According to Reuters (2018), 74% of parents would send their children to less expensive colleges to avoid going into debt. Makes it sound like money is a big deal, right?
You and your parent both will need your own email address. Consider making yours a combination of your name and meaningful numbers. If you have one that you will be embarrassed for college admissions to see, now is the time to change it.
You will also need cell service and to know your social security number. Have ALL of that ready to create your FSA ID. It is what will get you into and through the FAFSA.
Grants
Money you DO NOT have to pay back!
In West Virginia, our big ones are:
- Federal Pell Grant (up to $6195/yr)
- WV Higher Education Grant (up to $2800/yr)
- WV Invests Grant (last dollar in, full tuition to CTC)
You do not have to pay back scholarships.
A big one in WV is the PROMISE Scholarship. Find out the qualifications in this video.
There are thousands of scholarships. Some are merit (talent/academic) based, and some are need based. There are a few sites that can help you on your search. I wish they'd had these back when I was first applying!
- Fastweb.com
- Tallo.com
- scholarshipowl.com
- bigfuture.collegeboard.org
You have nothing to lose by filling out as many scholarships as you can!
A work study is need-based. It provides a job for you on campus that pays at least minimum wage. This will help with college costs. It's also a way to meet new people.
Federal Student Loans have a fixed interest rate (APR) & are given by the Department of Education. This means extra charges cannot go up.
Private Loans can have a variable APR. This means extra charges can go up and down constantly. You will also need a co-signer (usually your guardian). These are given by banks and financial institutions.
- Subsidized loans - The government pays your interest! Thanks, Uncle Sam.
- Unsubsidized loans - You pay the interest.
- Loans do not have to be paid while you have a full college schedule of classes. This is called 'deferment.'
The WV Higher Education Grant Program is a need-based financial aid program for WV students. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need (as determined by the information students provide on the FAFSA).
Program requirements: Students must:
- Be a citizen of the United States;
- Be a WV resident for at least 12 months prior to applying; 9 Have a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof;
- Complete the FAFSA and demonstrate a certain level of financial need;
- Demonstrate academic promise;
- Enroll as a full-time undergraduate student at a participating institution;
- Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree. To apply: You must complete and submit the FAFSA by April 15, 2020.
Award amount: The award amount varies each year. Maximum annual awards for the 2019-20 academic year were $2,800. Eligible Institutions: The award can be used at participating institutions within WV and PA. For a complete list of participating institutions, visit cfwv.com.
The WV PROMISE Scholarship Program is a merit-based financial aid program available to WV residents who meet certain academic standards.
Program requirements: Students must:
- Have both a core and cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher*
- Meet the minimum test score requirements on either the ACT or the SAT.
* Must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or whatever is considered a “B” average, based on county grading policies in both the core courses and overall coursework (weighted grades may cfwv.com/promisebe used). The core GPA includes all core courses, but does not include electives. For a complete list of courses, visit .
Award amount: Eligible applicants will receive annual awards up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at eligible institutions in WV.
To apply: Beginning October 1, 2019, go to cfwv.com/promise and create a WV Student Aid Management (WVSAM) account. Log in to your WVSAM account and submit the PROMISE application before March 1. You must also submit the FAFSA by March 1. For additional information, visit cfwv.com/promise.
Renewal requirements: Recipients must achieve the credit hour and overall grade point average requirements each academic year to maintain eligibility. For more information on renewal, visit cfwv. com/promise and click the renewal requirements tab.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and interest in the science, engineering, and technology fields. Priority is given to WV residents.
Program requirements: Students must:
- Be a United States citizen or resident alien;
- Complete the application available at cfwv.com by March 1, 2020;
- Agree to work full-time in an engineering, science, or technology field in WV for one year for each year the scholarship was received.*
To apply: Submit an application by March 1, 2020. The application will be available on Oct. 1, 2019 at cfwv.com.
Award amount: Not to exceed $3,000 per academic year.
* Students who fail to meet the work requirements are required to repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees.
The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program was created to enable and encourage students to pursue teaching careers at the preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school level. Undergraduate scholarships are awarded based on academic qualifications and interest in teaching in critical shortage fields.
Program requirements: Students must:
- Complete the application available at cfwv.com by March 1, 2020;
- Agree to teach at a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school in WV for five years.*
To apply: Submit an application by March 1, 2020. The application will be available on Oct. 1, 2019 at cfwv.com.
Award amount: Not to exceed $10,000 per academic year.
* Students who fail to meet the teaching service requirements are required to repay the scholarship received plus interest and required collection fees. For a complete list of service requirements, visit cfwv.com.
The West Virginia Invests Grant is a “last-dollar-in” financial aid program designed to cover tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other scholarships and grants for eligible academic programs at participating public colleges.
Program requirements: Students must reside in West Virginia for 2 years after no longer being enrolled at least half-time. Visit wvinvests.org to learn more.
Eligibility: Students who are WV residents and who do not have a college degree and seeking an eligible certificate or associate degree can apply. Students must pass a drug screen within sixty days prior to each term and complete 2 hours of community service each term funds are received. Students are responsible for the cost of the drug screen. Visit wvinvests.org to learn more. Award amount: Vary depending on the remaining tuition and fees not covered by other scholarships and grants.
To apply: Submit an application at www.wvinvests.org and a FAFSA by the April 15 priority deadline.
* Students who fail to meet the residency requirement are required to repay the grant received plus interest and required collection fees.
Individuals who are contracted by a public school in West Virginia to teach full-time are eligible to receive up to a $3,000 reimbursement toward student loans in exchange for teaching two years in either a cricial shortge field or as a school counselor in WV. To learn more, visit cfwv.com.
The Medical Student Loan Program enables medical students with financial need to apply for loans to pursue a degree of Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Loans may be forgiven if students meet certain work requirements after graduation. Program requirements: Students must:
- Be accepted for enrollment or be enrolled full-time at an eligible WV school of medicine. Priority is given to residents of WV;
- Loan indebtedness (principal and accumulated interest) may be forgiven at the rate of up to $10,000 for each 12 consecutive months of full-time practice in WV in a qualifying medically underserved areas or specialty.
To apply: Contact your institution’s financial aid office. Eligible institutions: Marshall University School of Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia University School of Medicine.
Award amount: Not to exceed $10,000 per academic year.*
* The first payment is due one year following the date the borrower ceases to be a full-time student. Students are not required to make payments during periods of authorized deferments, such as required military service or approved additional medical training, including internships, residencies, and fellowships for a period not to exceed five years.
The Health Sciences Service Program is a loan repayment program for health professions students interested in practicing in underserved communities in West Virginia.
Program requirements: Students must fulfill certain education and licensing requirements. Visit cfwv.com to learn more. Eligibility: Students in their final year of a graduate program in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing (midwives, nurse practitioners, nurse educators), physician assisting, physical therapy, social work, public health , occupational therapy, or clinical psychology in West Virginia can apply. Service obligation: All recipients must agree to practice at least two years full-time or four years part-time in an underserved area of West Virginia immediately following completion of training. Visit cfwv.com to learn more.
Award amount: $15,000 - $30,000, depending on the program of study.
The Nursing Scholarship Program is a recruitment incentive program to assist nurses in paying for their education.
Program requirements: Students must fulfill certain education and licensing requirements. Visit cfwv.com to learn more. Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in an accredited West Virginia nursing or education program (licensed practical, registered, masters and doctoral nursing students) can apply. Service obligation: All recipients must agree to fulfill a service obligation to work in West Virginia following graduation. Service requirements vary by program of study and number of years awarded. Visit cfwv.com to learn more.
Award amount: Award amounts vary each year.
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts are based on your family’s financial situation and your enrollment status. Students must:
• Complete and submit the FAFSA; 9 Demonstrate financial need.
To apply: The 2020-2021 FAFSA will be available at fafsa.gov on
Oct. 1, 2019. For a complete list of requirements, visit studentaid.gov. Award amount: $650 to $6,195 for the 2020-21 academic year. HIGHER EDUCATION ADULT PART-TIME STUDENT GRANT (HEAPS)
The HEAPS grant has two separate components referred to as HEAPS Part-Time and HEAPS Workforce Development. Program requirements: Students must:
• Be a WV resident for at least 12 months prior to applying;
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
• Submit the FAFSA;
• Demonstrate financial need;
• Not be in default on higher education loans;
• Not be incarcerated in a correctional facility;
• Comply with the Military Selective Service Act;
• Have a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof;
• Be enrolled part-time pursuing a certificate or two-year or four-year degree for the part time component;
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an industry credential, postsecondary certificate, or other skill development program at an eligible institution for the workforce component.
The WV Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant (HEAPS) enables students who demonstrate a financial need to pursue postsecondary education on a part-time basis.
The 2020-2021 FAFSA will be available on Oct. 1, 2019.
To apply: Submit a FAFSA and contact the institution you plan to attend for further requirements. The 2020-2021 FAFSA will be available on Oct. 1, 2019.
Eligible institutions: WV’s career and technical education facilities, community colleges, public colleges and independent colleges.
Award amount: The award amount varies, depending on the program of study and the student’s financial need.
The WV Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Program Workforce Development Component is awarded to students who demonstrate a financial need and enroll in a postsecondary certificate, industry-recognized credential, or other skill development program in demand in WV.
To apply: Submit the HEAPS Workforce Development Application, available through each institution’s financial aid office, and complete a current FAFSA. Applications are available starting July 1st. Funding is limited and awards are made on a first-come, firstserved basis.
Award amount: The cost of the program, not to exceed $2,000, for a single academic year for all programs. Renewal: This grant is specifically for short term programs. Students cannot be awarded the grant for the same course more than once.
Eligible institutions: Participating career and technical education facilities, community colleges, and proprietary institutions in WV. To see if an institution participates in the HEAPS Workforce Component, contact the institution’s financial aid office.
You and your guardian can get individualized help.
You might even get some snacks or swag!
Whenever you have questions, you can visit the CFWV Website.
https://secure.cfwv.com/Home/_default.aspx