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FAQs from Parents

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO APPLY FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Parents/guardians must complete a notice of intent to participate in the Hope Scholarship program. You are responsible for sending it to the county superintendent in your county of residence. Click the button below for a sample notice of intent to participate in the Hope Scholarship. You must create an account through the Education Market Assistant (EMA) portal before applying.

You will need your child’s WVEIS ID#. This is assigned by your County Board of Education. (If you do not have a WVEIS ID# for your incoming kindergarten student, please contact your county board of education.)

WHAT IS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?

West Virginia parents now have more flexibility and choices to educate their children. The Hope Scholarship, passed in the West Virginia State Legislature during the 2021 Regular Session, is a portion of state-allocated educational dollars that funds a student for use on a range of state-approved educational items and services.

The Hope Scholarship is an Education Savings Account program, more commonly known as an “ESA.” The Scholarship will allow parents and families to use the money to fund an individualized learning experience that works best for their child. This is an alternative to public education and students must unenroll from full-time public school to participate.

WHAT IS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?

West Virginia parents now have more flexibility and choices to educate their children. The Hope Scholarship, passed in the West Virginia State Legislature during the 2021 Regular Session, is a portion of state-allocated educational dollars that funds a student for use on a range of state-approved educational items and services.

The Hope Scholarship is an Education Savings Account program, more commonly known as an “ESA.” The Scholarship will allow parents and families to use the money to fund an individualized learning experience that works best for their child. This is an alternative to public education and students must unenroll from full-time public school to participate.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?

Eligibility is not merit-based. To be eligible for the Hope Scholarship program a child must be:

  • Under 21
  • A resident of West Virginia
  • Currently enrolled in the public school system and have been enrolled for at least forty-five calendar days in an instructional period. Unless your child is going into kindergarten, then the enrollment requirement does not apply
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL MY FAMILY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE?

The Hope Scholarship gives parents approximately $4,300 per child each year to customize each individual child’s education. However, that amount may be subject to change each year based on the state’s education funding formula.

WHEN WILL MY FAMILY RECEIVE THEIR HOPE DOLLARS?

Parents will receive Hope Scholarship funds in two deposits: the first on August 15 and the second on January 15. 

WHAT IS ON THE APPLICATION?

The application will specify who the Account Holder and the student are along with their appropriate contact information. You also have to provide the student’s West Virginia Education Information System number, an Account Holder contract, and documentation to prove eligibility to enroll in the Hope Scholarship.

If you are part of a family with multiple students participating in the Hope Scholarship you must submit different applications for each child.

I HAVE MORE THAN ONE CHILD. ARE THEY ALL ELIGIBLE?

Eligibility is determined separately for each child. As long as your child meets the eligibility criteria, they can participate in the program. There are no limits on how many children per family can participate in the Hope Scholarship. The Hope Scholarship gives eligible parents approximately $4,300 per child, per school year. They will receive the funds in two deposits: The first on August 15 and the second on January 15.

HOW CAN I USE MY CHILD’S HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS?

Below is the list of qualified expenses as approved by the Hope Scholarship Board.

  • Private or parochial school tuition and fees
  • Tuition and fees for programs of study, curriculum, or supplemental materials in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, or the arts
  • Tuition and fees for programs of study or the curriculum of courses that lead to an industry-recognized credential that satisfies a workforce need
  • Tuition and fees for a program or curriculum that a public school offers to Hope Scholarship students, pursuant to W. Va. Code §18-31-8(f)
  • Tutoring services provided by an individual or a tutoring service: Provided, that tutoring services cannot be provided by a member of the Hope Scholarship student’s immediate family
  • Fees for nationally standardized assessments, advanced placement examinations, any examinations related to college or university admission, any examinations for industry certification exams, and tuition and fees for preparatory courses for the aforementioned exams
  • Tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs
  • Tuition and fees for alternative education programs
  • Fees for after-school or summer education programs
  • Fees and materials for enrollment in dual credit or college-level courses
  • Educational services and therapies, including, but not limited to, occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language, and audiology therapies
  • Fees for transportation are paid to a fee-for-service transportation provider for the student to travel to and from an education service provider
  • The cost of school uniforms required by a participating school
  • Vocational supplies or equipment required for a K-12 course of study

The Board may also approve an expense not listed upon request.

HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP?

As many as qualify under the eligibility requirements set forth in the state code.

WHEN WILL THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP BE AVAILABLE TO MY FAMILY?

The program is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2022 school year with an application period to open by March 1, 2022.

WHERE WILL FUNDS BE DEPOSITED?

Funds will be deposited into the EMA account that you created during the application process. More details on transactions and the exchange of funds will be made known closer to August 15th.

ARE CURRENT HOME SCHOOL OR PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?

Unfortunately, if you are currently a homeschool student or enrolled in a private school, you are not eligible for the Hope Scholarship. However, the Hope Scholarship law states that if by 2024, fewer than 5% of current public school students enroll in the program, then the Hope Scholarship will be available to homeschool and private school West Virginia students in 2026.

HOW IS THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDED?

The Hope Scholarship is funded through the state’s education funding formula. The money used for the Hope Scholarship is the state portion of the per-pupil cost.

WHO MANAGES THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

The program is overseen by the State Treasurer’s office and administered by the Hope Scholarship Board, referred to as “the Board.” The Board is chaired by the State Treasurer and is made up of the Auditor, Attorney General, State Superintendent of Schools, Chancellor of Higher Education, Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, and three Hope Scholarship Parents.

To administer the Hope Scholarship accounts, create the applications, and oversee the transactions, the Board has contracted with Step Up for Students. This nonprofit oversees the ESA and Hope Scholarship program in Florida.

WHO ARE “ACCOUNT HOLDERS?”

Account Holders are the individuals designated and authorized to administer and manage a Hope Scholarship student’s account. They can be either a legal guardian or an 18-year-old Hope Scholarship Student.

Secondary Account Holders, who must meet the criteria previously stated, may be added, but their authority is limited to completing purchases for the students using the online portal. Secondary Account Holders may be removed on request from the Account Holder.

If the Account Holder, Secondary Account Holder, or student cannot administer the funds, they can request that the Board change who the Account Holder designee is.

HOW ARE ACCOUNTS ESTABLISHED?

The Account Holder is responsible for setting up the student’s Hope Scholarship account. This will be done in consultation with the Board and vendor.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN PARENTS APPLY?

Applications for the Hope Scholarship will be open from March 1st to May 15th of each academic year. All applications will be available on the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Website.

You will be required to renew your Hope Scholarship account on a yearly basis. Renewal applications are open from January 15 to May 15.

Late applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

HOW DO I GET A WVEIS ID# FOR MY CHILD?

How to get a WVEIS ID# for your child who is entering kindergarten or otherwise does not have one:

  1. Fill out the sample Notice of Intent from the Home Scholarship website. 
  2. Send it to your county BOE via email or USPS mail.
  3. They will send back your child’s WVEIS ID#.
HOW LONG WILL IT BE BEFORE A PARENT IS INFORMED THAT THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

Parents will receive a letter within 45 days of their application submission. During this time, a student must remain enrolled in the public school system.

WHAT HAPPENS IF PARENTS DO NOT RE-ENROLL IN THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

If an account is not renewed, then the account is closed. All remaining funds are forfeited to the state. If you do not re-enroll, so long as you meet the criteria the next academic year, you may reapply.

WHAT AM I REQUIRED TO DO AS AN ACCOUNT HOLDER?

By signing the Account Holder contract, you are agreeing to the following:

  • To ensure that the Hope Scholarship student receives an education in at least the subjects of reading, language, mathematics, science, and social studies.
  • To use the Hope Scholarship funds exclusively for qualifying expenses of the Hope Scholarship student as provided in W. Va. Code §18-31-7 and section 9 of this rule.
  • To comply with the rules and requirements of W. Va. Code §18-31-1 et seq. and this rule.
  • To afford the Hope Scholarship student opportunities for educational enrichment such as organized athletics, art, music, or literature.
  • For a student who chooses an individualized instructional program, to submit the student’s annual nationally normed standardized achievement test results or an annual certified teacher’s review of the student’s academic work to the superintendent of the county of residence, as required by W. Va. Code §18-31-8, no later than June 8 prior to the upcoming academic year.
  • To authorize the Board, the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, the West Virginia Department of Education, and the contracted program manager acting on behalf of the Board to exchange all necessary enrollment or other data to confirm initial and ongoing eligibility for the Hope Scholarship Program.

This will be available once applications open. If you do not submit a contract with your application, that is grounds for denial of a Hope Student’s application.

HOW WILL FUNDS BE TRANSACTED?

The funds for the Hope Scholarship are deposited into the accounts created by the Account Holders for each of their students. The funds can only be transacted electronically between the Account Holder and education service provider. The exact process for the transaction is still being developed by the Board and will be ready once the program goes into effect this July.

WHEN WILL FUNDS BE DEPOSITED?

The amount that families can expect is nearly $4,300 for the 2022/2023 academic year. Scholarship funds will be deposited in two disbursements: the first one on August 15 and the second on January 15.

Any funds that are not used during an academic year will be rolled over to the student’s account for the next year.

CAN I REQUEST REFUNDS OR REIMBURSEMENTS?

Any request for a refund or reimbursement must be approved by the Board.

WHERE CAN PARENTS FIND INFORMATION ON APPROVED EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS?

The Board will ensure that all information on approved providers is easily accessible and readily available on the Hope Scholarship website.

CAN HOPE FUNDS BE USED TO HIRE A FAMILY MEMBER AS A TUTOR?

While approved private tutors can be paid using the Hope Scholarship fund, you cannot hire an immediate family member.

The rules define an immediate family member as a student’s:

  • Parents, grandparents, or ancestors of either
  • Siblings, stepsiblings, or children of the students
  • First cousin of the students
  • Stepparent of the students
  • A brother or sister of the students’ parents
  • The student’s in-laws
  • The student’s spouse or the spouse of anyone in this section
  • Anyone who is adopted into the family
CAN HOPE FUNDS BE USED AT A SCHOOL THAT EMPLOYS A STUDENT’S RELATIVE?

Neither the rules nor legislation prohibits the use of funds at a school that employs a Hope student relative. This is because the money goes to the school rather than directly to a relative.

WHAT HAPPENS IF AN ACCOUNT HOLDER MISUSES FUNDS?

Accounts may be frozen or have a hold placed on transactions. This will happen if the Board finds evidence of intentional misuse of funds, fraud, or criminal activity. Account Holders will be notified within 20 days of a freeze or hold. If an audit or inquiry into potential misuse of funds leads to account closure, the rules specify that the funds will return to the Hope Scholarship Program Fund.

WHO IS ON THE WEST VIRGINIA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD?

WEST VIRGINIA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP BOARD MEMBERS

Chairman, WV State Treasurer – Riley Moore

WV State Auditor Designee – Anthony Woods, Deputy State Auditor

WV State Attorney General – Patrick Morrisey

WV State Superintendent of Schools Designee – Dustin Lambert, Coordinator

Chancellor of Higher Education Designee – Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid

Director of the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs – Jill Upson

Parent – Jonathan “Zak” Ritchie

Parent – Charles Russell

Parent – Amanda Hoylman

SUBCOMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RULES

Parent – Jonathan “Zak” Ritchie

Parent – Charles Russell

WHEN SHOULD I DISENROLL MY CHILD FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL?

Upon receiving notice that you have been accepted into the Hope Scholarship Program, you may disenroll from public school. However, ensure that you provide your Hope Scholarship acceptance letter to your current public school when you disenroll.

MY LETTER SAYS I HAVE BEEN “DETERMINED ELIGIBLE.” DOES THIS MEAN THAT I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM?

Yes, the determination of eligibility is your acceptance letter!  The letter says “determined eligible” because the funds can be revoked upon ineligibility for the program.

You will only become ineligible for Hope after receiving this letter if you leave West Virginia and become residents of another state or your student finishes high school.

DOES ENROLLMENT IN A VIRTUAL PUBLIC SCHOOL MEET THE ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE CRITERIA?

Yes, full-time enrollment and attendance in a virtual public school satisfy the requirements of the Hope Scholarship law and rules.

DOES ENROLLMENT IN A CHARTER SCHOOL MEET THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE CRITERIA FOR HOPE SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY?

Yes. Enrollment in and attendance at either a brick-and-mortar charter school or a virtual charter school will satisfy the public school attendance criteria for Hope Scholarship eligibility. 

WHAT ARE THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP?

The Hope Scholarship Law requires that a student is 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 until an award letter is issued by the board.

A student who has been enrolled in and attending public school for a full year should not face issues related to attendance requirements.

A student who enrolled in public school to become eligible for Hope will have stricter attendance requirements. The Hope Scholarship program requires a student to be enrolled for 45 calendar days (not instructional days) to be eligible. A student, in this category, cannot have missed more than 4.5 days of school. A student who has missed more than 4.5 days of school, may be rejected due to chronic absences.

DO PARENTS WHO PLAN TO HOME EDUCATE UNDER THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP NEED TO BECOME APPROVED EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS?

No. Parents who plan to home educate under the Hope Scholarship do not need to become approved providers. Registering as a provider means that you agree to receive Hope Scholarship funds in exchange for classes, curriculum, and tutoring services. It is illegal for an immediate family member of a student to receive their Hope funds. Therefore, you should not and cannot register as a provider for your child(ren).

WHAT DO THE VARIOUS APPLICATION STATUSES MEAN?

The Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook on pages 5 – 6 defines five different application statuses:

Eligible – Satisfied the appropriate eligibility requirement

Ineligible – Has not satisfied the eligibility requirements

On Hold – Supporting documentation has been processed & there is missing information, or the information needs further clarity

Awarded – Indicates a student was found eligible

Funded – Indicates a student was found eligible & funding is available and placed in the student educational savings account within EMA

ARE THERE A LIMITED NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?

No! There are not a limited number of scholarships available for Hope Scholarship students. Any eligible student can apply, and all eligible students will be accepted into the program!

FAQs from Providers

WHAT ARE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Education Service Providers, referred to as “ESPs,” are any organization, school, or individual that has agreed to receive Hope funds in exchange for education services.

WHAT ARE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Education Service Providers, referred to as “ESPs,” are any organization, school, or individual that has agreed to receive Hope funds in exchange for education services.

WHEN CAN INTERESTED ESPS APPLY?

Interested providers can apply at any point during the academic year, which runs from July 1-June 30.

HOW DO SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS, OR TUTORS BECOME APPROVED ESPS? WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS OF ESPS?

In order to become an Education Service Partner, you have to submit a notice of intent along with a provider contract. If a school or organization does not submit a contract, they cannot receive Hope funds. 

In order to be an Education Service Provider, you must do two things:

  • Submit a notice of intent on a form to be prescribed by the Board.
  • Agree to and comply with all requirements of W. Va. Code §18-31-1 et seq. and this rule.

Upon submitting the notice of intent, you will need to enter into a contract with the Board. With the contract, you are agreeing to:

  • Comply with W.Va. Code §18-31-1 et seq. and the rules for this program.
  • Only use the funds as required and mandated by the rules.
  • The provider will require a background check for anyone interacting with Hope students.
  • You won’t engage in unlawful discrimination – meaning you continue to follow all nondiscrimination rules you’ve already been following. Chapter 18 of the West Virginia Code cites 42 U.S. Code § 1981 as the basis for discrimination protections.
  • If you are a school, you must notify the county of a student’s participation.

The exact text of the contract, as well as the notice of intent form, are still being designed and will be published soon on the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Website.

CAN A SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION BASED OUTSIDE OF WEST VIRGINIA BECOME AN APPROVED ESP?

Neither the legislation nor the rules require that a provider be based in West Virginia.

WILL SCHOOLS OR ORGANIZATIONS BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE THEIR STATEMENT OF FAITH OR CREED IN ORDER TO BECOME AN ESP?

Neither the legislation nor the rules mandate that a school change its statement of faith, creed, curriculum, or admissions policies to become an Education Service Provider.

WHAT NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS MUST ESPS FOLLOW?

The rules and the legislation require all providers to continue following nondiscrimination laws that apply to them.

CAN SCHOOLS LIMIT HOW MANY HOPE SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS THEY ACCEPT?

A provider cannot charge a Hope Scholarship family above the regularly scheduled tuition and fee rate. However, the rules are silent on a provider limiting how many Hope dollars they accept. Yet, this type of limitation may discourage Hope families from applying to your school or your organization and is counter to the program’s intent.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR BACKGROUND CHECKS ON INDIVIDUALS INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS?

Any additional details are forthcoming and will be provided upon application.

WILL ESPS BE SUBJECTED TO AN AUDIT?

Education Service Providers will only be audited if there is an accusation of criminal conduct or misuse of funds. Any audit will be reserved exclusively for the Hope Scholarship and all funds associated with the program. If it is found that you have misused the Hope Scholarship funds, then you may lose authorization as a provider. You can appeal any decision made about your status to the Hope Scholarship Board.

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