How to apply for the WV Hope Scholarship

1. Who's eligible for the Hope Scholarship

Starting with the 2026-27 school year, all West Virginia K-12 students are eligible for the Hope Scholarship. This is a major expansion from previous years when only certain students qualified. (For program background, see our complete Hope Scholarship guide.)

To be eligible, your child must:

• Be a West Virginia resident and remain a resident while participating
• Be enrolled or eligible to enroll in a WV public school in grades K-12
• Be under 21 years old and not have already completed high school
• For kindergarten: be at least 5 years old by July 1

This means students currently in private school, homeschool, or public school can all apply. The previous requirement that students must have attended public school is no longer in effect as of July 1, 2026.

2. What you need before you apply

Gather these documents before starting your application:

If you're not the parent listed on the birth certificate, you'll also need documentation establishing your legal authority to act on behalf of the child (guardianship papers, custody order, etc.).

3. How to get a WVEIS number

The WVEIS number is the identification number West Virginia's Department of Education uses to track student information. You cannot complete your Hope Scholarship application without it.

If your child attended WV public school

Your child already has a WVEIS number. Check old school records, report cards, or contact your former school district to retrieve it.

If your child has never attended WV public school

You'll need to request a WVEIS number from your county board of education:

1. Download the WVEIS ID Request Form from the Hope Scholarship website
2. Complete the form with your child's information
3. Email the form to your county board of education (email addresses are listed on the Hope Scholarship website)
4. Wait for the county to assign or locate an existing WVEIS number and email it back to you

4. The application portal

All applications are submitted through the online portal at HopeScholarshipWV.gov.

The portal is managed through the Education Market Assistant (EMA) platform, which is also where you'll manage your scholarship funds after approval.

Creating your account

1. Go to HopeScholarshipWV.gov
2. Click "Apply Now" or "New Students"
3. Create an account with your email address
4. Verify your email and set up your profile
5. Add your child's information and upload required documents
6. Submit the application

You can save your progress and return later. The portal also offers a Plaid service option to verify residency by scanning your driver's license.

5. Application deadlines and funding tiers

When you apply determines how much funding you receive in your first year. The full 2026-27 award is $5,435.62.

Once you've been in the program for a full year, you receive 100% funding regardless of when you complete your annual renewal.

6. After you apply

Here's what happens after you submit your application:

1. Review period — The Hope Scholarship Board reviews your application and verifies your documents. This typically takes 2-4 weeks.
2. Eligibility decision — You'll receive an email notification when your application status is updated in the portal.
3. Notice of Intent — If approved, you must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to your county board of education. This officially notifies them that your child is leaving public school.
4. Account funding — Funds are deposited into your child's Hope Scholarship account. For 2026-27, payments will be distributed quarterly: August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15.

You can track your application status in the online portal at any time.

Once approved, learn what you can spend your Hope Scholarship on and how to find an approved tutoring provider.

7. What happens if you miss the deadline

If you miss the June 15 deadline for 100% funding, you can still apply — you'll just receive prorated funding based on when your application is approved.

If you miss the final deadline (February 28, 2027), you won't receive any funding for the 2026-27 school year, but you can apply early for the following year.

8. Common application mistakes

Avoid these common errors that can delay your application:

• Wrong birth certificate type — Hospital-issued certificates are not accepted. You need a state or county birth certificate.
• PO Box only on residency documents — Your proof of residency must show a physical address, not just a PO Box.
• Missing WVEIS number — You cannot submit without this. Request it from your county early.
• Name mismatches — The name on your residency documents must match the name on the application.
• Waiting too long for WVEIS — County response times vary. Submit your request weeks before you plan to apply.

9. Renewal vs new application

Returning Hope Scholarship students don't need to reapply. Instead, you complete an Annual Continued Participation Confirmation between January 5 and June 15.

To stay eligible for renewal, you must:

• Remain a West Virginia resident
• Not have graduated high school
• Be under 21 years of age
• Meet Year-End Academic/Attendance Reporting Requirements by June 8

If you fail to complete the renewal confirmation, your account will be closed and any remaining funds returned to the state. You would need to reapply as a new student for the following year.

10. The 2026 legislative context

In February 2026, the West Virginia legislature considered several bills that would have significantly changed the Hope Scholarship program. One House Finance Committee originating bill proposed:

• Eliminating tutoring as a qualifying expense
• Removing after-school and summer programs
• Capping the award at $5,250 instead of linking it to the school aid formula
• Restricting funds to in-state providers only

After significant public pushback from homeschool families and school-choice advocates, the bill was narrowed: the proposal to eliminate tutoring as a qualifying expense was dropped, and a slimmer version dealing primarily with the funding distribution schedule cleared committee. By the end of the 2026 legislative session, the proposed tutoring restrictions had not become law. The Hope Scholarship program continues with tutoring as an approved expense for the 2026-27 school year.

However, the legislative conversation isn't over. Similar proposals could return in future sessions. If you're considering the Hope Scholarship for tutoring, applying sooner rather than later gives you more certainty about your options.

Frequently asked questions