Policy 260 - Education Provider - Hope Scholarship Program
Adopted on August 13, 2026
Effective August 14, 2026
I. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for Hope Scholarship students who wish to participate in individual instructional courses, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and extracurricular activities offered by the Roane County Board of Education (Board) as an approved Education Service Provider (ESP) under the West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program.
Participation in athletics and other activities governed by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) shall be subject to applicable Roane County Board of Education policies and all WVSSAC eligibility requirements.
II. Definitions
For purposes of this policy:
A. Account or Scholarship means a Hope Scholarship account established pursuant to West Virginia Code §18-31-1 et seq., through which scholarship funds are distributed to the parent or legal guardian of an eligible student to pay qualified educational expenses.
B. Curriculum means a complete course of study for a particular grade level or content area, including textbooks, workbooks, instructional materials, curriculum kits, activity guides, learning resources, and supplemental materials required for instruction.
C. Education Service Provider (ESP) means an individual or organization approved to receive payments from Hope Scholarship accounts for providing educational goods or services to Hope Scholarship students.
D. Hope Scholarship Funds means monies deposited into a Hope Scholarship account in accordance with West Virginia law.
E. Hope Scholarship Student means a student who has been awarded and is participating in the Hope Scholarship Program pursuant to West Virginia Code.
F. Individualized Instruction Program (IIP) means a customized educational program provided outside a traditional school setting. Students participating in an IIP are governed by the requirements of the Hope Scholarship Program unless otherwise provided by law.
G. Resident School District means the county school district in which the student resides.
III. Participation Procedures
A. Application Procedures
Parents or legal guardians seeking to enroll a Hope Scholarship student in one or more instructional courses, Career and Technical Education programs, or extracurricular activities offered by Roane County Schools shall submit a written request to the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee using forms and procedures established by the district.
Requests shall be submitted annually and approved based on class size, staffing, scheduling, facility capacity, and applicable eligibility requirements.
B. Participation Fees
Hope Scholarship students may participate in instructional courses according to grade level, prerequisite requirements, and available space.
The following participation fees shall apply:
· One-eighth (1/8) of the annual Hope Scholarship award for each year-long instructional course.
· One-eleventh (1/11) of the annual Hope Scholarship award for football or band. (Students must be enrolled in band class to participate in extracurricular band)
· One-twelfth (1/12) of the annual Hope Scholarship award for each extracurricular activity governed by this policy.
Participation fees shall be paid in full before the student is permitted to participate unless alternative payment arrangements are approved by the Superintendent or Designee.
Participation in WVSSAC-governed athletic programs shall be subject to all applicable fees, eligibility requirements, and Board policies governing interscholastic athletics.
In addition to participation fees, parents or legal guardians shall be responsible for all other required costs, including but not limited to:
· School supplies;
· Textbooks or instructional materials, when applicable;
· Laboratory or examination fees;
· Uniforms;
· Equipment;
· Activity fees; and
· Any other expenses required of similarly situated Roane County Schools students.
These obligations remain the responsibility of the parent or guardian regardless of the balance remaining in the student's Hope Scholarship account.
Annual approval is contingent upon a zero balance. Any unpaid balances owed to Roane County Schools from previous school years must be satisfied before the student may participate in courses or activities during a subsequent school year.
C. Student Expectations
Hope Scholarship students participating in Roane County Schools programs shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws, West Virginia Board of Education policies, Roane County Board of Education policies, school rules, and administrative regulations.
Students shall be held to the same academic, attendance, conduct, and disciplinary standards as all other students participating in the same courses or activities.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in suspension or removal from the course, program, or extracurricular activity, consistent with applicable Board policy and due process requirements.
IV. Billing and Payment
Roane County Schools shall invoice participation fees through the Hope Scholarship payment system administered by the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office whenever applicable and consistent with state requirements for approved Education Service Providers.
If Hope Scholarship funds are insufficient to cover the amount owed, any remaining balance shall be billed directly to the student's parent or legal guardian.
Funds received under this policy shall be deposited into the appropriate Roane County Board of Education account to support instructional and extracurricular services provided to Hope Scholarship students.
V. Return to Full-Time Enrollment
If a Hope Scholarship student returns to full-time enrollment in Roane County Schools after October 1 of the school year, the Board may request the transfer of any remaining Hope Scholarship funds in accordance with West Virginia Code §18-31-8 to offset the cost of educating the student for the remainder of the school year.
VI. Legal Authority
This policy is adopted pursuant to:
· West Virginia Code §18-2-25;
· West Virginia Code §18-8-1;
· West Virginia Code §18-31-1 et seq. (Hope Scholarship Act);
· West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2436.10; and
· Applicable rules and guidance issued by the West Virginia State Treasurer's Office and the West Virginia Department of Education.
VII. Review
The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for implementing this policy and developing administrative procedures necessary for its administration. This policy shall be reviewed periodically and revised as necessary to maintain compliance with applicable law and State Board policy.
This page accessed on September 29, 2026 @ 12:17 am.