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ELKINS - Hope Scholarship participation in Upshur and Randolph counties has roughly doubled over last year, mirroring the trend across the state after a new rule was introduced this year allowing all K-12 resident students to participate.
Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Tim Derico has announced that the county’s Hope Scholarship participation rose from 146 students last year to 273 this year, nearly doubling.
On Sept. 2, Randolph County Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Lambert gave the Board of Education an update on the county’s Hope Scholarship numbers.
"Hope Scholarship participation increased by 119%, from 193 students to 423 students in one year," Lambert said. "And I will remind everyone that this was the first year that it was available to everyone."
Before school started in August, Lambert announced that Randolph County Schools would have around 250 less students this year, partially due to increased Hope Scholarship participation.
Similar numbers are being posted in counties statewide.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey fully funded the Hope Scholarship program at $276 million in the FY 2027 state budget, and signed House Bill 5686 to set up scholarship payments on a quarterly schedule.
"The Hope Scholarship is not just an investment in education; it is an investment in West Virginia's future. I will continue to defend this program and ensure that every family in our state has the freedom to choose the best educational option for their children," Morrisey said in a social media post earlier this year.
More than 26,000 students applied for full Hope Scholarship funding for the 2026-2027 school year, up from the roughly 15,000 in 2025-2026.
New this year, all K-12 resident students are eligible to participate in the program, including traditional homeschoolers and existing private school students who previously did not qualify.
The full annual scholarship amount for this school year is set at $5,435.62 per student, and is now distributed on a quarterly payment schedule to improve the timing and stability of funds for participating families, officials said.