How It Works

To apply, complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 every year. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year.

For a 2023-24 award, complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15, 2023.

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is available to qualified residents of West Virginia. The following criteria are used to determine student eligibility:

• A citizen of the United States
• West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to date of application (for dependent students, the legal residence of the parent(s) on the FAFSA is the student’s residency)
• Be a high school graduate or have earned a TASC (former GED) or high school equivalent certificate
• Demonstrate an established level of financial need
• Demonstrate academic promise
• Enroll at a participating institution in West Virginia or Pennsylvania as a full-time undergraduate student
• Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree

For the 2023-2024 award year, a student must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA up to and including 13000 when awards are made to qualify.

The award amount each year varies based on a number of factors, including the financial need of applicants and available funding by the West Virginia State Legislature.

For the 2023-24 award year, eligible students attending an eligible West Virginia institution may receive up to $3,300 for the year. Students attending an eligible Pennsylvania school may receive up to $600 year.

Award notifications for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant are sent to eligible high school students beginning in mid-May and to all other students in June to the email account listed on the FAFSA.

Payment will be made directly to the institution listed on the electronic award letter notification. The award may be transferred to a different eligible institution by utilizing the Transfer button on the electronic award letter.

Reduction or Cancelation of Award

The award may be reduced or canceled by an institution based upon program rules. If reduced or canceled, the financial aid office at the institution the student is attending will notify the student.

Changes to FAFSA

Any changes to the FAFSA can have a potential impact on eligibility, such as residency, student grade level, citizenship, or changes that impact the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated on the FAFSA.

Residency

If the student’s institution shows the student has not met the residency requirement, the award amount may be canceled.

Financial Need

Financial need is calculated by taking the cost of attendance (COA) of the school the student is attending and subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other financial aid received, not including student loans or work-study. If the student, who has met all other eligibility requirements, has remaining financial need after subtracting the EFC and other financial aid received from the COA, then the student may be eligible for an amount up to the annual award amount or their remaining financial need, whichever is less.

Example A:
Cost of attendance (COA) $10,000
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 5000
Pell Grant $695
Promise Scholarship $5,200

Remaining financial need is $0

After subtracting the EFC and other financial aid received from the COA, the student has no remaining financial need and would not qualify for the award.

Example B:
Cost of attendance (COA) $15,000
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 11,000
Institutional scholarship $2,500

Remaining financial need is $1,500

After subtracting the EFC and other financial aid received from the COA, the student has $1,500 in remaining financial need and would only be eligible for $,1500 of the award.

To renew, you must:

• Complete the FAFSA each year by April 15.
• Maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale by the end of each summer term.
• Meet the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
• Students receiving a two-semester award in an academic year must complete and earn a minimum of 24 semester credit hours in the academic year (fall through summer) or the equivalent for a quarter school.
• Students receiving a single-semester award must complete and earn a minimum of 12 credit hours in the academic year or the equivalent for a quarter school.
• Maintain West Virginia residency throughout college to remain eligible.

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant may be used at approved post-secondary public and independent institutions in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. The grant may be transferred from one eligible institution to another. You can view a list of eligible institutions by clicking here.