Latest News
Media Contact
Jessica Tice
304-558-0699
jessica.tice@wvhepc.edu
West Virginia’s Promise scholars will earn more money for college next year; deadline to apply is May 1
CHARLESTON, WV – In a special meeting today, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted to extend the deadline for current high school seniors to apply for the Promise Scholarship until May 1, 2023. The Commission also approved increasing the award amount for the 2023-24 academic year to $5,200, up from the previous amount of $5,000 annually. “Our high school seniors have been working so hard to stay on track for their futures, and we want to give them every opportunity to access the support they need to continue their education after they graduate,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker,…
Continue Reading
March 1 deadline approaching for West Virginia high school seniors to apply for the Promise Scholarship
CHARLESTON, WV – High school seniors in the class of 2023 planning to apply for West Virginia’s Promise Scholarship have until March 1 to complete both the Promise application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Through Promise, qualifying high school graduates receive annual awards of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at West Virginia colleges and universities. “We are encouraging West Virginia’s current high school seniors to fill out the FAFSA to see what kind of financial aid they’re eligible for, and to complete the Promise application as soon as possible,”…
Continue ReadingMillions in college grant dollars available if students file the FAFSA
State higher education office sets goal for 70 percent of high school seniors to complete financial aid applications CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is aiming for at least 70 percent of high school seniors to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15, 2020. Without completing this application, West Virginia’s students are potentially missing out on millions of dollars in available federal and state tuition assistance. To be eligible for all federal and most state financial aid programs, students must file the FAFSA. Those who file are considered for the…
Continue ReadingNews Release: College Foundation of West Virginia sets goal for statewide FAFSA completion
College Foundation of West Virginia sets goal for statewide FAFSA completion Statewide efforts will encourage at least 63 percent of high school seniors to file a FAFSA by April 15, 2019 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – High school students should plan now to complete college financial aid applications if they wish to become eligible for state and federal grants and student aid, like the PROMISE Scholarship and federal Pell Grant. Today, the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) announced a goal to have at least 63 percent of West Virginia high school seniors complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by April…
Continue Reading
MetroNews: New FAFSA goal set for West Virginia high school seniors
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — By April 15, those with the College Foundation of West Virginia want to see the number of 12th graders in the Mountain State completing the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, climb to 60 percent. “We know that the jobs of the state of West Virginia are changing,” said Dr. Paul Hill, chancellor for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, noting that 50 percent of the jobs being created within the state require some for of post-secondary education. “Because our state economy is being driven increasingly more by those who have attained post-secondary education,…
Continue Reading
College Foundation of West Virginia sets goal to increase FAFSA completion rates to 60 percent
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) today announced a goal to increase the number of 12th graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA,” to 60 percent by April 15. Students planning to attend college during the 2017-18 academic year can complete the FAFSA online now at www.fafsa.gov using their 2015 tax returns. April 15 is the deadline for students to submit the form and be considered for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program, which provides grants to students based on their financial need. This past year (as of November 18), 58.5%…
Continue ReadingGazette-Mail: Students can apply for PROMISE, other financial aid sooner
The application which determines a student’s eligibility for financial aid to go to college and several of the state’s scholarships will be available sooner this year. Instead of waiting until of Jan. 1, 2017, to start the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is a required application that determines a student’s eligibility for financial aid, students will be able to start the application on Oct. 1 this year. Applications for three West Virginia scholarships (the Promise Scholarship; the Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship; and the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship) also will become available at the beginning of October. “We’re hoping…
Continue Reading
For class of 2016, more than 3,500 students awarded PROMISE scholarship
West Virginia providing $92 million in college financial aid this academic year Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that more than 3,500 students who graduated from high school this year have been awarded PROMISE Scholarships, annual awards of up to $4,750 they can use beginning this fall toward tuition and fees at colleges and universities in West Virginia. Students are receiving award letters in their mailboxes this week. Additional PROMISE Scholarships may be awarded as eligible students are identified through June 2016 ACT and SAT testing scores. “Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia…
Continue ReadingMetroNews: W.Va. among top states with high FAFSA completions rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — More West Virginia students are completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid so far this year compared to last year, according to a recent announcement from the National College Access Network. West Virginia ranked 4th out of all 50 states for FAFSA completion, jumping from 10th place last year. As of this month, 52 percent of West Virginia high school seniors completed a FAFSA. “This really has been a collective effort and many folks around West Virginia have jumped in and wrapped their arms around this issue,” said Dr. Adam Green, vice chancellor of student affairs for…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – According to a recent announcement from the National College Access Network (NCAN), West Virginia is one of only four states to see gains in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates so far this year. And the state ranks fourth overall nationally in FAFSA completion — jumping up from 10th place last year. Thirty-seven high schools in West Virginia met or exceeded the state’s spring benchmark for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the FAFSA, the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college. In January, the College Foundation of West Virginia…
Continue ReadingMarch 1 deadline approaching for PROMISE Scholarship applications
Charleston, W.Va. – High school seniors in the class of 2016 planning to apply for West Virginia’s PROMISE Scholarship program have until March 1 to complete the required forms, the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission office reminded students and families today. Through PROMISE, qualifying high school graduates receive annual awards of up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at eligible West Virginia higher education institutions. “Since the PROMISE program started, more than $400 million has been provided to more than 35,000 West Virginia students from all 55 counties to attend a public or independent college…
Continue ReadingCollege Goal Sunday event offers free help with college financial aid forms
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,…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia sets goal to increase FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) today announced a goal to increase the number of 12th graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA” to 60 percent. Last year, 57 percent of high school seniors completed the FAFSA, which is the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college. As of January 29, eight percent of this year’s 12th graders have completed the form. A complete list of FAFSA completion rates by high school is available at www.cfwvconnect.com/financial-aid-outreach. According to a report from the White House, “The President’s Plan for Early Financial Aid,”…
Continue Reading
College Foundation of West Virginia recognizes high schools for meeting FAFSA completion goal
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) announced today that 32 high schools in West Virginia met or exceeded the State’s 2015 goal for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA.” In January, CFWV set a goal of ensuring that at least 60 percent of high school seniors complete the FAFSA, which is the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college, by September 1. “Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in pursuing higher education,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director for Financial Aid…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: Marking 50 years of the Higher Education Act
On November 8, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Higher Education Act, unparalleled federal legislation that strengthened investments in public colleges and universities and provided dedicated support to students pursuing higher education. On that day 50 years ago, he said, “This will swing open a new door for the young people of America…the most important door that will ever open – the door to education.” This was a touchstone moment for higher education in our country. It made postsecondary education a national priority and placed it within the reach of more lower- and middle-income Americans. And it avowed…
Continue ReadingCharleston Gazette editorial: A plan for college
From the Charleston Gazette-Mail Higher Education Chancellor Paul Hill shared some disturbing news in a meeting with Gazette-Mail editors last week: West Virginia has lost significant ground on the rate of high school graduates going on to college. As of five years ago, West Virginia had worked up to 61.5 percent of students going on to college after high school, close to the national average of 63 percent. Since then, that rate has dropped to about 55 percent, where it was 15 years ago. This is happening despite the continuing projections that most jobs in the future will require some…
Continue ReadingPROMISE Scholarship application opens Nov. 2
Charleston Gazette-Mail by Samuel Speciale Applications for West Virginia’s Promise Scholarship will be available starting Monday. The merit-based financial aid program, which covers up to $4,750 in tuition and fees, is awarded to eligible high school graduates. The application is available until March 1, the same day students must turn in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. While receiving the scholarship requires meeting academic benchmarks, one higher education official said eligibility should not keep a student from applying. “Basically, if you are a high school student in West Virginia, apply,” said Brian Weingart, director…
Continue ReadingCharleston Daily Mail editorial: College-going culture can help drive economy
From the Charleston Gazette-Mail. The statistics are well-known: West Virginia has the fewest adults with bachelor’s degrees, the fewest number of adults working and the highest student loan default rate in the country. Combating those statistics is hard, but something Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill works to do every day. Hill and other HEPC officials met with a combined Gazette-Mail editorial board Tuesday to talk about the challenges West Virginia faces when it comes to post-secondary education. Hill wants to create a “college-going culture” in West Virginia. Though that may sound difficult, there are some things working in West Virginia’s…
Continue ReadingMore than 3,200 PROMISE scholars eligible to begin college this fall in West Virginia
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that more than 3,200 students who graduated from high school this year have been awarded PROMISE Scholarships, annual awards of up to $4,750 they can use beginning this fall toward tuition and fees at colleges and universities in West Virginia. Additional PROMISE Scholarships will be awarded as eligible students are identified through June 2015 ACT and SAT testing scores. “Again this year, the PROMISE Scholarship is making college more accessible and affordable for thousands of West Virginia students,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Through this merit-based program,…
Continue ReadingGovernor Earl Ray Tomblin: Unlocking the door to a college education
High school seniors have the world at their fingertips – and a lot on their plates. Planning for the future can be overwhelming. Choosing what’s next after graduation is one of the biggest decisions they’ll face, but if that decision includes a college education then the first step is clear: Complete the FAFSA. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the key to accessing both federal and state financial aid programs. Here in West Virginia, our goal is to get 55 percent of high school seniors to complete a FAFSA by April 15. Currently, only 19 percent of seniors…
Continue ReadingDeadline approaching for PROMISE Scholarship applications
Charleston, W.Va. – High school seniors in the class of 2015 planning to apply for West Virginia’s PROMISE Scholarship program have until March 1 to complete the required forms, the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission office reminded students and families today. Through PROMISE, qualifying high school graduates receive annual awards of up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at eligible West Virginia higher education institutions. “Since the PROMISE program started, more than $400 million has been provided to more than 35,000 West Virginia students from all 55 counties to attend a public or independent college…
Continue ReadingW.Va. higher education office provides financial aid assistance to students and families
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With key state financial aid deadlines approaching, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is offering students and their families free assistance with application forms. Students seeking individual assistance can call the Commission’s financial aid hotline at 888-825-5707 to ask questions or set up an appointment with a financial aid counselor. “The FAFSA is the first and most important step for students,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “We encourage anyone thinking about going to college to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after the beginning of the year – and to fully explore…
Continue ReadingGovernor Earl Ray Tomblin: A promise that is paying off
Like so many West Virginians, Crystin Povenski and her siblings were raised by parents who instilled in them the importance of hard work and the value of learning. She worked hard and, as a result of her good grades in high school and commitment to attending college in the Mountain State, she received a PROMISE Scholarship. After earning her degree from West Virginia University (WVU), Crystin was determined to begin her career in the state she loves. She said it was important for her to exhaust all job search efforts in West Virginia before considering looking elsewhere. Crystin reached her…
Continue ReadingStudy says nearly half of college grads stay in Mountain State
Article: MetroNews MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A study from West Virginia University says college graduates in the Mountain State who received a Promise Scholarship are more likely to stay and work in West Virginia. The WVU College of Business and Economics did the study for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Researchers took at look at the college graduates from the past 10 years. (Read the WVU study here) The study estimates 48 percent of the graduates work here and those who received a Promise Scholarship are more likely to work in their home state… Read the full story »
Continue Reading
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin: Sending our kids off to college helps keep them here at home
Over the past few weeks, families across the state hugged their children goodbye and sent them off to college. For many, it was a bittersweet and emotional moment filled with both pride and sorrow, worry and relief. But we can all take heart. Because earning a college degree puts students on a path to fulfilling their dreams – and for many, that path leads back home. A recent study commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and conducted by researchers at the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research found that the majority of the Mountain State’s in-state…
Continue Reading