The Hope Scholarship handbook excludes Pre-K, so a three- or four-year-old in Charleston cannot draw on Hope. West Virginia fills part of that gap with Universal Pre-K, which the state Department of Education runs in all 55 counties at no cost for every 4-year-old and some 3-year-olds.
Each county board of education organizes its own Pre-K enrollment. A Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln or Clay family should ask its county's Pre-K office where classrooms are located and when registration opens.
For working families, the state's child care subsidy helps pay a licensed provider. A family must live with the child, work, attend school or take part in WV Works, and enter with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; once enrolled it can stay eligible up to 185%. Applications go through a regional Child Care Resource and Referral agency, and the state Department of Human Services can confirm current income limits.
When the child turns five and starts kindergarten, the Hope Scholarship becomes available. Planning that transition early means the family can apply in the 100% funding window, which for 2026-27 ran from March 2 to June 15.
Combining it with other sources
Free Pre-K and Child Care Assistance can usually be used alongside the school's own aid. Rules differ by source, so the funding check maps which ones fit together for your child.
Common questions
Can a Charleston family use the Hope Scholarship for preschool?
No. The Hope Scholarship Parent Handbook excludes Pre-K, and Hope begins at kindergarten. A Charleston family with a 4-year-old can instead enroll in West Virginia Universal Pre-K, which is free in Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln and Clay counties. When the child reaches kindergarten age, the family can apply for the Hope Scholarship, ideally in the spring 100% funding window.
Who qualifies for West Virginia child care assistance in Kanawha County?
West Virginia child care assistance is for a family that lives with the child, is working, in school or in WV Works, and has income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level when it applies. Once enrolled, a Kanawha County family can stay eligible up to 185%. Families apply through their regional Child Care Resource and Referral agency, and should confirm current limits with the state.