Education (Student Financial Aid)

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 814: Supplemental appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 0313

This bill (SB 814) allocates $70,357,538 in unappropriated surplus funds from the State General Revenue Fund to the Hope Scholarship Program under the State Board of Education. It directly affects the Hope Scholarship Program by providing supplemental funding for fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change program rules or eligibility - it simply reallocates existing surplus funds to cover program costs. This is a routine budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates surplus funds to fund Hope Scholarship Program, supporting public education without new taxes or policy changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $70M surplus to Hope Scholarship Program, directly funding educational access without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 6, 2026

HB 5310: Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Education - Hope Scholarship Program from the Unappropriated Surplus Balance.

HB 5310 allocates $78,482,003 from West Virginia's unappropriated surplus balance in the General Revenue fund to the Hope Scholarship Program for fiscal year 2026. This supplemental appropriation directly funds the Hope Scholarship Program, which provides state-funded scholarships to students attending private schools. The bill uses leftover state funds identified in the Governor's budget document, adding a new line item to the Department of Education's budget without requiring new taxes. The funds are designated for use during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, as specified in the bill's appropriation table.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses unappropriated surplus to fund scholarships without new taxes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and program funding per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $78M from surplus to Hope Scholarship Program, expanding K-12 educational access via private school funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue State Budget Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1034: Increasing amount of funding counties receive for HOPE Scholarship enrollments

This bill ensures county school boards receive funding for students who qualify for West Virginia's Hope Scholarship but choose not to use it. Specifically, if a student isn't enrolled in a public school but is eligible for the scholarship (and declines it), the county board gets the same funding they would receive if the student attended a public school. The funding comes from the Hope Scholarship Program Fund and applies to students residing in the county. This change directly affects county school budgets and students who opt out of the scholarship program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures counties receive existing Hope Scholarship funds for eligible students who decline private options, maintaining public education budget allocation without new taxes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill preserves K-12 public school funding by ensuring counties receive allocated funds for eligible students who decline Hope Scholarships but aren't enrolled in public schools, directly strengthening school district finances.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 5212: Relating to financial aid for post-secondary education.

HB 5212 revises West Virginia's higher education financial aid programs to improve access and align with workforce development goals. It allows part-time enrollment for the higher education grant, combines the adult part-time grant into a new workforce-focused program, and updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal loan providers. The bill also adjusts eligibility for the PROMISE scholarship and WV Invests grant programs. These changes aim to better connect financial aid with employer needs as outlined in the bill's legislative findings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRevises higher education financial aid to improve access, align with workforce goals, and adjust grant programs for better student support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill updates medical/health sciences loan repayment programs to require direct payments to federal providers, supporting healthcare workforce development by easing repayment for medical professionals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5248: To create an initiative to provide minorities and males with an incentive to join the public education field

HB 5248 creates a statewide initiative to recruit minorities, males, and individuals from rural, isolated, or impoverished areas into public education careers in West Virginia. The bill requires the State Board of Education and county school boards to develop outreach programs (including informational materials and website content) about teacher preparation programs. It also establishes a scholarship fund to support individuals from these underrepresented groups pursuing teaching careers, with academic ability as the primary selection criterion. The scholarship aims to address teacher shortages by incentivizing new educators from these specific demographics.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes scholarship fund and outreach programs to recruit underrepresented groups into teaching careers, directly advancing K-12 educator diversity and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 841: Supplemental Appropriation to State Board of Education, fund 3951

SB 841 adds $30,498 to the State Board of Education's fund 3951 for the Hope Scholarship Program, using an unappropriated surplus from lottery net profits. This supplemental appropriation allocates existing lottery revenue - specifically from the surplus balance not included in the initial budget - to fund the Hope Scholarship Program during fiscal year 2026. The bill does not change the program's eligibility or structure but provides additional funding for student scholarships. The funds are designated for expenditure before June 30, 2026, as part of the state's budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates existing lottery surplus to fund Hope Scholarship Program, increasing public education funding without new taxes or program changes.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds $30,498 to Hope Scholarship Program via lottery surplus, increasing funding for student scholarships without altering eligibility, directly supporting educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 5647: Relating to creating the Open and Equal Opportunities in Student Activities Act.

HB 5647, the "Open and Equal Opportunities in Student Activities Act," allows homeschooled students, Hope Scholarship participants, and students at nonpublic schools to join extracurricular activities - including sports - at public or nonpublic schools that are members of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. This applies when their own school doesn’t offer the activity or isn’t a commission member. Students must register with their county school board, pay standard fees, follow school rules, and be covered by the school’s insurance. The bill clarifies participation doesn’t guarantee a spot on a team or activity, and students transferring mid-year follow standard transfer protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling homeschoolers/nonpublic students to join public school activities, directly aligning with 'expands educational access' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 5686: Relating to the timing of payments of annually required deposit into an eligible recipient’s Hope Scholarship account

HB 5686 changes the timing for annual deposits into West Virginia's Hope Scholarship accounts. Starting July 1, 2026, the total annual deposit must be paid in four equal installments: by August 15, October 15, January 15, and April 15 each year. This replaces the previous single annual payment requirement under §18-31-6(d). The bill directly affects Hope Scholarship recipients who receive these annual deposits. The change aims to provide more consistent funding throughout the year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationChanges payment timing to ensure consistent annual funding for Hope Scholarships, supporting stable educational access for recipients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 5245: Creating the Governor’s Cup competition

HB 5245 creates the "Governor's Cup Challenge," a yearly athletic competition between Marshall University and West Virginia University in NCAA Division I sports. The winning school earns points based on game outcomes, with the annual champion receiving 65% of scholarship funds generated from 20% of game-related revenue (tickets, merchandise, concessions). These funds support scholarships for West Virginia high school athletes who participated in sports but did not receive athletic scholarships to in-state colleges and are now pursuing degrees at those institutions. The program is administered by the university system's vice chancellor for administration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds K-12 scholarships for athletes via sports revenue, directly supporting educational access for students excluded from athletic scholarships.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

HB 5384: To authorize the HEPC to be able to adjust the required composite testing score for ACT and SAT in regard to PROMISE scholarship year to year in order to maximize the number of awards

HB 5384 authorizes West Virginia's Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) to annually adjust the required composite ACT/SAT scores for the PROMISE scholarship program. This change directly affects West Virginia students applying for PROMISE scholarships, which cover tuition costs at state colleges and universities. The bill allows HEPC to modify the minimum test score thresholds each year to maximize the number of eligible students, without altering the $4,750 award cap or other eligibility requirements like GPA or citizenship. The goal is to ensure scholarship funds are distributed to the highest number of qualifying students based on annual testing data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables HEPC to adjust test score thresholds annually to maximize PROMISE scholarship recipients, directly expanding access to higher education funding without reducing award amounts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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