West Virginia Higher Education Grant

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is the state's main need-based grant for West Virginia students continuing their education after high school. Unlike the merit-based PROMISE Scholarship, it does not require a particular GPA or test score; eligibility rests on the financial need shown by the FAFSA. Award amounts are not fixed on the program page and depend on each student's need and on the funding the Legislature provides each year. The grant can generally be combined with other state, federal and institutional aid, so a student may receive it alongside a Pell Grant or a PROMISE award. The single most important step is filing the FAFSA by April 15, every year the student wants to be considered, since the program has no separate application. The program maintains a list of eligible institutions, and students can contact the Higher Education Policy Commission through their WVSAM account or by email for help. Because funding can change, award amounts may differ from year to year.