WV Higher Education Grant Program - West Virginia Student Loans

WV Higher Education Grant Program

Deadline for applying for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant for the 2009-20010 academic year is March 1, 2009! Both the Free Application for Financial Student Aid and Application for State-Level Financial Aid Programs must be completed to be eligible for consideration. The application for state-aid is required for all high school seniors. Other applicants less than 5 years removed from high school who have not earned college credits are also required to complete the application.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Monetary awards are granted to qualified university or college undergraduate students who require financial assistance to attend an approved university or college located in West Virginia or Pennsylvania . Grants may be renewed as long as the recipient continues to meet all eligibility requirements or completes baccalaureate degree requirements. However, grants cannot exceed 3 additional years beyond the initial award.

FUNDING LEVEL, NUMBER OF 2007-2008 RECIPIENTS AND VALUE OF AWARDS:
Awards ranged from a minimum of $1,300 to a maximum of $3,000. Funding of $34.6 million for 2008-2009 enabled approximately 13,000 students to be assisted.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be United States citizens, West Virginia residents (applicants and parents) for twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date of application (March 1, 2009), high school graduate or the equivalent, demonstrate financial need as determined by the grant program policies, enroll as a full-time undergraduate at an approved university or college located in West Virginia or Pennsylvania.

AWARD CRITERIA:
Awards are granted to those applicants who:

Demonstrate financial need as defined above and
Meet the academic performance standards established by grant program policies
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

File the FAFSA. FAFSA forms received by the processor on or before March 1, 2009 are given priority consideration.
Complete the Application for State-Level Financial Aid Programs on or before March 1, 2009 if applicable. Please see general description section above for more information.
AWARD NOTIFICATION AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS:

Notification of awards occurs in April/May.
Grant Program funds are sent directly to institutions each enrollment period.
OTHER AID SOURCES:
Applicants should apply for other federal grant aid such as Federal Pell Grants and any available college administered grant funds. Students should contact the financial aid office at the institution to be attended for further information and guidance.

Students should also explore private sources of grants and scholarships. Scholarship information can be accessed via the Internet at www.fastweb.com.

Specific information on the Grant Program may be obtained by calling (304) 558-4614 or 1-888-825-5707 or by writing to:

Judy Kee
West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Blvd. East, Suite 700
Charleston WV 25301