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High schoolers experience immersive college experience at GEAR UP summer academy
Nearly 115 rising 10th and 11th grade students from across West Virginia spent four days living and learning on the campus of Marshall University as part of the 2025 GEAR UP summer academy. The academy, sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s federally funded Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative, provided students with a fully immersive college experience. Participants lived in campus residence halls, attended engaging academic sessions led by Marshall University professors, and took part in leadership development activities designed to strengthen their readiness for college and careers. “This program gives students a…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia among top states for FAFSA completion
As the Class of 2025 prepares for graduation, West Virginia is earning national praise from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) for its commitment to increasing college access and affordability through coordinated, cross-sector partnerships. The state now ranks 15th in the nation for FAFSA completion — up from 19th last year and reaching as high as 10th during the current cycle — thanks to innovative, student-focused efforts led by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission in partnership with schools across the state. Unlike many top-performing states, West Virginia has achieved this success without a statewide FAFSA mandate. Instead, the state has built a culture of completion…
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State selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
Incoming college freshmen will receive $40,000 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Twenty-four high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia’s sixth cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers. The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for high school seniors and recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement,…
Continue ReadingOpen Learning WV helps students save $9.6 million on course materials, expands to all public colleges and universities
Since its launch in 2021, Open Learning WV has helped West Virginia college students save an estimated $9.6 million on course materials by promoting the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), which are low- or no-cost instructional materials that replace traditional, costly textbooks. This state-led initiative, spearheaded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, continues to drive affordability, accessibility, and innovation across the state’s higher education system. With a return on investment of $18 for every $1 in grant funding, Open Learning WV is proving to be a powerful tool in the effort to lower college costs. The initiative has now achieved full participation…
Continue ReadingPhilip Barbour High School named 2024 School of Excellence by ACT’s American College Application Campaign
Philippi high school is one of 26 U.S. schools recognized for outstanding effort in helping students apply for college PHILIPPI, WEST VIRGINIA — ACT’s American College Application Campaign (ACAC) named Philip Barbour High School as a 2024 School of Excellence as part of the College for West Virginia (CFWV) effort to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from under-resourced communities pursuing a college degree or other higher education credential. Philip Barbour High School is one of 26 outstanding schools being recognized nationwide. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to helping students pursue a postsecondary degree or…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia higher education community convenes for next phase of Credential WV
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recently convened dozens of faculty and other leaders from colleges and universities for a second statewide summit focused on implementing microcredentials, which are short, targeted learning experiences focused on specific skills designed to be more flexible and accessible than traditional degrees. This initiative, known as Credential WV, aims to equip students with workforce-relevant skills through targeted, stackable credentials, designed to address the evolving demands of West Virginia’s labor market. At the workshop, higher education leaders developed key strategies for embedding microcredential programs into existing academic courses, creating opportunities for students to build industry-recognized skills…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia seeking nominations for inaugural Higher Education Action and Impact Awards
New awards recognize outstanding contributions to postsecondary access and student success across the state Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is currently seeking nominations for the inaugural Higher Education Action and Impact Awards, a prestigious new recognition program honoring individuals and organizations that have made a meaningful difference in expanding college and career readiness in West Virginia. “We are proud to launch the Higher Education Action and Impact Awards to recognize the outstanding work happening in higher education access across West Virginia,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “These awards will spotlight the…
Continue ReadingDeadlines approaching for Promise Scholarship, West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System remind students that the deadlines to apply for the merit-based financial aid program Promise Scholarship and the need-based West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) for the 2025-2026 academic year are quickly approaching. High school seniors may apply for the $5,500 annual Promise award until March 1; and the $3,400 Higher Education Grant annual award until April 15. “The Promise Scholarship and Higher Education Grant open doors of opportunity for West Virginia’s students,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “I encourage this year’s high school seniors to…
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West Virginia sees 11.5 percent growth in dual enrollment through public universities thanks to LevelUpWV
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced a significant 11.5 percent increase in high school dual enrollment through four-year institutions. This growth comes as the state’s new dual enrollment initiative, LevelUpWV, continues to expand access to higher education for high school students. LevelUpWV, a groundbreaking state-funded dual enrollment program launched in 2023, allows high school students to take college courses for free. The four-year pilot program is designed to provide students with early exposure to college coursework and align their education with high-demand career pathways in West Virginia, such as healthcare, information technology, and engineering.…
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Deadline approaching for high school seniors interested in becoming WV teachers to apply for $40,000 award
December 12, 2024 CHARLESTON, WV – Current high school seniors have until Dec. 31, 2024 to apply for the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program. Since its inception in 2019, the prestigious scholarship has fueled more than 100 students to pursue a teaching career in West Virginia. The scholarship, which is West Virginia’s largest-dollar financial aid award, provides up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for 25 new scholars each year. “Teaching is one of the most important and rewarding careers a student can choose to pursue. Our Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars represent West Virginia’s most promising future teachers, and…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission reports $7.75 Million in student textbook savings through Open Educational Resources initiative
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Since the launch of Open Learning WV in 2021, West Virginia’s college students have saved an estimated $7.75 million on course materials, thanks to the implementation of Open Educational Resources (OER). This state-led initiative provides low- or no-cost educational materials to students in colleges and universities across West Virginia, making higher education more affordable and accessible. To date, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has awarded 66 grants to faculty members across the state to adopt and implement OER in their courses. The result is an impressive return on investment, with every $1 in grant funding…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia higher education community convenes to launch Credential WV as a new statewide initiative to prepare workforce-ready students
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recently convened dozens of faculty and other leaders from colleges and universities across the state to chart the course for implementing microcredentials, which are short, targeted learning experiences focused on specific skills designed to be more flexible and accessible than traditional degrees. This new initiative, known as Credential WV, aims to equip students with workforce-relevant skills through targeted, stackable credentials, designed to address the evolving demands of West Virginia’s labor market. At the Oct. 9-11 summit, higher education leaders developed key strategies for embedding microcredential programs into existing academic courses,…
Continue ReadingForty high schools across West Virginia recognized for outstanding efforts to help students plan for college
ROANOKE, W.Va. – Principals, counselors, and staff from 40 high schools across West Virginia were recognized on Friday, October 11th, for their efforts to inform students of higher education opportunities after graduation. The “Champion of College Access and Success” recognition awards are annually presented by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical Education to select schools that foster a college and career readiness culture within their communities. Representatives from the Champion schools attended an award ceremony at Stonewall Resort in conjunction with a statewide summit focused on affordable college and career pathways. The…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia GEAR UP Student Leadership Academy inspires 1,500 students from across the state
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia GEAR UP program, which helps thousands of West Virginia students plan for their futures, today hosted its annual Student Leadership Academy at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston. This year’s event brought together nearly 1,500 enthusiastic West Virginia GEAR UP students from across the state to learn valuable leadership skills and stay motivated to pursue their dreams through higher education. As part of the event this year, students were treated to an inspiring keynote address by motivational speaker, Aric Bostic, who has presented educational leadership programs to students across the…
Continue ReadingAward-winning podcast highlighting West Virginians in healthcare launches third season tomorrow
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission announced today that the third season of Appalachian Care Chronicles– a podcast featuring first-person accounts from healthcare professionals across West Virginia – launches with four new episodes on September 25, 2024. The new episodes, all available tomorrow, feature: “Our goal is to share these stories with anyone who has ever considered a career in healthcare, including young people who are thinking about who they might like to be in the future and those considering a new path,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “By spotlighting…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia awards grants to colleges and universities to support first-generation student success
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System have awarded First-Generation Student Success Grants to public colleges and universities across the state. These grants, which provide funding up to $5,000, support initiatives aimed at recruiting, retaining, and fostering the success of first-generation college students. First-generation students – the first in their families to pursue higher education – face unique challenges in completing their degrees. But according to FirstGen Forward, those who complete their college education are more likely to secure employment, earn higher wages, and become more civically engaged than their peers…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission announces Campus Mental Health Grants on World Suicide Prevention Day
CHARLESTON, WV – In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission announces the recipients of its 2024-25 Campus Mental Health Grants, which aim to address the mental health needs of students at West Virginia’s public colleges and universities. “Supporting the mental health and well-being of our students is critical to ensuring their academic success and overall development,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “These grants are an important step in addressing the unique mental health challenges that many of our students face. We are proud to support these innovative…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission awards grants to advance behavioral health education and workforce development
Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is proud to announce a series of grant awards aimed at strengthening the behavioral health workforce across the state. These grants fund a variety of innovative educational initiatives designed to address the critical need for well-trained professionals in behavioral health services, particularly in underserved and rural areas of West Virginia. Funding for these projects totaling $700,000 was made possible by a Congressionally Directed Spending award requested by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito through the U.S. Department of Labor. “I am incredibly grateful to Senators Manchin and…
Continue ReadingState selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
Incoming college freshmen will receive $40,000 Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award CHARLESTON, WV – Twenty-four high school seniors who graduated this year have been selected as West Virginia’s fifth cohort of Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars. These students will receive the state’s newest and most prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 per year – or $40,000 total – for their college education as they prepare to pursue rewarding careers as West Virginia teachers. “I’m incredibly proud of these young scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish over the next four years and beyond,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s…
Continue ReadingGEAR UP U! takes place at Glenville State University
Glenville, W. Va. – More than 150 rising 9th and 10th graders across the state gathered at Glenville State University’s campus from June 26 – 29 for the 2024 GEAR UP U! Summer Academy (GUU!). GUU! is a free college and career preparatory academy hosted by West Virginia GEAR UP and is free for all participants. GUU! is sponsored by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s federally funded “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” (GEAR UP) initiative. During GUU!, students were exposed to life on a college campus. They participated in classes based on career interests, attended…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia doubles Higher Education Grant award to $6,800 for college students for upcoming academic year
CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today voted to strengthen the state’s needs-based Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), allowing the maximum award amount to double – from $3,400 to $6,800 – for the 2024-25 academic year for eligible students. This one-time increase was made possible by funding proposed by Gov. Jim Justice and approved by the West Virginia Legislature during a recent special session to support students amid ongoing challenges with the federal government’s rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the key to unlocking funds for college. As a…
Continue ReadingStudent leaders from colleges and universities statewide gather for the Student Leadership Conference
DAVIS, WV – Student government representatives and advisors from two- and four-year public colleges and universities across West Virginia gathered at Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center for the 18th annual West Virginia Student Leadership Conference (WVSLC). The WVSLC serves as a training event for student government representatives, many of whom are newly elected to their roles. During the conference, students learned leadership skills, networked with other student body leaders and higher education administrators, and shared ideas for engaging their campus communities. The event provides workshops on a variety of leadership topics. Student leaders collaborated to find solutions to issues…
Continue ReadingGov. Justice declares State of Emergency, suspends FAFSA requirement for WV students applying for state financial aid programs for college this year
CHARLESTON, WV — Amid ongoing problems with the U.S. Department of Education’s rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students applying for financial aid for college this fall, Gov. Jim Justice announced today he has temporarily suspended the requirement for students to complete the FAFSA in order to qualify for the state’s largest financial aid programs. The FAFSA is the key to unlocking financial aid for college, as it determines a student’s financial need. The federal government unveiled a new FAFSA at the beginning of this year, but the move to the new form has…
Continue ReadingMental Health Loan Repayment Program accepting applications from licensed mental health professionals practicing in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is accepting applications for the Mental Health Loan Repayment Program, which provides loan repayment for licensed mental health professionals practicing in underserved communities in West Virginia. “Mental health providers across our state provide a truly invaluable service to West Virginians living in underserved areas. Statewide, we need as many committed counselors, social workers, and therapists as possible continuing to work in our communities” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Through this loan repayment program, we can ease a financial burden for them – and let them know…
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West Virginia higher education community convenes to focus on first-generation student success
Charleston, W.Va. –The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Council for Community and Technical College recently hosted the West Virginia First-Generation Student Success Conference at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, drawing representatives from colleges across the state. This event focused on advancing the academic success of first-generation college students. Participants focused on addressing first-generation students’ unique needs, which is paramount to ensuring their success in college and in their careers. Quistis Stanley, a student attending Marshall University, reflected on her experience as a first-generation student on campus, saying, “Being first-gen has helped me find a community within my school…
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