How to Find a Hope Scholarship Approved Provider

Not every tutoring company, therapist, or private school can accept Hope Scholarship funds. Here's how to find providers who are actually approved — and how to choose the right one for your child.

1. What "approved" actually means

To accept Hope Scholarship funds, a provider must be registered with the Hope Scholarship Board through the Education Market Assistant (EMA) platform. This involves:

Completing the New Provider Request Form
Creating a business or individual provider profile
Agreeing to the Education Service Provider Terms and Conditions
Setting up ACH direct deposit for payments
Submitting services for approval in the Closed Marketplace

Being "approved" means the provider has completed this registration process and their services are listed in the Closed Marketplace. If a provider isn't in the portal, they cannot accept Hope funds — period. (See our full list of approved Hope Scholarship expenses for what you can spend on.)

2. How to access the provider directory

The provider directory is inside your Hope Scholarship parent portal:

Log into HopeScholarshipWV.gov
Navigate to the Closed Marketplace section
Browse or search for providers by name, service type, or location
View provider profiles including descriptions, contact info, and services offered

Providers are listed as "Provider Name - City" to help distinguish between locations. Each provider's profile includes a description of their services and the populations they serve.

3. Filtering and searching for providers

The Closed Marketplace lets you filter by:

Service category — tutoring, therapy, private school, curriculum, etc.
Location — in-person providers near you, or online/virtual services
Service type — group or individual sessions

Unfortunately, you cannot filter specifically by "special education tutoring" or "dyslexia specialist." You'll need to read provider descriptions carefully to identify those who specialize in learning differences.

4. Tutoring providers — what to look for

When evaluating tutoring providers, consider:

Credentials and specialization

Teaching credentials — Are tutors certified teachers? In what subjects?
Special education training — Do they have specific training in learning disabilities?
Specialization — Do they focus on specific conditions (dyslexia, autism, ADHD)?
Methods — Do they use evidence-based approaches (Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia, etc.)?

Structure and availability

Session format — One-on-one or small groups?
Scheduling — Can they accommodate your child's schedule?
Location — In-person, online, or hybrid?
Progress tracking — How do they measure and report progress?

5. Questions every family should ask

Before committing to a provider, ask:

"Are you currently registered and approved in the Hope Scholarship Closed Marketplace?" (Verify this yourself in the portal.)
"What experience do you have working with children who have [your child's specific need]?"
"What teaching methods or curriculum do you use?"
"How do you assess progress, and how often will you update me?"
"What is your cancellation policy?"
"How does billing work through the Hope Scholarship portal?"
"Can I speak with other Hope Scholarship families who use your services?"

6. Red flags to watch for

Warning signs

"We're approved, trust us" — Any legitimate provider can be verified in the portal. If they can't show you their listing, don't pay.
Asking for out-of-pocket payment — Hope-approved services should be paid through the portal, not with personal checks or cash.
Sub-contracting without disclosure — Some companies contract work to tutors who aren't individually approved. Ask who will actually work with your child.
Pressure to commit quickly — Legitimate providers don't need high-pressure sales tactics.
Vague credentials — "Our tutors are highly qualified" without specifics about certifications or training.
No progress tracking — If they can't explain how they'll measure your child's improvement, reconsider.

7. Specialist vs generalist tutoring

There's an important difference between general academic tutoring and specialized learning support:

Generalist tutoring

• Homework help
• Test prep
• Subject review
• Study skills coaching
• Works for typical learners

Specialist tutoring

• Targets specific learning differences
• Uses evidence-based methods
• Trained in conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, autism
• Addresses underlying skill gaps
• Built for how your child learns

A child with dyslexia doesn't just need "more reading practice" — they need instruction designed for how their brain processes language. Look for Orton-Gillingham trained dyslexia tutors. A child with ADHD doesn't just need "more focus" — they need ADHD tutoring specialists who work with their attention patterns, not against them.

For children on the spectrum, autism tutoring specialists understand sensory needs and communication differences that generalist tutors often miss.

8. Why specialist tutoring for children with diagnoses

If your child has a diagnosis — autism, dyslexia, ADHD, a learning disability, or another condition that affects learning — generalist tutoring often isn't enough.

Consider:

Generalist tutors teach content. They help with math homework or essay structure.
Specialist tutors teach how to learn. They work on the underlying processing, attention, or executive function challenges that make learning difficult.

This is what we do at WV Hope Tutoring. Our tutors are special education professionals — trained in conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. We don't just reteach the lesson. We build the foundational skills your child needs to learn independently.

If your child has a diagnosis or has struggled in school despite extra help, consider whether generalist tutoring has worked in the past. If not, it may be time for a specialist approach. We offer free consultations to help you figure out what your child needs.

9. Online vs local tutoring

Both online and in-person tutoring are approved Hope Scholarship expenses. The right choice depends on your child:

Online Tutoring	Local In-Person
Same access statewide — no geography limits	Limited to providers in your area
Flexible scheduling around family routines	Must coordinate travel time
Child learns in comfortable home environment	Travel time required to provider location
Session recordings available for review	No recording typically available
Broader specialist pool to match child's needs	May have fewer specialist options
Technology required (computer, internet)	No technology requirements

When in-person may be better

• Your child struggles with screen-based attention
• Younger children who need hands-on materials
• When physical presence helps with focus
• If your child does better with in-room accountability

When online may be better

• Access to specialists not available locally (this is huge in WV)
• Scheduling flexibility
• Your child is comfortable with technology
• Reduces travel time and transportation logistics
• Consistent tutor relationship regardless of where you live

In West Virginia, many families find that online tutoring opens doors to specialists they couldn't access locally. A family in McDowell County has the same access to a dyslexia specialist as a family in Charleston — geography stops being a barrier.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know a provider is really approved?

Only providers listed in the Closed Marketplace within the Hope Scholarship portal can accept Hope funds. If a provider isn't in the portal, they cannot be paid with Hope Scholarship funds — no matter what they claim.

Can I switch providers mid-year?

Yes. You can change providers at any time during the school year. Simply stop authorizing payments to the current provider and select a new one from the portal. Unused funds remain in your account.

What if my preferred provider isn't on the EMA directory?

Ask the provider to register with the Hope Scholarship program through the New Provider Request Form. The registration process takes time, so if you need services soon, you may need to choose an already-approved provider.

How long does it take a provider to get approved?

After submitting the New Provider Request Form, the Hope Scholarship Board staff will create the provider's account and reach out with next steps. Timeline varies, but providers should expect several weeks for full approval and Closed Marketplace listing.

Can individual tutors register, or only companies?

Both. Individual tutors can register as individual providers, and companies can register as business providers. Individual providers receive payments directly; employees of a business provider are paid through the business.

What if my child needs a service no approved provider offers?

Contact the Hope Engagement Center at 681-999-HOPE. They can help identify providers who offer the service you need, or explain how a new provider could register to participate.

We're a Hope Scholarship approved provider

Specializing in children with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences. Let's talk about whether we're the right fit for your child.

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How to find a Hope Scholarship approved provider

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