Higher Education Champion
What does it take to be a Higher Education Champion?
Participation in Txt-4-Success
High School seniors and freshmen on college campuses across West Virginia receive college counseling via text message from a team of college access advisors who work for CFWV and partnering higher education institutions. Texts serve as general college reminders and advice, such as crucial deadlines and regular check-ins to ensure students transition well to college life. Students attending a partnering institution will also receive campus-specific messages. Additionally, students who opt-in to the service can text anytime to have questions answered by a college access advisor from CFWV or the college.
Colleges that opt to become partnering institutions will undergo a one-hour virtual training to learn how to craft their texting schedule, answer texts, and utilize the texting system. Individuals at WVHEPC and Modern Campus provide support throughout the partnership.
Partnering institutions most often have three individuals who help with the texting program. These individuals help to coordinate the initiative on the campus level, create the texting schedule, and log in daily to answer student questions and texts via the platform. We ask that one individual from this three-person team complete the following form. If you are an existing partner, please complete the form to update your information. https://forms.office.com/r/vRNqjtySEp
College Application and Exploration Week
Waive college application fees during College Application and Exploration Week
West Virginia has participated in the American College Application Campaign’s College Application and Exploration Week initiative since 2010. During that period, West Virginia increased senior students’ application numbers and brought more career and college readiness and exploration possibilities to middle school and elementary school-aged students in the mountain state. College Application & Exploration Week allows the entire school community to discuss college opt ions and promote a college-going culture. Students attending all grades, from pre-K to adult education centers, participate in this initiative to learn about colleges and careers. Hundreds of schools statewide participate each year, and thousands of applications have been submitted this week. This campaign typically occurs in early fall.
In recent years, college partners have become even more important to the College Application and Exploration Week. Many higher education institutions provide tours, send representatives to schools, mail campus literature and swag, and promote their institutions via social media channels. Waiving application fees will help remove obstacles for many students. Colleges and universities will complete a survey to identify whether they are waiving application fees for the week of CAEW. Those schools will be listed on the CAEW website.
College Application and Exploration Week: Fall of 2025
Registration:
WV FAFSA DAY
Register and host a site for the statewide FAFSA Day event
West Virginia FAFSA Day is a collaborative event spearheaded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, College for West Virginia (CFWV), West Virginia GEAR UP, and the West Virginia TRIO Association. This initiative aims to heighten awareness surrounding the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), underscoring its significance for high school seniors and returning collegiate students. WV FAFSA Day significantly emphasizes federal, state, and collegiate financial aid programs.
Officially register (registration to come) and host an on-campus FAFSA DAY workshop or day of FAFSA activities to support students and their families as they navigate the application process.
Registration deadline: January 2026
West Virginia FAFSA Day: February 2026
First-Generation College Celebration Day
Register for First-Generation College Celebration Day and create specialized programming for students and families
In 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education and FirstGen Forward (formerly NASPA’s Center for First-Generation Student Success) launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration on November 8, the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Each year since, colleges across the country have joined in celebrating the first-generation college students on their campuses on this day. This year, College for West Virginia (CFWV) is once again joining this national effort to celebrate the successes and contributions of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni here in West Virginia!
During First-Generation Day, CFWV encourages colleges, universities, student support programs, and other interested entities to join us in celebrating the success of first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni in every way possible. Creating a registration for students and families to participate in specialized first-generation programming surrounding the day will celebrate first-gen students and inform students and families about the first-gen resources on your campus.
Registration Deadline: October 10
Post-event survey: