FAQs

How do I apply? To apply, complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the April 15^th deadline every year.

How are students awarded this grant? West Virginia residents who submit the FAFSA by the established deadline are automatically awarded in May if they meet the initial requirements on the completed FAFSA. Additional awards cycles are contingent upon available funding for those who filed their FAFSA by the April 15 deadline and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can I appeal the FAFSA deadline? No, there is no appeal for the FAFSA/application deadline.

Why do I not qualify? Review the list of eligibility criteria to find the complete list of requirements to qualify. If you received an award notification, the institutional financial office is responsible for confirming all eligibility criteria and renewal are met. If you are unsure if you met all the requirements, contact your financial aid office to find out why your grant was canceled.

Do I have to be a West Virginia resident to qualify? Yes, you must be a West Virginia resident for at least 12 months prior to date of application (for dependent students, both the legal residence of the student and the parent(s) on the FAFSA is the student’s residency).

How much is the West Virginia Higher Education Grant? For the 2025-2026 academic year, the annual award amount is up to $3,400 if attending an eligible West Virginia institution or up to $600 if attending an eligible Pennsylvania institution. The amount for the WV Higher Education Grant is approved annually by the WV Higher Education Policy Commission.

Why is my grant not listed on my financial aid account at my school? If you received an award notification, you should contact the financial aid office at your institution to discuss why the award has not been added to your award package.

How do I receive the West Virginia Higher Education Grant funds? Funds are sent directly to the institution listed on the electronic award letter. If you have questions or concerns about your account, you should contact your school’s financial aid office or our office. If you have received an award notification and the grant is not showing on your financial aid package, you should contact your institutional financial aid office. If you are attending a different institution than the one listed on the award letter, you must request the award be transferred to the eligible institution you are attending.

How do I transfer my award? If you received an award notification by email and will attend a different eligible institution than listed, click the Update My Institution button on the award letter and submit the transfer request to the correct institution. Tip: your name and date of birth must match what was input on your FAFSA for the request to be accepted.

If you are unable to make the request online, email to wvgrant@wvhepc.edu requesting a transfer. Be sure to include:

• Your full name
• The institution you will attend
• Term(s) you want the award transferred.

Can WVHEG funds be used for summer term(s)? No, the WVHEG can only be applied to fall and spring terms semesters or fall, winter and spring quarters.

Can I defer my WV Higher Education Grant Award? No, you cannot defer an award. If you are unable to utilize an award, it is canceled for the term(s) you are not enrolled. Students must reapply each year to be considered for an award.

How long may I receive a West Virginia Higher Education Grant award? The West Virginia Higher Education Grant may be used for up to eight terms or until a student has met the requirements for a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.

Where can I use the West Virginia Higher Education Grant? The West Virginia Higher Education Grant may be used at approved post-secondary public and independent institutions in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. Check out the list of eligible institutions.

What if I choose to attend an ineligible institution? You can only use the grant at eligible institutions. If you are enrolled at an ineligible institution, you are not eligible to use the award.

Can I transfer institutions without losing the grant? Yes, as long as you transfer to another eligible institutions within the award year. You should contact our office or your new institutional financial aid office if you decide to transfer.

Can I renew the WV Higher Education Grant? Yes. Recipients must complete the FAFSA every year to apply by the April 15 deadline and meet all eligibility and renewal requirements. Please review the list of renewal requirements.

Where can I find information about the FAFSA? For information about and to complete the FAFSA, visit StudentAid.gov. You can also find other helpful information about the FAFSA HERE.

Are appeals available for the WV Higher Education Grant? Yes, these are the appeals related to the WV Higher Education Grant. Email WVGrant@wvhepc.edu for more information.

• Academic Progress Requirement Waiver – For applicants who did not meet the credit-hour requirements and completely withdrew during a term grant funds were received due to extenuating circumstances. This can only be used to waive the credit-hour requirement for renewal and not the gpa or SAP requirement.
• Appeal to Waive Full-time Enrollment Requirement – If there are not enough college courses offered during a term toward the degree program to be enrolled full time during any term, recipients may appeal to have the full-time enrollment requirement waived by contacting the institutional financial aid office and ask about the Appeal to Waive Full-Time Enrollment Requirement.