West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore Touts Hope Scholarship in Weirton
Craig Howell
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WEIRTON - West Virginia's Hope Scholarship provides a new opportunity in education, according to State Treasurer Riley Moore.
Moore, who acts as administrator of the program, was in Weirton Sunday, meeting with a group of approximately 25 students and family members at Madonna High School as part of a tour of the state to discuss the requirements and processes of the Hope Scholarship.
Created by the West Virginia Legislature in 2021, Moore described the Hope Scholarship program as an Education Savings Account for West Virginia students in kindergarten through the 12th grade.
"This is one of the most broad education savings accounts in the country," Moore said.
As part of the program, parents can apply for, and receive, money, using the state's portion of the Student Funding Formula, and put it toward various education-related expenses, including private school tuition, books, uniforms, home tutoring and learning aides. It currently is limited to those enrolled in public schools, but is set to open up to private school and homeschool students in 2026.
"The idea here is education with freedom of choice," Moore said, explaining the funds provided are approximately $4,500 per year for each student accepted.
The application period is held March 1 to May 15, and students wishing to take part must apply each year. The application process and other aspects of the program are handled through an online portal reachable through the State Treasurer's Office website.
"We're not sending people checks or debit cards," he said, noting the practice is an effort to ensure misuse of funds does not occur.
Moore noted the Legislature, through the law establishing the program, has agreed to provide funds each year, estimated at $150 million annually, for the program, explaining while state funds provided under the per-student funding formula are used, federal funds still are provided to the counties.
He said the Hope Scholarship is not intended as a way to hurt public schools, but to provide new avenues for education and opportunities for West Virginia's children.
"The idea at the end of the day is to make public education more competitive," Moore said. "This is a program not about teachers, it's about students and children."