Every way to pay for private school in Charleston
West Virginia has one main program, the Hope Scholarship, and no tax-credit scholarship. These five pages cover Hope and the money that fills the gaps around it for families in Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay counties.
Quick answer
Charleston-area families pay for private and home education mainly with West Virginia's Hope Scholarship, worth $5,435.62 for a full 2026-27 year, because the state has no tax-credit scholarship. Catholic school families can add diocesan tuition assistance of up to 50%, and families with preschoolers use free Universal Pre-K.
Hope Scholarship
West Virginia's Hope Scholarship puts $5,435.62 a year into an online account for every K-12 student in Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay counties, starting with 2026-27.
Who qualifies →Published list · checked Oct 2026Hope Participating Schools in the Kanawha Valley
Which private schools and microschools in Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay counties appear on the Hope Scholarship Board's published list, and what being on it means.
Who qualifies →Catholic schools · need-basedDiocese of Wheeling-Charleston Tuition Assistance
The diocesan Tuition Assistance Program can cover up to half of a child's tuition at Catholic schools such as those in Charleston and St. Albans.
Who qualifies →Ages 3-4 · Hope does not cover Pre-KFree Pre-K and Child Care Assistance
Hope starts at kindergarten, so families with younger children in Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay counties rely on free Universal Pre-K and state child care assistance.
Who qualifies →High school · Hope-eligibleDual Credit and College Courses
Hope pays tuition, fees and materials for dual-credit and college-level courses, which Kanawha Valley high schoolers can take through local colleges.
Who qualifies →Dates to know
- Oct 15, 2026Second quarterly Hope deposit. A family approved in the 50% window with a Notice of Intent filed by Oct 1 is funded from this payment on.
- Nov 30, 2026Last day to apply for 2026-27 at the 50% funding level ($2,717.81).
- Jan 2, 2027Notice of Intent cutoff for the Jan 15 deposit.
- Feb 28, 2027Last day to apply for 2026-27 at all (25% level from Dec 1).
- Mar 1, 2027Hope portal opens new applications for 2027-28. Exact 2027-28 windows and amount are not yet published.
- Jun 8, 2027Annual academic and attendance reporting due for Hope students.
- Jun 15, 2027Returning families file the Continued Participation Confirmation, or funds return to the state.
Hope Scholarship calculator What's left after Hope What Hope pays for
See what Hope means for your child
Answer a few questions about grade, school and county. A School Funding Advisor calls back with your Hope timing and any aid that fits. No cost.