The purpose of the HEAPS Grant Program is to encourage and enable needy West Virginia students who desire to continue their education on a part-time basis at the post-secondary level

Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Grant Program

PURPOSE: The purpose of the HEAPS Grant Program is to encourage and enable needy West Virginia students who desire to continue their education on a part-time basis at the post-secondary level.
Students may apply for the HEAPS Grant Program and/or the HEAPS Grant Program Workforce Development Component

ELIGIBILITY Criteria for HEAPS Grant Program:
Is a West Virginia resident a minimum of 12 consecutive months and a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the U. S.;
Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program of study with a goal of attaining a certificate, an associate or bachelors degree as an undergraduate on a part-time basis at an eligible institution of higher education. Part-time means enrollment for not less than six or more than eleven semester hours of college course work or its equivalent. However, for no more than two semesters, a recipient may take three to five hours;
Is making satisfactory progress at the time of application. Satisfactory progress for a first time award means being accepted for enrollment by the institution the applicant plans to attend. Thereafter, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Demonstrates financial need for as determined by the participating institutions;
Demonstrates that he or she has applied for, accepted, or both, other student financial assistance in compliance with federal financial aid rules, including the Federal Pell Grant. Applicant must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
Has complied with the Military Selective Service Act;
Is not in default on a higher education loan;
Is not incarcerated in a correctional facility;
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS: An eligible institution is one that:

Is eligible to participate in the Federal Pell Grant Program.
Is a community or technical college, an adult technical preparatory education program or training, a state college or university, a regionally accredited independent college or university, or any approved distance education, including world wide web based courses. Approved distance education classes must be authorized by an eligible institution with course credits transferred back to that institution.
SELECTION: Recipients will be selected each year by the respective institutions of higher education based on the applicants’ eligibility and the availability of funds.

APPLICATION: Applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They should indicate the institution they plan to attend and meet deadlines designated by that institution. Applicants should also submit any supplemental materials that may be required by individual institutions.

RENEWALS: HEAPS grants are eligible for renewal consideration until the program of study is completed but not to exceed an additional nine years beyond the first year of the award.

AMOUNT OF AWARD: For students enrolled at a public college or university, the maximum grant is based on the actual per credit hour tuition and fees charges. For students enrolled in other eligible institutions, the award is based upon the average per credit hour tuition and fees charged by all of the public undergraduate institutions of higher education during the previous year. Total aid, including the HEAPS award, may not exceed the recipients total cost of education as defined by the institution being attended.

ELIGIBILITY Criteria for HEAPS Grant Workforce Development Component:
Applicants must complete and submit the HEAPS Grant Program Workforce Development Component student application to the institution of choice
Applicants are not required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Is a West Virginia resident a minimum of 12 consecutive months and a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the U. S.;
Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in postsecondary certificate, industry recognized credential and other skill development programs of study that is approved for the Workforce Development Grant.
Is making satisfactory progress at the time of application. Satisfactory progress for a first time award means being accepted for enrollment by the institution the applicant plans to attend. Thereafter, a student must maintain satisfactory progress at the institution
Demonstrates financial need as determined by the participating institutions;
Has complied with the Military Selective Service Act;
Is not in default on a higher education loan;
Is not incarcerated in a correctional facility;

Questions regarding this program may be addressed to the Financial Aid Office of the institution you plan to attend or by contacting:

Melissa Samples
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard E, Fifth Floor
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
(304) 558-4618