CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lawmakers are facing mounting pressure to rein in the rising cost of West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship program, but significant changes have yet to materialize.
The Hope Scholarship provides public funds to families for use on private, parochial, and home schooling expenses. Proposals to cap annual scholarship amounts, limit eligibility to in-state schools, require standardized testing, and impose income restrictions were discussed during a packed Finance Committee meeting Thursday.
Instead, lawmakers advanced a brief, unsponsored bill that only changes the timing of scholarship payments. Rather than two larger payments, families would receive four smaller payments. The first installment, scheduled for Aug. 15, would be reduced, giving the state additional time to collect tax revenue to cover the same total annual cost.
Efforts to add income restrictions failed to advance after the committee chair ruled the proposed amendments were not germane to the payment-frequency bill.
Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, criticized the lack of broader reform, saying financial guardrails are needed to ensure the program’s sustainability and calling it fiscally irresponsible not to address the growing expense.
School choice advocates pushed back against additional restrictions, arguing the program should remain accessible.
Patrick Morrisey has called for fully funding the Hope Scholarship program at $230 million while also pursuing tax cuts.
The state Senate’s proposed budget includes $300 million for the Hope program and tax reductions, prioritizing school choice funding. The House version provides approximately $211 million for fiscal year 2027, along with $20 million in carryover funds.
Thursday’s committee action suggests that broader efforts to cap or significantly alter the program’s cost structure are unlikely in the near term.