WV Higher Education Grant

West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program for undergraduate students who attend an approved private or public university or college in the state of West Virginia or Pennsylvania.¹

Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and may generally be combined with other state, federal, and institutional financial aid.

FAQ

Who qualifies for the WV Higher Education Grant?

An applicant must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Be a U.S. citizen and a West Virginia resident for at least 12 months before applying. For a dependent student, the parents’ legal residence on the FAFSA counts.
2. Be a high school graduate or have earned a high school equivalency credential.
3. Be an undergraduate student with no prior bachelor’s degree.
4. Be admitted and enrolled at least part-time at a participating institution in West Virginia or Pennsylvania.
5. Have financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
6. Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of no more than 13,000.

A new recipient must also meet an academic requirement. A recent high school graduate needs a 2.0 high school grade point average (GPA) or a passing score on an equivalency exam. A student with college credit needs a 2.0 college GPA and must meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards.²

How much is the WV Higher Education Grant?

Award amounts are based on a student’s demonstrated financial need and available funding, up to a maximum of $3,400 for each academic year. The maximum grant for students attending an eligible Pennsylvania school is significantly lower at $600 per year.³

What is the deadline for the WV Higher Education Grant?

An applicant must complete the FAFSA by April 15 each year. A student who files by the deadline and meets the initial requirements is awarded in May, and later award cycles depend on available funding. The FAFSA deadline cannot be appealed.³

How do I apply for WV Higher Education Grant?

To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the April 15 deadline.⁴ After you file, you may create a WVSAM account through College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) to monitor your eligibility and award information.

Award notifications are sent in mid-May to eligible high school students and in June to all other students, to the email address listed on your FAFSA.

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Office of Financial Aid and Outreach
(304) 558-4618

How do I renew the WV Higher Education Grant?

To renew, complete the FAFSA by April 15 each year, keep a 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of each summer term, meet your school’s satisfactory academic progress policy, and remain a West Virginia resident. If you have a two-semester award, you must earn at least 24 credit hours in the academic year or 12 credit hours for a single-semester award.

How many semesters can a student receive the WV Higher Education Grant?

The grant covers up to the equivalent of eight full-time terms, or until the student completes the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. It cannot be used for summer terms or deferred.³

Can the WV Higher Education Grant be used at a school in another state?

The grant may be used at approved public and independent institutions in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. The maximum award at a Pennsylvania institution is lower, at $600 per year. A student may transfer to another eligible institution within the award year without losing the grant.³