Homeschool funding & ESAs in West Virginia

Can I get paid to homeschool in West Virginia?

Not as a salary. What West Virginia offers is an education savings account: the Hope Scholarship puts about $5,000 per student per year into an account you spend on expenses the program approves, rather than paying you to teach. An ESA comes with conditions — what the money may be spent on, what has to be reported, and in some states whether the child is still counted as a homeschooler. The program details below set those out. Romeschool tracks and organizes what you spend, so a receipt is ready the moment a program asks for one — it never files or submits anything on your behalf. It runs the other way too: West Virginia's homeschool rules require a test or an evaluation each year. The accepted options, and who administers each, are in the testing line below. If the option you choose charges a fee, plan for it.

West Virginia ESA program

What does West Virginia require of homeschoolers — and what should I plan for?

West Virginia requires a test or an evaluation each year. That is the part of the year a family arranges ahead of time. Which options West Virginia accepts — and who administers each one — is in the testing line below, in the reviewed rules' own words. If the option you choose charges a fee, plan for it. What West Virginia asks for — notice, instruction time, testing and records — is set out below, straight from the reviewed rules.

Notice

Yes. West Virginia requires homeschooling families to file a notice. Where it goes: County superintendent (or county board). How: Written Notice of Intent (with the child's details, an assurance of instruction in five subjects, and parent-qualification documentation; certified mail recommended). When: One-time before starting (and on moving counties or withdrawing from public school). One-time notice — not annual. New residents must notify the prior county and file a new notice in the new county.

Testing or evaluation

Yes. West Virginia requires a test or another accepted form of evaluation. How often: Annual (every year, all grades; submitted at grades 3, 5, 8, 11). Accepted options: nationally-normed standardized test (normed within 10 years); participation in the state public-school testing program; portfolio review by a certified teacher with a written narrative; and an alternative assessment agreed in advance with the superintendent. An annual assessment is required every year for all students, but results must be submitted to the county only at grades 3, 5, 8, 11 (by June 30). Acceptable progress = at/above the 4th stanine (23rd percentile) or improvement over the prior year.

Days and hours

None. West Virginia does not set a minimum number of instructional days or hours for homeschoolers. No statutory minimum days or hours.

Records

West Virginia requires these records: annual assessment results. How long, or where they go: Submit at grades 3, 5, 8, 11 (by June 30); retain copies (3+ years recommended). Assessment results are submitted to the county superintendent only at grades 3, 5, 8, 11; in other years the parent performs the assessment but keeps records internally.

Full West Virginia homeschool requirements →

Common questions about homeschool funding in West Virginia

Does West Virginia have an education savings account (ESA) for homeschoolers?

Yes. West Virginia offers the Hope Scholarship (about $5,000 per student per year), which independent homeschooling families can use for approved education expenses. Taking it changes the child's legal status — the note above the programs on this page says how. West Virginia's Hope Scholarship is broadly available; homeschool usability not yet confirmed.

How much is West Virginia's homeschool ESA worth?

Hope Scholarship provides approximately $5,000 per eligible student per year. Awards and eligibility change from year to year — confirm the current amount with the program before you rely on it.

Nationwide grants

• ACT Today! Grant · Autism Care Today
  For U.S. families of a child with an autism diagnosis (priority to household income under $100k).
  Open to any family of a child with autism — not homeschool-specific, but useful for therapy costs.
• Dyslexia Services Foundation Grant · Dyslexia Services Foundation
  For low-income U.S. children with dyslexia who cannot otherwise afford treatment (need shown via free/reduced lunch, Medicaid, or SNAP).
  Typically identified through a teacher or provider; not homeschool-specific.
• HSLDA Compassion Curriculum Grant · Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
  For HSLDA members with significant financial need (legal custody of a child 6-19, homeschooling 3+ months).
  You must privately fund your homeschool (not receiving ESA or other public funds).
• HSLDA Disaster Relief Grant · Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
  For homeschooling families (child 6-19) with physical disaster damage in the past 18 months.
• MyGOAL Autism Grant · MyGOAL Inc.
  For the primary caregiver of a child under 18 with autism, with demonstrated financial need.
  Open to any family of a child with autism — not homeschool-specific.
• Our Military Kids Grant · Our Military Kids
  For children (1-18) of deployed National Guard/Reserve members (60+ days) or of post-9/11 combat-injured service members and veterans.
  Funds organized, provider-led activities (not parent-taught core instruction).
• UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation Grant · UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
  For U.S. children aged 16 or under with commercial (non-public) health insurance, subject to income guidelines.
  Medical (not education) funding — useful for special-needs homeschoolers' therapy costs.

Full details, amounts and deadlines for every program →