Education (Student Financial Aid)

HB 4112 creates a tax credit for West Virginia parents or legal guardians who homeschool or send children to private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the annual HOPE Scholarship amount per taxpayer (not per child) and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026. Families already eligible for the HOPE Scholarship cannot claim this credit. The bill does not allow the State Board of Education to add new regulations for homeschooled children receiving this credit.

HB 4189 modifies West Virginia's Hope Scholarship program by adding income-based eligibility limits for families. It sets award percentages based on family income relative to federal poverty levels (e.g., full awards for families at or below 450% poverty, 10% for those at or below 750%). The bill also requires counties to be reimbursed for services provided to scholarship recipients and mandates parents submit tax documentation to verify income, with strict confidentiality protections. This directly affects low-to-moderate-income families seeking scholarship funds for K-12 education expenses.

HB 4701 creates the West Virginia Math & Science Teacher Scholarship Act, providing debt relief to certified math, science, and special education teachers working in West Virginia public schools. Eligible teachers receive up to $2,000 after three years of service and an additional $2,000 after six years (capped at $4,000 total), contingent on holding a master's degree in their specialty field and meeting residency requirements. The program, administered by the state's education office, requires teachers to maintain employment in qualifying positions to receive funds. It will operate from January 1, 2027, through January 1, 2037, with a sunset provision.

HB 4611 establishes "Public Community Micro Schools" (PCMS) for West Virginia public schools with fewer than 150 students, enabling parent-led conversion to give families direct control over school decisions. To become a PCMS, at least five parents must form a committee, secure a 2/3 vote from parents representing at least one-third of enrolled students, and gain approval for the school to operate under parent governance. PCMS schools would receive two dedicated funding streams: Hope Scholarship funds for staffing (via an "ESA" account) and per-pupil operational funds (for transportation and costs), while waiving most state staffing rules (except special needs requirements). The bill also allows PCMS to use alternative leadership models (like a head teacher) and vertical classroom integration, with parent committees retaining veto power over closures or consolidations.

This bill creates the West Virginia TEACH Scholarship Program to help child-care workers pursue higher education. It provides scholarships covering tuition and mandatory fees (up to the average cost at eligible institutions) for associate or bachelor's degrees in early childhood education at West Virginia public community colleges or universities. Recipients must agree to work in an eligible child-care facility in the state for a specified period after graduation. The program aims to address West Virginia's child-care crisis and boost workforce participation by making education affordable for current and future child-care providers.

This bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.