Does Penn Foster High School accept transfer credits from other schools?

Penn Foster does accept credits from previous high schools. To transfer credits for your student, an official, sealed transcript must be sent from the previous school for evaluation. Credits from courses that are equivalent to the Penn Foster curriculum and that come from regionally accredited high schools will be considered for transfer.

Can my student enroll in college after graduating from Penn Foster High School?

Penn Foster High School is an accredited program that allows students to earn a recognized high school diploma. However, acceptance of a high school diploma can vary based on the college or university. No form of accreditation can guarantee that any learning institution or employer will accept the high school diploma. We recommend checking with colleges and universities your student is interested in attending to verify they accept the Penn Foster High School diploma before enrolling into the program.

Can my student enroll in NCAA-approved courses?

Penn Foster doesnâ€™t currently offer NCAA-approved courses. However, Penn Fosterâ€™s general high school diploma is flexible enough to keep up with young athletes' busy travel and training schedules. They can gain an education that follows them anywhere, allows them to learn at their own pace, and can be accessed 24/7. Hear from one of our student athletes about her experience. Looking for courses registered with the NCAA? Learn more about the courses offered by Penn Fosterâ€™s partner school, James Madison High School, by calling 1-800-961-6407.

Can my homeschool student complete all of their work online?

The amount of work that can be completed online varies by program. Some high school programs can be completed entirely online, while others may require physical textbooks.

Do I need to purchase textbooks for their online classes?

No! Most of the coursework is easily accessible to the student through their student portal. The majority of study guides and materials are provided online for a mobile learning experience. For courses requiring textbooks, students will receive access to digital eBooks at no extra cost.

Does Penn Foster alert my local school of my student's enrollment for truancy purposes?

Before enrolling your student in Penn Foster High School, we advise checking with your school district or board of education to verify what steps you need to take to provide proof of enrollment. Penn Foster doesnâ€™t contact your district, so parents are responsible for ensuring any necessary paperwork is completed to prevent truancy.

Does my student need to take standardized exams or pass a state-mandated test to graduate?

No! In order to graduate, your student must simply complete and pass all courses and assignments, and tuition needs to be paid in full to receive their official diploma. While some states do require graduation tests before awarding diplomas, Pennsylvania, where weâ€™re licensed, does not. Standardized testing is not required in our curriculum, though parents can choose to pursue that for their students outside of Penn Foster.

West Virginia Hope Scholarship Program + Penn Foster

If you’re a West Virginia resident, you may be able to make the switch to online learning at little-to-no cost to you* with Penn Foster High School—where tuition may be fully covered for eligible students by the Hope Scholarship Program.

Learn more about Penn Foster, using your Hope Scholarship funds, and how to get started by speaking with a representative today!

1-800-668-8130

Why choose online high school?

West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship Program is designed to allow parents and guardians the opportunity to pursue education that best works for their child. For many students, online high school can be a great fit, allowing them to work toward graduation at the pace that works best for them. That means that they can tailor their learning experience to their learning style, ensuring they get the most out of their education!

Why choose Penn Foster?

Penn Foster’s flexible, online high school is approved for the Hope Scholarship Program in West Virginia, which means eligible students can start learning at their own pace and at little-to-no cost to you. With no set schedules, due dates, or timed exams, Penn Foster empowers your student to prepare for their future on the timeline that works best for your family!

View Full Program Overview

How to Use Hope Scholarship funds for Penn Foster High School

Set up your ESA funds and get started with Penn Foster High School:

Contact Penn Foster at (800) 668-8130 to connect with an ESA specialist and prepare for the enrollment process. Do not call a different admissions number or enroll online. You should not enroll until your funds have been approved, because the Hope Scholarship Program will not reimburse you if you pay out of pocket.
Create an account for the online platform, then go to the “My Applications” tab to submit an application. You can check the status of your application there.
Once you are notified that your application has been marked “eligible,” file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with your county superintendent. You can find their contact information online. Once your NOI has been confirmed by the Hope Scholarship Program, your student’s status will change from “eligible” to “approved.”
When your application has been approved, return to the Hope Scholarship Portal.
From the “My Applications” tab, you will have the option to “Select School,” and locate PF High School. Select “Buy Now” to apply funds toward your student’s Penn Foster enrollment.
Finally, a representative from Penn Foster will contact you to finalize the enrollment process.

Learn more about online high school

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What Is Virtual High School, And Is It Right for Me?

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A Parents Guide To Online High School

Are Online High School Diplomas Legitimate?

West Virginia Hope Scholarship FAQs

What is the Hope Scholarship?

The Hope Scholarship is intended to expand educational opportunities for West Virginia families. This gives families the freedom to choose their own educational path, whether that’s home education, a private school, or online learning—like Penn Foster High School.

How can I use the Hope Scholarship?

Hope Scholarship funds are intended to help expand educational opportunities for eligible West Virginia students. Purchases are made directly on the online portal to pay for tuition at participating schools, tutoring, online learning programs, extracurricular activities, and other approved educational expenses.

It’s important to understand what purchases are allowed before spending any funds. A full list of approved spending categories can be found in the Parent Handbook.

Is my student eligible for the Hope Scholarship?

To be eligible for the Hope Scholarship, your student must meet a few eligibility requirements:

Your student must be a resident of West Virginia.
They must be under 21 years of age and must not have completed a high school or secondary education program already.
They must have been enrolled in public school for the entirety of the previous school year, or for at least 45 consecutive calendar days of the current school year.

Additional details on eligibility requirements can be found in the Parent Handbook. When you apply, you will be required to include documentation that verifies your student’s identity and eligibility.

What documentation will I need to provide when applying for a Hope Scholarship?

Your student’s West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS) Number, which you can get from your student’s local county board of education.
A copy of your student’s state or county birth certificate.
Proof of current West Virginia residency, such as current tax records, two different utility bills from within the last 60 days, or current proof of public assistance. A full list of acceptable proof can be found on page 6 of the parent handbook.

How do I apply for the Hope Scholarship Program?

To apply, create an account on the Hope Scholarship online portal, then use the “My Applications” tab to submit an application. You’ll need your student’s West Virginia Education Information System (WVEIS) Number, their birth certificate, and proof of residency to confirm your eligibility.

After confirming your student’s eligibility, you’ll submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to your county superintendent and wait for your application to be approved.

Want to apply for a Hope Scholarship but still not sure how to get started? We can help. Call us at (800) 668-8130 for additional guidance.

Is there a deadline for submitting a Hope Scholarship application?

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year opened March 1, 2025 and should be submitted by June 15, 2025 to receive full funding. Your student may still receive funding if you apply after this date, but the amount received will be prorated based on when the application was received.

Funding deadlines:

6/15/25 for 100% of the scholarship amount.
9/15/25 for 75% of the scholarship amount.
11/30/25 for 50% of the scholarship amount.
2/28/26 for 25% of the scholarship amount.

Even if you do not receive the full scholarship amount, your student’s scholarship may still be enough to fully cover the cost of Penn Foster High School’s tuition.

How do I use Hope Scholarship funds to pay for school and other expenses?

Funds will become available on the Hope Scholarship online portal, where you will make most purchases directly. In some limited instances, the Board may authorize a reimbursement for qualifying purchases made outside the online portal, but you should review the reimbursement policy carefully to avoid incurring expenses that won’t be reimbursed.

What if I have other questions about Hope Scholarship funds?

For questions related to using your funds to enroll with Penn Foster, you can call us at (800) 668-8130 for additional guidance.

Other questions about Hope Scholarship funds can be directed to [email protected] or the Hope Engagement Center at 681-999-HOPE(4673). The Engagement Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.

*While funds may fully cover Penn Foster tuition, the amount of funding you receive isn’t guaranteed and not controlled by Penn Foster. If you do not receive the full amount of funds to cover your student’s Penn Foster High School tuition, our specialists can help determine next steps when you are in the enrollment process.