West Virginia Scholarships & Grants
West Virginia featured 44 degree-granting, post-secondary institutions as of the 2008 to 2009 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. State residents planning for or currently attending college at these institutions or those outside the state can benefit from West Virginia grants and scholarships. These forms of financial aid function like gifts and do not require repayment.
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West Virginia Higher Education Grant
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The West Virginia Higher Education Grant provides tuition assistance for West Virginia residents who have a demonstrated financial need. To apply for the grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Recipients may use the higher education grant at any accredited, public or private institution in West Virginia or the neighboring state of Pennsylvania. Student can receive the grant annually, provided they remain financially eligible. The amount of the grant varies based upon the cost of tuition at students' respective colleges.
HEAPS Grant Program
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The Higher Education Adult Part-time Student Grant Program is for students who have demonstrated financial need as determined by their answers on the FAFSA form. To qualify, one year of residency in West Virginia is necessary. Additionally, part-time enrollment at a public or private, accredited institution in West Virginia is mandatory. Commonly referred to as HEAP grants, the awards are renewable annually for up to nine years, provided students remain eligible. As of 2010, the maximum annual amount for the grants was $2,000 with actual amounts varying based upon the cost of the college.
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West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
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The West Virginia Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence or PROMISE Scholarship covers all or part of tuition for eligible West Virginia residents regardless of financial need. A separate application beyond the FAFSA is necessary for the award. To qualify, students must have a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and achieve minimum scores on the ACT or SAT college admission tests. Students may use the scholarship funds at any pubic or private, accredited post-secondary institution in the state. Renewable for up to four years if students remain eligible, the maximum amount of the award was $4,750 as of December 2010.
Other State-Sponsored Scholarships
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Three additional state-sponsored scholarships are available to West Virginia residents who meet certain criteria. The West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship program for students in an engineering, natural science or technology undergraduate program at any accredited college or university who agree to work for three years in the state after graduation. A similar program, the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is for students in education programs who agree to work in the state for two years. The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program provides an annual award for students in any academic major who meet certain merit criteria.
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References
- U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences: Degree-granting Institutions and Branches
- College Foundation of West Virginia: West Virginia Higher Education Grant
- College Foundation of West Virginia: Higher Education Adult Part-time Student Grant Program
- College Foundation of West Virginia: West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
- College Foundation of West Virginia: West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program
- College Foundation of West Virginia: Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program
