Hope Scholarship approved expenses (complete list)
What can you actually spend your $5,435.62 on? Here's everything that's approved — and what's explicitly not covered. (New to the program? Start with our Hope Scholarship overview.)
Quick answer
The West Virginia Hope Scholarship ($5,435.62 for 2026-27) covers private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum and instructional materials, educational therapy services, online courses, educational technology, standardized testing, and transportation. Funds are spent through the EMA platform at preapproved providers, or through the TheoPay marketplace for goods.
In this guide
1. The approved expense categories
If you haven't already, apply for the Hope Scholarship first. According to the Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook, these are the qualifying expenses under WV Code §18-31:
Tuition & fees
- • Private/parochial school tuition
- • Microschool fees
- • Online school tuition
- • Alternative education programs
- • Dual credit/college courses
Tutoring & academic services
- • Private tutoring
- • Tutoring facilities
- • Online tutoring platforms
- • Test prep courses (SAT, ACT, AP)
- • ASVAB prep courses
Curriculum & materials
- • Textbooks and workbooks
- • Curriculum packages
- • Educational supplies
- • Supplemental materials
- • Arts curriculum
Therapy & special services
- • Speech-language therapy
- • Occupational therapy
- • Behavioral therapy (ABA)
- • Physical therapy
- • Audiology services
Technology & equipment
- • Computers and laptops
- • Tablets and e-readers
- • Printers and smartboards
- • Required software
- • Assistive technology
Other approved expenses
- • Transportation to providers
- • Standardized testing fees
- • Museum/zoo admissions
- • School uniforms (required)
- • Library memberships
2. Tutoring — what counts
Tutoring is explicitly listed as a qualifying expense. Here's what you need to know:
Approved tutoring
- Individual tutoring — one-on-one sessions with a tutor
- Tutoring facilities — learning centers and tutoring companies
- Online tutoring — virtual sessions with approved providers
- Specialized tutoring — tutors trained in dyslexia, autism, ADHD, etc.
The immediate family rule
Tutoring services cannot be provided by a member of the Hope Scholarship student's immediate family. The program defines "immediate family member" broadly: this includes parents, grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, first cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and spouses of these relatives. Parents cannot pay themselves to tutor their own children using Hope funds, and the rule extends well beyond the household.
The tutoring provider must be registered with the Hope Scholarship program through the EMA platform. We're an approved provider — we specialize in children with learning differences. Learn how to find approved tutoring providers.
3. Curriculum and instructional materials
For homeschooling families or those supplementing private school education, curriculum is a major approved expense:
- Complete curriculum packages (Abeka, BJU Press, Sonlight, etc.)
- Individual textbooks and workbooks
- Online curriculum subscriptions
- Educational supplies (paper, writing utensils, scissors, etc.)
- Supplemental materials in reading, math, science, social studies, or arts
- Building blocks and educational kits (LEGOs only from official LEGO Education site)
How TheoPay works for curriculum
Most curriculum and supplies are purchased through TheoPay, a browser extension that lets you shop on approved vendor websites (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, curriculum publishers). You add items to your cart, scan with TheoPay, and the Hope fulfillment team places the order for you. Items ship directly to your home.
4. Therapy services
Educational therapy services are covered. The key distinction is educational vs. medical:
Covered (educational)
- • Speech-language therapy
- • Occupational therapy
- • Behavioral therapy (ABA)
- • Physical therapy
- • Audiology therapy
- • Educational therapy
Not covered (medical)
- • Medical treatments
- • Medications
- • Vitamins & supplements
- • Doctor visits
- • Diagnostic evaluations (unless educational)
The therapy provider must be registered with the Hope Scholarship program. Many therapy providers serve both insurance-billed medical clients and Hope-billed educational clients.
5. Technology
Technology is approved but has specific limits:
Two-year replacement rule
You can only purchase certain technology items once every two years:
- • Desktop computers
- • Laptop computers
- • Tablets/readers (Kindles, iPads)
- • Monitors
- • Printers
- • 3D printers and scanners
- • Cameras and accessories
- • Smartboards
Example: If you buy a laptop on Feb 1, 2024, you can't buy another until Feb 2, 2026.
Single-quantity rule
These items are limited to one per student:
- • Headsets/earbuds
- • iPad pencils/pointer devices
- • Keyboards
Assistive technology for students with disabilities has no quantity limits and can include specialized equipment or rentals.
6. What's NOT covered
The Hope Scholarship Board maintains a Non-Qualifying Expense List. Here are the major categories:
Explicitly not covered
- Entertainment — Game consoles, Netflix/streaming, theme parks, movie theaters, arcade games
- Travel expenses — Transportation, parking, hotels, food during field trips
- Furniture — Desks, chairs, bookcases (except specialized seating for disabilities)
- Clothing — Any clothing except required school uniforms
- Food — Groceries, except school lunch fees at participating schools
- Gift cards — Any kind
- Sports — Travel sports, tournament fees, athletic equipment over $500, sports uniforms
- Household items — Appliances, cookware, playground equipment, televisions
- Medical — Medications, vitamins, supplements
- Pre-K — Any expenses for Pre-K programs, including transitional kindergarten
- Internet service — Home internet is not covered
- Family expenses — Items used by non-Hope children in the family
The Board also denies "excessive quantities" or "unreasonable costs" even for otherwise-approved items.
| Approved ✓ | NOT Approved ✗ |
|---|---|
| Private tutoring (including special needs specialists) | Tutoring from immediate family members* |
| Private school tuition | Public school fees or activities |
| Curriculum and textbooks | Food, beverages, or snacks |
| Educational therapy (OT, speech, behavioral) | Medical treatments or prescriptions |
| Online courses and learning software | Entertainment subscriptions (Netflix, games) |
| Technology equipment for educational programs (computers, printers, required software) | Cell phones, smart watches, gaming consoles |
| Standardized testing and college admission exam fees | College application fees |
| Transportation to approved providers (fee-for-service transportation providers only) | General family transportation or mileage reimbursement |
*Immediate family member is defined broadly under WV Code §18-31-7 — includes parents, grandparents, siblings, step-siblings, first cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, and spouses. See the "who counts as family" section above for the full breakdown.
7. The TheoPay marketplace
TheoPay is how you buy physical goods (curriculum, supplies, technology) with Hope funds:
- Download the TheoPay browser extension (works best on Chrome desktop)
- Log into the extension before shopping
- Shop on approved vendor sites (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, curriculum publishers)
- Add items to your cart — do NOT check out
- Use TheoPay to scan your cart for eligibility
- Submit the cart for fulfillment
- The Hope team reviews, places the order, and items ship to your home
Not every item on an approved vendor site is eligible. Educational items are approved; personal use items are not.
8. Direct-pay providers via EMA
Services (tutoring, therapy, private school tuition) work differently than goods:
- Private schools/microschools — Select from the school list in your portal; funds pay tuition directly
- Tutoring providers — Find approved providers in the closed Marketplace; authorize payment for sessions
- Therapy providers — Same as tutoring; provider must be registered with Hope Scholarship
Providers invoice the Hope Scholarship program directly. You don't pay out-of-pocket and request reimbursement — the system handles payment.
9. Receipts and documentation
Hope Scholarship funds are tracked electronically through the portal, but you should:
- Keep records of all purchases and services
- Save confirmation emails from TheoPay orders
- Document how items are used for educational purposes
- Retain service agreements with tutors and therapists
The Board can audit accounts. If purchases are flagged as non-educational or excessive, you may be required to repay funds.
10. Edge cases
Extracurriculars
Public school extracurriculars are covered (your Hope student can pay to participate in sports, band, etc. at local public schools). Private extracurriculars like travel sports are generally not covered.
Religious instruction
Religious schools and faith-based curriculum are allowed. Private or parochial school tuition is explicitly listed as a qualifying expense.
Out-of-state services
Private schools in surrounding states can participate if registered. Online services (tutoring, curriculum) from out-of-state providers are allowed if the provider is approved.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Hope Scholarship for private school AND tutoring?
Yes. You can split your $5,435.62 between multiple approved expenses. Many families use part for private school tuition and part for supplemental tutoring or therapy services.
Can I buy a computer for the whole family?
No. Hope Scholarship funds can only be used for the qualifying student. Technology purchased must be for educational use by that student. The Board has noted that shared family devices may be flagged for review.
Are music or art lessons covered?
Yes, if they're part of an educational program. Curriculum and supplemental materials in "the arts" are explicitly listed as qualifying expenses. However, performance costumes (like dance recital outfits) are not covered.
Can I use Hope for ABA therapy?
Yes. Behavioral therapy is explicitly listed as a qualifying expense under "educational services and therapies." The provider must be registered with the Hope Scholarship program.
What about religious school curriculum?
Yes. Private or parochial school tuition and fees are approved expenses. Religious schools that participate in the Hope Scholarship program can receive funds for tuition and curriculum.
Can my Hope-funded materials be used for non-Hope children in the family?
No. Hope Scholarship funds must only be used for the qualifying student. Materials purchased with Hope funds are for that student's education specifically.
Are field trips covered?
Partially. Admission fees to museums, science centers, zoos, and similar educational venues are covered. However, travel costs (transportation, parking, hotels, food) are NOT covered.
Can I use Hope Scholarship out of state?
Yes, for some expenses. Private schools in surrounding states can participate if they register with the program. Online tutoring and curriculum from out-of-state providers is also allowed if the provider is approved.
What if my purchase is denied?
Contact the Hope Engagement Center at 681-999-HOPE. They can explain why the purchase was denied. If you believe an item should be approved, you can submit a Qualifying Expense Request Form to the Board.
Do I get reimbursed for items I buy out of pocket?
Generally no. Reimbursements are only allowed in very limited circumstances as defined in the Hope Scholarship Board's Reimbursement Policy. Always purchase through the portal or TheoPay when possible.
Tutoring is an approved expense
We're a Hope Scholarship approved provider specializing in children with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. Let's talk about how we can help your child.
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