Governor Morrisey signs HOPE Scholarship reform legislation in Beckley

PRESS RELEASE

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Governor Patrick Morrisey today joined students, families, and educators in Beckley to promote the HOPE Scholarship program and sign House Bill 5686, legislation that transitions scholarship payments to a quarterly schedule to strengthen the program’s long-term stability.

“HOPE is about giving parents the ability to choose the educational setting that best fits their child’s needs,” said Governor Morrisey. “West Virginia has strong public schools and dedicated teachers, and this program is about expanding options so families can make the decisions that work best for them.”

The HOPE Scholarship provides West Virginia families with flexible education options, including public, private, faith-based, and home-based learning, ensuring that students can access an education that aligns with their individual needs and goals. As the program continues to expand toward universal eligibility, participation has grown across the state, giving more families the opportunity to take an active role in shaping their child’s education.

House Bill 5686 transitions scholarship payments to a quarterly schedule, improving the timing of fund availability for families while strengthening the program’s financial structure as it continues to grow.

The bill was created after Governor Morrisey proposed pre-paying for the HOPE Scholarship and called for fully implementing and financing the program for the first time ever in his State of the State address.

“This change strengthens the HOPE Scholarship by making it more responsive to families and better positioned for continued growth,” Governor Morrisey said. “It ensures the program remains stable, reliable, and available for West Virginia families now and in the future.