Current:Home > MyWest Virginia expands education savings account program for military families-LoTradeCoin
West Virginia expands education savings account program for military families
View Date:2024-12-23 11:27:54
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A program that incentivizes West Virginia families to pull their children out of K-12 public schools by offering them government-funded scholarships to pay for private school or homeschooling is expanding to cover military families that temporarily relocate out of state.
The Hope Scholarship Board voted Wednesday to approve a policy to allow children of military service members who are required to temporarily relocate to another state remain Hope Scholarship eligible when they return to West Virginia, said State Treasurer Riley Moore, the board’s chairman.
“A temporary relocation pursuant to military orders should not jeopardize a child’s ability to participate in the Hope Scholarship Program,” Moore said in a statement.
Moore, a Republican who was elected to the U.S. House representing West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District this month, said he is “thrilled” to offer greater “access and flexibility” for military families. The change takes effect immediately, he said.
Passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2021, the law that created the Hope Scholarship Program allows families to apply for state funding to support private school tuition, homeschooling fees and a wide range of other expenses.
As of now, families can’t receive the money if their children were already homeschooled or attending private school. To qualify, students must be slated to begin kindergarten in the current school year or have been enrolled in a West Virginia public school during the previous school year.
However, the law expands eligibility in 2026 to all school-age children in West Virginia, regardless of where they attend school.
Going into the 2023-2024 school year, the Hope board received almost 7,000 applications and awarded the scholarship to more than 6,000 students. The award for this school year was just under $5,000 per student, meaning more than $30 million in public funds went toward the non-public schooling.
veryGood! (29915)
Related
- RHOP's Candiace Dillard Bassett Gives Birth, Shares First Photos of Baby Boy
- Danny Meyer and Tom Colicchio on humble beginnings and enduring legacy of NYC's Gramercy Tavern
- Texas inmate set to be executed on what would have been teen victim's 41st birthday
- Wisconsin Supreme Court says an order against an anti-abortion protester violated First Amendment
- ONA Community Introduce
- Who will be NHL MVP? Awards to be handed out Thursday
- Georgia stuns Portugal in biggest upset in Euro history
- 8 arrested men with ties to ISIS feared to have been plotting potential terrorist attack in U.S., sources said
- Keke Palmer Says Ryan Murphy “Ripped” Into Her Over Scream Queens Schedule
- He flipped off a trooper and got charged. Now Vermont is on the hook for $175,000
Ranking
- Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
- Nick Viall Slams Rumors About His Relationship With Wife Natalie Joy
- Florida’s balloon ban will protect sea turtles, birds and other marine life
- Snoop Dogg as track and field analyst? Rapper has big presence at Olympic trials
- Question of a lifetime: Families prepare to confront 9/11 masterminds
- Zach Edey NBA player comparisons: Who is Purdue big man, 2024 NBA Draft prospect similar to?
- Nicole Kidman and daughter Sunday twin in chic black dresses at Balenciaga show: See photos
- She crashed and got a DUI. Now this California lawmaker is on a mission to talk about booze
Recommendation
-
Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
-
2 killed at a Dallas-area fast food restaurant in shooting police say was targeted
-
California dad who drove family off cliff will get mental health treatment instead of trial
-
2024 NBA draft: Grades and analysis for every round 1 pick
-
Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
-
Kenya Moore is not returning to 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' following suspension: Reports
-
New Jersey police officer honored for rescuing pair from burning building
-
The Supreme Court seems poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho, a Bloomberg News report says