Can I buy a laptop or tablet with Hope Scholarship?
With conditions. Computers, printers, smartboards and required software covered; most device types purchasable only once every 2 calendar years; headphones over $200 restricted
What you can buy with Hope Scholarship
16 kinds of expenses, each checked against the program's published rules as PencilGo read them on 2026-09-25. Pick one to see its vendors, or type an item to check it.
Is it covered by Hope Scholarship?
Type what you want to buy, for example a product name, a class or a service. We check it against the program's published expense rules and show the rule.
- Try:
Every category, with the West Virginia rule
Covered: usually coveredDepends: covered with conditionsNot covered: usually not coveredNot stated: not stated by the program
- Covered
Private school tuition & fees
Private or parochial school tuition and fees at a participating school; also microschool and out-of-state public school tuition/fees.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Online school & virtual courses
Tuition and fees for nonpublic online learning programs.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Curriculum, textbooks & workbooks
Programs of study, curriculum, or supplemental materials in reading, language, math, science, social studies, or the arts.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Reading books & e-books
Individual library membership fees; textbooks/workbooks covered as curriculum/off-the-shelf materials.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
School supplies & consumables
Basic educational supplies (paper, writing utensils, scissors, etc.).
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Computers, tablets, software & internet
Computers, printers, smartboards and required software covered; most device types purchasable only once every 2 calendar years; headphones over $200 restricted.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Tutoring
Tutoring covered but may not be provided by a member of the student's immediate family.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Classes, co-ops & camps
Fees for after-school or summer education programs.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Music, art & sports lessons
Music/instrument education covered; purchases over $1,000 for instruments/equipment may require proof of the course.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Educational therapies
Occupational, behavioral, physical, speech-language, and audiology therapies.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Testing, exams & evaluations
Fees for nationally standardized assessments, AP exams, college admission exams, and prep courses.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
College courses, dual enrollment & CTE
Tuition, fees, and materials for enrollment in dual credit or college-level courses.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Transportation
Fees paid to an approved fee-for-service transportation provider; note these amounts DO count as taxable income unlike other Hope expenses.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
School uniforms
Cost of school uniforms required by a participating school.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Depends
Field trips, museums & educational travel
General/special-event admission to museums, art/science/agricultural centers, geological locations, and zoos for educational purposes.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25. - Covered
Desks, instruments & learning equipment
Vocational supplies/equipment required for a K-12 course of study; assistive technology/equipment for a disability, including rentals.
Rule as PencilGo read it on 2026-09-25.
Hope Scholarship explicitly excludes: Pre-K instruction expenses; Tutoring provided by an immediate family member; Personal reimbursements outside the Board's limited Reimbursement Policy; Refunds/rebates paid directly to the parent instead of credited to the student's account; Reselling items purchased with Hope funds or using them to run a business.
Questions West Virginia families ask
Can I buy curriculum, workbooks and printable worksheets with Hope Scholarship?
Yes. Programs of study, curriculum, or supplemental materials in reading, language, math, science, social studies, or the arts
Does Hope Scholarship pay for music, art or sports lessons?
With conditions. Music/instrument education covered; purchases over $1,000 for instruments/equipment may require proof of the course
Does Hope Scholarship pay for tutoring?
With conditions. Tutoring covered but may not be provided by a member of the student's immediate family
Next
Before using ESA funds. Provider approval or a marketplace listing does not approve every product or confirm that a funded purchase can be made. Check Hope Scholarship's current rules and payment route before buying; a direct card purchase does not guarantee reimbursement. This hub is educational information, not legal, tax or eligibility advice. PencilGo is independent of state agencies.