# West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship

> Up to $5,500 from West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Deadline Mar 1, 2027.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/west-virginia-promise-scholarship
- Provider: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (State)
- Award: Up to $5,500, renewable
- Deadline: Deadline Mar 1, 2027
- State list: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/wv
- Official page: https://www.cfwv.com/financial-aid/promise-scholarship/
- Last verified by CollegesRef: Nov 6, 2026

## About this scholarship

PROMISE is West Virginia's merit scholarship for students who graduate from a West Virginia high school and attend an eligible public or independent two-year or four-year college in the state. It pays the lesser of $5,500 a year or the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, with the maximum set annually by the Higher Education Policy Commission and dependent on legislative funding. For the class of 2027, applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA and an ACT composite of 21 or SAT total of 1080, earned by the July ACT or June SAT test date. The student and the parent on the FAFSA must have lived in West Virginia for 12 months before the deadline, and at least half of high school credits must come from a West Virginia school. Only full-time first-year students can receive an initial award. To renew, scholars need a 2.75 cumulative GPA, 30 earned credits per year and continuous full-time enrollment. Awards last up to eight semesters for a bachelor's degree and must be used within six years.

## Who can apply

- Residents of: WV
- Education level: High school student, Undergraduate
- Year: 12th grade
- Minimum GPA: 3
- 3.0 high school GPA and ACT 21 or SAT 1080 (by the July ACT or June SAT test date). Student and FAFSA parent must have lived in West Virginia for 12 months before the deadline; at least half of high school credits earned in West Virginia. Renewal: 2.75 GPA and 30 credits per year, full time. Up to eight semesters for a bachelor's degree.

## How to apply

Submit the PROMISE Scholarship application and the FAFSA by March 1 of senior year, even if test scores or final grades are still pending. Scholars do not reapply but should file the FAFSA yearly.

## Related scholarships

- [WV STEM Scholarship](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/wv-stem-scholarship): Up to $3,000
- [West Virginia Higher Education Grant](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/west-virginia-higher-education-grant): Amount varies
- [West Virginia Nursing Scholarship program](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/west-virginia-nursing-scholarship-program): Amount varies
- [The Future is Yours West Virginia Child Scholarship](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/the-future-is-yours-west-virginia-child-scholarship): Up to $1,000

## Explore West Virginia

- [Colleges in West Virginia](https://www.collegesref.com/state/west-virginia)
- [West Virginia scholarships and grants](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/state/wv)

Always confirm amounts, rules and deadlines on the official page before applying.