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Jessica Tice
304-558-0699
jessica.tice@wvhepc.edu

Over 450 West Virginia schools registered to participate in “College Application and Exploration Week”

November 1, 2019

“College Application and Exploration Week” helps students explore postsecondary options and careers CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “College Application and Exploration Week” will be celebrated statewide on November 4 – 8. Students, from pre-school to adult learners, will participate in hands-on college planning activities including college application workshops, panel discussions with current college students, college scavenger hunts, and trivia contests. They will also learn about different types of college options available such as certificate programs, career and technical programs, two-year degree programs, four-year degree programs, and military experience. “The path our students take after high school is one of the most important…

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News Release: Thousands of West Virginia students to explore college, career options for life after high school during statewide “College Application and Exploration Week”

November 5, 2018

Thousands of West Virginia students to explore college, career options for life after high school during statewide “College Application and Exploration Week” CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is helping more than 100,000 students from 420 schools across the state learn about education after they graduate from high school during College Application and Exploration Week, Nov. 5-9. Today kicks off the annual College Application and Exploration Week celebration, which is coordinated by the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV), a partnership of the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Community and Technical College System (CTCS) and the West Virginia Department of Education.…

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West Virginia Center for Nursing awards $422,000 in scholarships to help nursing students earn a degree

August 25, 2017

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Center for Nursing announced today that 224 students will receive funds totaling $422,000 as part of the Nursing Scholarship Program. The program, which is administered by the West Virginia Center for Nursing in conjunction with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC), helps licensed practical, registered, master’s and doctoral nursing students pursue their degrees. “The Center for Nursing plays a crucial role in helping address our state’s need for healthcare providers,” Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the HEPC, said. “This scholarship is an example of our efforts to directly align our higher education…

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State higher ed official nationally recognized for service to student veterans

August 22, 2017

Higher Education Policy Commission staff member’s work ‘protects veterans’ education benefits’ CHARLESTON, W.Va. –  The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s director of veterans’ programs has received the National Association of State Approving Agencies’ (NASAA’s) highest recognition for his efforts to promote veterans’ education opportunities. L.G. Corder, Esq., Director of Veterans Education and Training Programs at the Policy Commission (HEPC), was recently presented the “President’s Award,” the top honor from NASAA, an organization dedicated to providing and safeguarding quality education and training programs for veterans. NASAA members work with government agencies, Congress, schools and employers to assure that veterans have…

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Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, congratulates students, faculty and staff on the ten-year success of the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center.

Erma Byrd Center celebrates tenth anniversary

August 4, 2017

Collaboration among colleges and universities expands access to higher education for students in Southern West Virginia BEAVER, W.Va. – State officials, students, faculty and community members gathered at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center on Friday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the facility’s opening. The Erma Byrd Center, which was West Virginia’s first collaborative higher education campus, offers classes and student services from Bluefield State College, Concord University and Marshall University. During Friday’s celebration, a variety of state and college officials offered congratulations and celebratory remarks, including Dr. Dave Swanson, chair of the Higher Education Foundation; Dr. Paul L.…

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Smart Student Loan Borrowing

State higher ed officials offer guidance on student loan borrowing

July 5, 2017

Eight tips for financing higher education CHARLESTON, W.Va. – As students and families across the state are planning their budgets for the fall semester of college, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today issued guidance on making smart choices when it comes to student loan borrowing. “Choosing to pursue education and training beyond high school is undoubtedly a sound investment,” Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor at the Commission, said. “But just like with any other financial decision, it’s imperative that students make informed choices in deciding the type and amount of loans…

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May 1 deadline approaching for West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program applications

April 24, 2017

Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today reminded students that May 1 is the deadline to apply for the Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), the state’s need-based financial aid program. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the only application required to be considered for the grant, can be completed at https://fafsa.ed.gov. “We always encourage students to complete the FAFSA to see if they are eligible for this grant program, which helps cover the cost of tuition and fees at two- and four-year colleges and…

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State extends application deadline for Higher Education Grant Program until May 1

April 3, 2017

CHARLESTON, W.VA. — West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today announced that this year’s application deadline for the need-based Higher Education Grant Program has been extended until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 1, 2017. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the only application required for the grant, can be completed at https://fafsa.ed.gov.   The state extended the deadline because of a technology issue at the federal level. Last month, the U.S. Department of Education and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an outage of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which allows…

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W.Va. sees gains in college freshmen enrollment

November 18, 2016

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The number of students entering a four-year college is on the rise in West Virginia, according to information reported during a meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission held earlier today. State officials said the number of freshmen on West Virginia’s public four-year college campuses increased by 3.7 percent from last year.  “These increases are reflective of the strong emphasis the Commission and its partners have placed on college access and success,” Paul Hill, Chancellor of the Commission said. “West Virginia needs more college graduates to meet workforce demands and grow our economy. I…

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Governor Tomblin: College Application and Exploration Week: West Virginians explore postsecondary options

November 4, 2016

(November 4, 2016) – Today marks the close of West Virginia’s seventh annual “College Application and Exploration Week,” a statewide initiative to help our students evaluate their options to pursue higher education. Students at nearly 450 schools across the state, from preschools to adult learning centers, participated in events that allowed them to begin thinking about and preparing for college. Throughout this week, students worked to discover the type of college best suited for them. Whether a student chooses a community and technical college, a university, a trade school, or military service, what’s most important is that they strive to achieve…

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Register-Herald: Job fair to be held Friday in Beaver

October 27, 2016

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is teaming up with big names in West Virginia education to bring a job and resource fair to Raleigh County on Friday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 28 at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center, which is at 300 University Drive in Beaver. The Erma Byrd Center houses courses from colleges and universities from all over Southern West Virginia. Free classes will be offered, including “How to Market Yourself with a Regents of Bachelor’s Arts Degree” at 11:30 a.m. At noon, attendees will learn to “Create an Online Presence with…

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WVROCKS expands online degree opportunities for adult students with new grant

March 7, 2016

Charleston, W.Va. – Armed with a new $500,000 grant, the West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System (WVROCKS) is expanding opportunities for adult students in the state to earn Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degrees online. The grant, which was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service program, is funding video equipment that will allow WVROCKS to offer classes online that include synchronous learning beginning in fall 2016. “This grant is another opportunity for us to expand WVROCKS, which offers nontraditional students an unencumbered path toward their degrees,” said Dr. Roxann Humbert, who oversees the portal. “We…

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College Goal Sunday event offers free help with college financial aid forms

February 15, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia students can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other college financial aid forms during the state’s annual College Goal Sunday event. College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops will be held February 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 25 locations. “Completing the FAFSA is a critical step for anyone considering going to college,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, said. “Students must submit this form in order to be considered for a variety of financial aid programs including state and federal grants,…

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College Foundation of West Virginia providing college planning help through text messages

January 20, 2016

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students heading to college this fall can receive deadline reminders and get help completing college-related tasks — all through text messaging.  The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) is offering the service to any West Virginia student considering entering a two-year college, four-year college or career and technical program in the fall of 2016. Participating students will receive a few text messages per month reminding them of upcoming deadlines and providing information about important college-planing tasks such as applying for financial aid, registering for orientation and purchasing text books. Additionally, students can text back anytime they have…

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W.Va. colleges and universities commit to increased support for student veterans

November 4, 2015

All public undergraduate institutions accept ‘5 Star Challenge’ CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s public two-year and four-year colleges and universities are pledging increased support for student veterans during events to be held this week through the State’s ‘5 Star Challenge’ initiative, which launched earlier this fall. The Challenge, which calls on institutions to adopt a set of exemplary standards for supporting student veterans, is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing “challenge coins” to service members who embody the values and standards of their military units. College and university presidents from across West Virginia will participate in ceremonies pledging…

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Statewide ‘College Day Tour’ kicks off September 1

September 1, 2015

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives from West Virginia’s colleges and universities will hit the road today as part of West Virginia’s annual “College Day Tour.” During the tour, college admissions and planning counselors, along with military service representatives, will set up displays and host informational workshops in every region of the state. The West Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (WVACRAO) organizes the event and works to ensure that West Virginia’s high school students have an opportunity to get college planning information close to home. Additionally, representatives from the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) attend every event to…

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“5 Star Challenge” emphasizes colleges’ and universities’ commitments to student veterans

August 24, 2015

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Education officials are stepping up their efforts to support the needs of West Virginia’s student veterans. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) today announced the “5 Star Challenge,” a call to action for the state’s public colleges and universities to adopt a set of exemplary standards that support student veterans and their families. The challenge is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing “challenge coins” to service members who exemplify the values and standards of their military units. Colleges and universities that accept the challenge…

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Nearly $500,000 grant set to expand opportunities for adult learners across West Virginia

December 2, 2014

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program is positioned to expand online learning opportunities for adults in West Virginia seeking to complete a Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree. Through the $499,991 grant, which was awarded to the West Virginia Network (WVNET), students will be able to participate in live video classes from the convenience of their laptop or tablet using a web conferencing system. “We have placed an increased emphasis in West Virginia on helping adult learners complete postsecondary education,” said Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia…

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WVROCKS assists Fairmont State students in completing RBA degrees

March 18, 2014

Through the WVROCKS initiative launched by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, adult students at Fairmont State University have found greater success in completing a four-year degree. WVROCKS is an acronym for West Virginia’s Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System, which offers Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) courses online from different institutions throughout the state. The mission of WVROCKS is to provide a high quality, student-focused, engaging, eLearning higher education collaborative. “The Regents Bachelor of Arts degree is a flexible program that provides adult learners the opportunity to turn life experience into course credit, if that experience is generally equivalent…

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Chancellor Hill: Hitting “restart” for those who have stopped out

August 30, 2013

For so many people who have some college credits but are no longer enrolled, the desire to walk across the stage to a degree is strong, but the prospect of returning to school is daunting. There are hosts of roadblocks, from finances to a lack of extra time and family commitments, so it’s our job at the public higher education level to even out the road for returning students. In West Virginia, we have placed an increased emphasis on helping adult learners complete their postsecondary education. And the good news is that our efforts are paying off. We are graduating…

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