Hope Scholarship Tutoring and Enrichment: What WV Families Can and Can't Fund

Tutoring and enrichment are among the most valuable uses of Hope Scholarship funds — and among the most compliance-sensitive. The difference between a qualifying tutor and a disqualified one can come down to a family connection the parent didn't even think about.

What Tutoring Qualifies

Hope Scholarship funds can pay for individual or group tutoring by certified, non-family providers registered as Education Service Providers (ESPs) with the Hope Scholarship Board. The tutor submits invoices through the portal's Direct Pay system, and the Account Holder approves the payment from the student's balance.

Qualifying tutoring includes academic subjects (math, reading, science, languages), test preparation, and specialized instruction for students with learning differences. The tutor must complete the formal ESP registration process under W. Va. Code §18-31-11, which includes state and federal criminal background checks and certification that no employee with a violent felony conviction or sex offender registry listing will have contact with students.

The Immediate Family Restriction

This is where most tutoring-related problems start. Under W. Va. Code §18-31-7(a) and CSR §112-18-2.15, Hope funds cannot compensate immediate family members for tutoring, instruction, or therapy services. The statute defines "immediate family" broadly:

• Parents and step-parents
• Grandparents
• Siblings and step-siblings
• First cousins
• Aunts and uncles
• In-laws and spouses of any of the above

A parent cannot pay themselves, a spouse, or a relative to instruct their child — even if the relative holds a valid teaching certification. This restriction extends to business entities: if a parent or relative owns 15% or more of a tutoring company, draws more than 15% of its gross revenue as salary, or serves as an officer or account signatory, that company cannot invoice the Hope Program for services to their related student.

This is enforced through the Control Employee Form (Appendix C of the Service Provider Handbook). Providers must disclose family connections, and the Board cross-references against student account records.

Qualifying Enrichment Activities

Beyond academic tutoring, the Hope Scholarship covers a range of enrichment:

• Educational therapies: Speech-language, occupational, physical, and ABA therapy from registered providers
• Standardized testing fees: AP exams, SAT, and nationally normed achievement tests
• Arts and activities: Musical instruments and art curriculum
• Museum and zoo entries: Listed as supplemental educational activities
• Dual enrollment: College-level course tuition and required textbooks for high school students taking dual-credit classes

What Doesn't Qualify

The line between enrichment and recreation catches families off guard:

• Amusement parks and general recreation — even "educational" theme parks don't qualify
• Dance costumes, athletic gear, or non-uniform apparel — unless it's a mandatory school uniform
• General entertainment — movie tickets, streaming subscriptions, gaming equipment
• Groceries and food — except official school lunch programs

The Board evaluates enrichment claims by whether the activity has a clear educational purpose connected to the student's instructional program. Musical instruments are listed among approved supplemental activities; use the portal's compliance review if a particular item's educational use is unclear.

Finding Qualified Tutors

In rural West Virginia counties, the supply of registered ESPs can be thin. The West Virginia Home Educators Association (WVHEA) maintains a directory of certified evaluators and educators. The Hope Scholarship portal itself lists registered providers by county and specialty — search there before hiring anyone to confirm they've completed the ESP registration process.

Online tutoring services that are registered as ESPs work statewide regardless of county — this is often the practical solution for families in counties with few local providers.

The West Virginia Hope Scholarship Parent Guide maps out which services qualify, the family restriction boundaries, and how to verify provider registration before committing to a tutoring relationship.

See more West Virginia guides →