State Aid Programs
Up to $4,750 is available to qualified students to offset tuition and fee charges for the academic year. It is funded by West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and is awarded to WV high-school seniors on the basis of their high school academic records and test scores.
High school students who are WV residents must submit a WV PROMISE Application and file a FAFSA by March 1 prior to the academic year enrolling in a West Virginia college or university.
Please review the PROMISE Scholarship website for application procedures, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and renewal criteria.
Eligibility for renewal is examined at the end of a year of scholarship utilization, based on first-time semester enrollment. A student who does not meet the renewal criteria for a the PROMISE Scholarship at the end of the spring semester may make a PROMISE Scholarship Reinstatement Request if the deficiency can be remediated during the summer. Students who do not meet the renewal criteria by the start of fall semester lose future eligibility for institutional scholarships.
Up to $3,200 per academic year– Recipients must be U.S. citizens, WV residents (student and parents) for 12 months immediately prior to April 15 preceding the academic year of enrollment. Students receiving WV Higher Education Grant must demonstrate financial need, enroll full time and maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA). In addition, students must earn a minimum of 24 credit hours to renew the grant. The maximum number of semesters or equivalent the student may receive WV Higher Education Grant is 8 semesters (or 4 years). Students must file the FAFSA by April 15 prior to the academic year the student plans to enroll.
The WV Higher Education Policy Commission has agreed to allow students to appeal to waive the full time requirement for the WV Higher Education Grant when a student is unable to be full time in degree pursuant courses due to graduating. To apply for the waiver, please contact our Financial Aid Office.
Is awarded to part-time WV residents (resident for a minimum of 12 months) seeking an undergraduate degree, who demonstrate financial need, and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Funding for this program is limited; therefore, all part-time WV students who qualify will be considered to the extent of funding availability. Students must complete a HEAPS application for each semester of enrollment.
Up to $3,000 is available for high school graduating students, who may apply for this scholarship if accepted for enrollment as a full-time student in an engineering, science or technology program. Funding from this scholarship is from the state of West Virginia. Click here for more information about the West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program and to submit an application.
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school. Recipients will receive $10,000 per year for up to four years (up to the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and other approved educational expenses). In exchange, Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars must agree to teach in a West Virginia public school in an area of critical need (math, science, elementary education or special education) for a period of five years after graduating from college.
For more information about this program and the application process click here.
Almost every state education agency has at least one grant or scholarship available to residents, and many have a long list of student aid programs. Eligibility is usually restricted to state residents attending a college in-state, but that’s not always the case. There are annual deadlines for most programs (if you miss a deadline, be sure to try again next year). Click here to find out what financial aid programs may be available to you through your state education agency.
