Classes and activities from a public school district or charter school
- Tuition and fees paid to out-of-state public schools
Teaching and therapies1
- Tutoring by an individual or a tutoring facility (not by an immediate family member)
- Occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language and audiology therapies
- Certified teacher annual reviews of the student's work
Curriculum, supplies and technology1
- Curriculum and supplemental materials in reading, language, math, science, social studies or the arts
- Basic supplies such as paper, pencils and scissors
- Computers, printers, smartboards and required software
- Assistive technology for a student with a disability, including rentals
- Vocational supplies required for a K-12 course
- Instruments required for a music course (proof may be needed above $1,000)
- Building kits, and LEGO sets bought from LEGO Education
Tests, travel and other costs1
- Standardized tests, AP and college admission exams, and prep courses
- Transportation by an approved fee-for-service provider to an education service provider
- School uniforms required by a participating school, and school lunch fees
- Educational admission to museums, science centers and zoos
- Individual library memberships
Not eligible
- Pre-K instruction.1
- Game consoles, TVs, phones, smart watches, virtual reality equipment and streaming services.2
- Field trip travel, lodging and food; theme park and movie admissions; travel sports.2
- Household furniture (specialized seating for a student with a disability is allowed), appliances and cookware.2
- Gift cards, groceries, medications and supplements, clothing other than a school uniform, and home internet.2
- Paying parents for teaching their own children, and gas or other travel costs paid by a parent.1
Worth knowing
- Families can ask the Hope Scholarship Board to approve a new kind of expense with its Qualifying Expense Request Form.1
West Virginia vendor guide
Who can apply, documents and payment.
Price caps by state
Technology, instruments and lesson limits compared.
Application checklist
The documents to gather for Hope Scholarship.
Sources
- 1. Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook (updated June 25, 2026), hopescholarshipwv.gov, checked Jun 25, 2026
- 2. Hope Scholarship Non-Qualifying Expense List (June 25, 2026), hopescholarshipwv.gov, checked Jun 25, 2026