FINANCIAL AID
WEST VIRGINIA
2021 COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
ABOUT THIS REPORT
In accordance with West Virginia Code §18C-1-1f, this report represents the thirteenth annual Financial Aid Comprehensive Report. It contains
(a) descriptions of and changes to West Virginia aid programs, (b) policy recommendations for West Virginia aid programs, and (c) longitudinal
data about recipients of state nancial aid. The Financial Aid Comprehensive Report, coupled with data published on the online higher
education data portal, provides a comprehensive view of the principal sources of nancial aid at West Virginia colleges and universities. It
should be noted that the data presented are for the 2020-21 academic year. Additional data are available through the statewide higher
education data portal - Explorer - at:
http://www.wvhepc.edu/resources/data-and-publication-center/
Image courtesy of Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Front cover image courtesy of West Virginia
University Institute of Technology
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Changes in West Virginia ................................................................................................................... 1
Policy Reections and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 2
Promise Scholarship .......................................................................................................................... 3
West Virginia Invests Grant Program .................................................................................................. 5
Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) ........................................................................................... 7
Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Grant Program ................................................... 9
HEAPS Workforce Component .......................................................................................................... 11
Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship ............................................................................................ 13
Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program ................................................................................ 15
Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship ........................................................................... 17
Medical Student Loan Program ........................................................................................................ 19
Choose West Virginia Practice Program ............................................................................................ 21
Nursing Scholarship Program .......................................................................................................... 23
Image courtesy of Fairmont State University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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CHANGES IN WEST VIRGINIA
The Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board met seven times in 2020-21 and made recommendations to the West Virginia
Higher Education Policy Commission regarding the academic criteria necessary to receive the Promise Scholarship, the Promise award amount,
and the Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) award structure and recommendations to help students during the pandemic.
In response to COVID-19, a number of changes in the Promise Scholarship award guidelines were implemented. These included testing
deadline extension for 2020-21 and 2021-22 awards and expanding the standardized testing option to include an ACT On-Campus test
administered by the colleges, in addition to the national tests to qualify for Promise. All 2021 graduating seniors were offered a free ACT On-
Campus test to qualify for Promise. The Class of 2021 and 2022 can superscore either their ACT or SAT tests to qualify for Promise. Further, the
application deadline to apply for Promise was extended to July 1, 2021 for the 2021-22 awards. The grade point average to renew Promise
was waived for 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic year.
For the WV Higher Education Grant, the deadline was extended to July 1, 2021 for 2021-22 awards. The grade point average to renew the WV
Higher Education Grant was waived for 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years. The maximum award for the WV Higher Education Grant was
increased to $3,000 from $2,900 for the 2021-22 award year.
During the 2021 legislative session, the Legislature passed changes to the West Virginia Invests Grant. These changes allow the West Virginia
Invests Grant to pay for academic fees approved by the WV Council for Community and Technical Education. The legislation also allows students
to take one drug screen per academic year instead of prior to each academic term and to utilize West Virginia Invests for one semester on
a probationary basis, if students test positive on a drug screen. The community service requirement was waived from Spring 2020 through
Summer 2021.
The grade point average to renew the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars award and the West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology
scholarship was waived for 2020-21. The national test score requirement for Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars program was waived for
2021-22 awards.
Image courtesy of Blueeld State College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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POLICY REFLECTIONS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Promise Scholarship Program
In March 2020, COVID-19 caused signicant changes in the world of higher education. The standardized testing deadline was extended from
August 2021 through October 2021 and on-campus ACT tests were administered to allow students additional opportunities to qualify for
Promise because of the cancellation of national standardized tests in 2020 and 2021. Through CARES Act funding, a free ACT On-Campus test
was made available in 2021 to 2021 Promise applicants to qualify for the Promise Scholarship. Superscoring was allowed to be utilized for
the Class of 2021 and 2022 because of the lack of opportunities students had to prepare themselves for national standardized tests during
the pandemic. The test score requirement for the Class of 2021 for a 2021-22 award was lowered by one point on both the composite ACT and
the subscores of the ACT test, or the equivalent on the SAT test. Students in the Class of 2021 were not qualifying for Promise at the same rate
as students in previous classes. The cumulative grade point average for Promise renewal was waived at the end of the 2020-21 award year
because many students struggled to adapt to online learning during the academic year.
At this time, it is recommended that no other changes to the academic criteria to
earn the award or the award amount be implemented based upon the current
appropriations and lottery funding. If the current funding for Promise were to
change, then the Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board and
the Commission would need to consider changes to the Promise Scholarship
Program.
Higher Education Grant Program
The Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board recommended that
the maximum award for 2021-22 be increased to $3,000 for students with an
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of under 12,000.
West Virginia Invests Grant Program
In the 2019 legislative session, SB1 created the last dollar grant program to cover tuition and mandatory fees at participating institutions for
certain certicate and associate degree programs that lead to high demand elds as identied by the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
In the 2021 legislative session, SB335 made changes to the West Virginia Invests Grant program to include academic fees in eligible expenses
for an award and to allow students to take a drug test once per academic year instead of each academic term. Students can also receive an
award on a probationary basis for one semester, if they test positive on a drug screen.
Image courtesy of West Liberty University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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The Promise Scholarship is a merit-based nancial aid program designed to: 1) improve high school and postsecondary academic achievement
through scholarship incentives; 2) promote access to higher education by reducing costs to students; 3) retain the “best and brightest”
students in West Virginia colleges and universities; and 4) create a more educated workforce, which, in turn, will lead to greater economic
development. Students who began receiving the award after January 1, 2010 receive annual awards up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition
and mandatory fees at public or non-prot, private institutions in West Virginia. Awards may be used in conjunction with other forms of state,
federal, and institutional nancial aid.
The scholarship is automatically renewed for up to four semesters for an associate degree or eight continuous semesters or until a bachelor’s
degree is earned for students in a bachelor’s degree program. To be considered for scholarship renewal, a student must have a minimum
overall GPA of 2.75 at the end of the rst award year on completed college coursework and a 3.0 GPA thereafter as well as earn 30 credit
hours for a two-semester award or earn 15 credit hours for a one-semester award within an award year. The grade point average renewal
requirement was waved for 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years. Recipients are also encouraged to engage in community service activities
while in college.
To qualify for a Promise Scholarship, a student must:
ŋ Complete high school graduation requirements at a West Virginia high school with at least half of the credits required for graduation
obtained at a public high school, private high school, or homeschool in the state (unless the student is a West Virginia resident
commuting daily to an out-of-state high school or meets the military dependent exemption);
ŋ Complete the Promise core high school curriculum;
ŋ Apply for the scholarship within two years of graduation from high school by submitting both the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) and the Promise application form;
ŋ Have attained a cumulative core and overall high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale according to local standardized grading in
coursework required for graduation by the West Virginia Board of Education;
ŋ Have attained a composite ACT score of 22 (or the comparable SAT score) with a minimum score of 20 on all four subject tests. For the
Class of 2021 for a 2021-22 award the required score was lowered by one point on both the composite ACT and the subscores of the
ACT test, or the equivalent on the SAT test;
ŋ Beginning with the 2019-20 award year, home-schooled applicants need to obtain a cumulative core and overall high school GPA of
3.0 on a 4.0 scale instead of achieving an eligible score on the GED/Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) and meet all other
criteria to be Promise eligible;
ŋ Have attained a 550-minimum score on the TASC exam if the student attended an alternative education program;
ŋ Have resided in West Virginia continuously for 12 months immediately preceding application for the Promise (unless meeting the
military dependent exemption); and
ŋ Be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen who meets the residency requirements for Federal Student Aid.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of Promise recipients decreased from 10,185 in 2019-20 to 9,936 in 2020-21. The total cost of the scholarship decreased
from $46,537,525 in 2019-20 to $45,066,815 in 2020-21.
ŋ Approximately 91.2 percent of Promise recipients in 2020-21 attended a four-year public institution. Of these, most attended either
West Virginia University (51%) or Marshall University (19.2%). Public community and technical colleges accounted for 2.8 percent of
Promise scholars in 2020-21.
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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Promise Scholarship: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 9,057 91.2% $41,318,397
Blueeld State College 94 0.9% $403,372
Concord University 254 2.6% $1,119,778
Fairmont State University 670 6.7% $3,025,095
Glenville State College 125 1.3% $554,063
Marshall University 1,904 19.2% $8,751,803
Shepherd University 431 4.3% $1,930,043
West Liberty University 337 3.4% $1,523,170
West Virginia State University 170 1.7% $741,760
West Virginia University*
5072 51.0% $23,269,313
Two-Year Public Institutions 282 2.8% $1,021,641
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 29 0.3% $96,307
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 32 0.3% $121,390
Eastern WV Community and Technical College 3 0.0% $9,420
Mountwest Community and Technical College 8 0.1% $29,016
New River Community and Technical College 13 0.1% $48,092
Pierpont Community and Technical College 35 0.4% $149,205
Southern WV Community and Technical College 38 0.4% $131,376
WV Northern Community College 21 0.2% $65,756
WVU at Parkersburg 103 1.0% $371,079
Four-Year Private, Non-Prot Institutions 597 6.0% $2,726,777
Alderson Broaddus University 37 0.4% $176,755
Appalachian Bible College 10 0.1% $38,000
Bethany College 34 0.3% $159,125
Davis & Elkins College 55 0.6% $250,194
Ohio Valley University 11 0.1% $49,875
University of Charleston 188 1.9% $850,287
West Virginia Wesleyan College 245 2.5% $1,131,291
Wheeling University 17 0.2% $71,250
Total 9,936 100.0% $45,066,815
* Includes Potomac State College of WVU and WVU Institute of Technology.
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 10,403 10,450 10,397 10,185 9,936
Awards $47,280,645 $47,396,369 $47,454,201 $46,537,525 $45,066,815
Average Award $4,545 $4,536 $4,564 $4,569 $4,536
Total Promise Recipients, Awards, and Average Award, 2016-17 to 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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The West Virginia Invests Grant is a “last-dollar-in” nancial aid program designed to cover the cost of basic tuition and mandatory fees for
certicate or associate degree programs in specic high-demand elds, as determined by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, at a
participating West Virginia public two- or four-year institution. "Last dollar" means federal and state scholarships and grants and institutional
tuition waivers are applied to tuition and mandatory fees rst. West Virginia Invests will cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees not
being covered by other scholarships and grants.
The West Virginia Invests Grant is available to students attending participating West Virginia public two-year or four-year institutions. In order
to be eligible for an Invests award, a potential recipient must:
ŋ Be a West Virginia resident 12 months prior to applying;
ŋ Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for federal nancial aid purposes;
ŋ Have a high school degree or equivalent;
ŋ Have not already earned a college degree or attempted 90 or more college credit hours;
ŋ Not be in default on a federal student loan;
ŋ Meet college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy;
ŋ Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid;
ŋ Pay for and pass a drug screen once per academic year;
ŋ Complete two hours of unpaid community service each term; and
ŋ Reside in West Virginia for two years once the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time or else repay the grant.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of West Virginia Invests Grant recipients increased from 1,168 in 2019-20 to 1,431 in the 2020-21 academic year. The
total funding awarded also increased from $3,269,353 to $4,139,513.
ŋ Invests recipients received an average award of $2,893 in 2020-21.
ŋ A majority of Invests funds (95%) were disbursed to students attending a West Virginia public two-year institution, with Pierpont
Community and Technical College, BridgeValley Community and Technical College and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
enrolling the highest number of Invests recipients at 322, 249 and 234 students, respectively.
From left to right, images courtesy of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, New River
Community and Technical College and Mountwest Community and Technical College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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WV Invests Grant: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 71 5.0% $209,614
Potomac State College of WVU 71 5.0% $209,614
Two-Year Public Institutions 1,360 95.0% $3,929,899
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 234 16.4% $582,198
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 249 17.4% $741,129
Eastern WV Community and Technical College 31 2.2% $69,814
Mountwest Community and Technical College 85 5.9% $246,896
New River Community and Technical College 111 7.8% $318,049
Pierpont Community and Technical College 322 22.5% $1,104,739
Southern WV Community and Technical College 91 6.4% $228,159
WV Northern Community College 114 8.0% $336,485
WVU at Parkersburg 123 8.6% $302,430
Total 1,431 100.0% $4,139,513
2019-20 2020-21
Recipients . . . 1,168 1,431
Awards . . . $3,269,353 $4,139,513
Average Award . . . $2,799 $2,893
Total WV Invests Grant Recipients, Awards, and Average Award, 2019-20 to 2020-21
Image courtesy of West Virginia Northern Community College
LEARN MORE AT WWW.COLLEGEFORWV.COM/PROGRAMS/INVEST-GRANT
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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The West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) is a need-based nancial aid program designed to ensure that West Virginia
students with nancial need are given an opportunity to pursue postsecondary education. The grant may be renewed until the student's
course of study is completed but may not exceed an additional three academic years beyond the initial award. Students must le a FAFSA
each year to be eligible for renewal. Awards are based on demonstrated nancial need and generally may be used in conjunction with other
forms of state, federal, and institutional nancial aid.
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant may be used at approved public and private postsecondary institutions in West Virginia or
Pennsylvania. The grant may be transferred from one eligible institution to another. Renewal is not automatic; students must reapply each
year.
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is available to degree-seeking residents of West Virginia. In order to be eligible for
an HEGP award, a potential recipient must:
ŋ Be a citizen of the United States;
ŋ Have maintained West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to the date of application;
ŋ Be a high school graduate or the equivalent thereof;
ŋ Demonstrate an established level of nancial need through submission of the FAFSA;
ŋ Demonstrate academic promise dened as a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA or a score of 2250 on the GED or a 500 on the TASC
(this requirement does not apply to those more than ve years out of high school) and meet institutional admission requirements;
ŋ Enroll at a participating institution in West Virginia or Pennsylvania as a full-time undergraduate student; and
ŋ Have not previously earned a bachelor's degree.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of HEGP recipients decreased from 15,682 in 2019-20 to 14,461 in 2020-21, with total awards declining from
$37,312,270 to $35,448,005. The average award amount increased from $2,379 to $2,451 during the same period.
ŋ In the 2020-21 academic year, 67.8 percent of HEGP recipients attended public four-year institutions. Of these, most students
attended either West Virginia University (25.7%) or Marshall University (15.7%).
ŋ Public community and technical colleges accounted for 19.6 percent of HEGP awardees in 2020-21, while four-year private, nonprot
institutions accounted for 7.1 percent.
From left to right, images courtesy of Concord University, West
Virginia University at Parkersburg and Shepherd University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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HEGP: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 9,811 67.8% $24,953,480
Blueeld State College 397 2.7% $1,020,625
Concord University 554 3.8% $1,365,679
Fairmont State University 1,049 7.3% $2,629,357
Glenville State College 379 2.6% $939,000
Marshall University 2,272 15.7% $5,880,134
Shepherd University 550 3.8% $1,339,352
West Liberty University 438 3.0% $1,110,826
West Virginia State University 456 3.2% $1,109,956
West Virginia University* 3,716 25.7% $9,558,551
Two-Year Public Institutions 2,830 19.6% $6,412,997
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 292 2.0% $609,340
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 436 3.0% $997,769
Eastern WV Community and Technical College 59 0.4% $142,426
Mountwest Community and Technical College 240 1.7% $569,647
New River Community and Technical College 296 2.0% $625,282
Pierpont Community and Technical College 360 2.5% $842,060
Southern WV Community and Technical College 465 3.2% $1,116,673
WV Northern Community College 231 1.6% $478,536
WVU at Parkersburg 451 3.1% $1,031,264
Four-Year Private, Non-Prot Institutions 1,021 7.1% $2,592,108
Alderson Broaddus University 101 0.7% $257,354
Appalachian Bible College 25 0.2% $67,150
Bethany College 54 0.4% $140,083
Davis & Elkins College 201 1.4% $494,743
Ohio Valley University 29 0.2% $74,000
University of Charleston 340 2.4% $821,676
West Virginia Wesleyan College 243 1.7% $664,815
Wheeling University 28 0.2% $72,287
WV For-Prot Institutions 612 4.2% $1,381,120
Huntington Junior College 64 0.4% $136,018
Mountain State College 11 0.1% $30,450
Salem University 46 0.3% $107,642
Valley College of Technology - Multiple Campuses 115 0.8% $274,837
WV Junior College - Multiple Campuses 376 2.6% $832,173
Pennsylvania Institutions 187 1.3% $108,300
Total 14,461 100.0% $35,448,005
* Includes Potomac State College of WVU and WVU Institute of Technology.
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 17,612 17,072 16,487 15,682 14,461
Awards $40,219,387 $38,969,119 $37,656,198 $37,312,270 $35,448,005
Average Award $2,284 $2,283 $2,284 $2,379 $2,451
Total HEGP Recipients, Awards, and Average Award, 2016-17 to 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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The goal of the HEAPS Part-Time Component is to encourage and enable West Virginia students who demonstrate nancial need to continue
their education on a part-time basis at the postsecondary level. For students enrolled at a public college or university, the maximum grant
is based on the actual per credit hour tuition and required fees charged. For students enrolled at other eligible institutions, the award is
based upon the average per credit hour tuition and required fees charged by public undergraduate institutions of higher education. Total
aid, including a HEAPS award, may not exceed the recipient's demonstrated nancial need. Aid may be used at a community college, a state
college or university, an private college or university in West Virginia, or a career and technical school. Recipients are selected each year by
institutions based on the student's eligibility and the availability of funds.
Students eligible for a HEAPS award must:
ŋ Maintain West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to date of application;
ŋ Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States;
ŋ Submit the FAFSA;
ŋ Demonstrate nancial need;
ŋ Not be in default on a higher education loan;
ŋ Not be incarcerated in a correctional facility; and
ŋ Comply with the Military Selective Service Act.
HEAPS grants can be renewed until the program of study is completed but cannot exceed an additional nine years beyond the rst year of the
award. Renewal consideration will be based on meeting satisfactory academic progress, ling the FAFSA, demonstrating nancial need, and
following the institution’s awarding procedures.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of students receiving a HEAPS Part-
Time Component award decreased from 2,859 in
2019-20 to 2,739 in 2020-21 and the actual dollars
awarded decreased slightly from $3,271,425 to
$3,084,059 during the same period.
ŋ The average award decreased from $1,144 in
2019-20 to $1,126 in 2020-21.
ŋ About 49 percent of HEAPS Part-Time Component
recipients were enrolled at public four-year
institutions, while 47.1 percent were enrolled at
public two-year institutions in 2020-21. Public
vocational/technical centers accounted for 2
percent of recipients while 1.9 percent attended
a four-year private, non-prot institution in 2020-
21.
Image courtesy of Pierpont Community and Technical College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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HEAPS: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 1,343 49.0% $1,325,525
Blueeld State College 52 1.9% $79,025
Concord University 24 0.9% $53,428
Fairmont State University 287 10.5% $198,450
Glenville State College 57 2.1% $71,093
Marshall University 503 18.4% $345,509
Shepherd University 133 4.9% $105,104
West Liberty University 25 0.9% $33,899
West Virginia State University 49 1.8% $93,555
West Virginia University* 213 7.8% $345,462
Two-Year Public Institutions 1,291 47.1% $1,628,218
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 330 12.0% $378,295
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 182 6.6% $209,635
Eastern WV Community and Technical College 39 1.4% $45,033
Mountwest Community and Technical College 143 5.2% $127,735
New River Community and Technical College 82 3.0% $108,400
Pierpont Community and Technical College 133 4.9% $121,598
Southern WV Community and Technical College 126 4.6% $156,353
WV Northern Community College 144 5.3% $220,176
WVU at Parkersburg 112 4.1% $260,993
Four-Year Private, Non-Prot Institutions 51 1.9% $73,970
Alderson Broaddus University 18 0.7% $11,770
Appalachian Bible College 8 0.3% $8,619
Davis & Elkins College 3 0.1% $1,883
University of Charleston 19 0.7% $49,815
West Virginia Wesleyan College 3 0.1% $1,883
Public Vocational/Technical Colleges 54 2.0% $56,346
Academy of Careers and Technology 13 0.5% $18,655
Fred. W. Eberle Technical Center 8 0.3% $3,104
Garnet Career Center 11 0.4% $12,045
James Rumsey Technical Institute 4 0.1% $7,776
Mercer County Technical Education Center 4 0.1% $5,064
Monongalia County School MTEC 4 0.1% $2,800
United Technical Center 10 0.4% $6,902
Total 2,739 100.0% $3,084,059
* Includes Potomac State College of WVU and WVU Institute of Technology.
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 3,071 2,784 2,809 2,859 2,739
Awards $3,002,973 $2,984,110 $2,961,220 $3,271,425 $3,084,059
Average Award $978 $1,072 $1,054 $1,144 $1,126
Total HEAPS Recipients, Awards, and Average Award, 2016-17 to 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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The HEAPS Workforce Development Component is awarded to students who demonstrate nancial need and enroll in a postsecondary certicate,
industry-recognized credential, or other skill development program in a high-demand occupation in West Virginia. Students demonstrating
nancial need who are enrolled in an approved program may receive the cost of the program up to $2,000. Students enrolled in multiple
approved programs for a single academic year can receive a cumulative maximum of $2,000 for all programs. Eligible programs for funding
reimbursement are non-credit skill upgrade programs that complement West Virginia Development Ofce initiatives for targeted industries
or employers, promote job creation or retention, or assist in developing skills for new economy jobs or high-performance workplaces. The
West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education, with input from the West Virginia Development Ofce, annually sets
programmatic funding priorities.
Students eligible for a HEAPS Workforce award must:
ŋ Maintain West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to
date of application;
ŋ Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States;
ŋ Submit the HEAPS Workforce Development application;
ŋ Have earned a high school diploma or high school equivalent, or
be pursuing the TASC;
ŋ Not be in default on a federal student loan;
ŋ Not be incarcerated in a correctional facility;
ŋ Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in postsecondary certicate,
industry-recognized credential, or other skill development
programs of study; and
ŋ Demonstrate nancial need.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of students receiving HEAPS Workforce Development
Component funds increased from 760 in 2019-20 to 769 in 2020-
21, while the actual dollars awarded decreased from $1,210,909
to $1,034,993 during the same period.
ŋ The average award decreased from $1,593 in 2019-20 to $1,346
in 2020-21.
ŋ About 60.3 percent of HEAPS Workforce recipients were enrolled
at public two-year institutions in 2020-21. Public vocational/
technical centers accounted for 16.1 percent of recipients while
23.5 percent attended an private for-prot institution in 2020-21.
Image courtesy of BridgeValley Community and Technical College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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HEAPS Workforce: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Two-Year Public Institutions 464 60.3% $481,205
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College 192 25.0% $128,910
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 45 5.9% $85,192
Eastern WV Community and Technical College 162 21.1% $161,016
Mountwest Community and Technical College 8 1.0% $6,450
New River Community and Technical College 5 0.7% $4,463
Pierpont Community and Technical College 2 0.3% $3,990
WV Northern Community College 6 0.8% $4,184
WVU at Parkersburg 44 5.7% $87,000
Public Vocational/Technical Colleges 124 16.1% $213,660
Academy of Careers and Technology 41 5.3% $69,358
Benjamin Franklin Career and Technical Center 4 0.5% $6,755
Cabell County Career Technology Center 13 1.7% $22,122
Carver Career and Technical Center 24 3.1% $44,674
Fayette Institute of Technology 2 0.3% $4,000
Garnet Career Center 18 2.3% $31,902
Mercer County Technical Educational Center 9 1.2% $17,600
Ralph R. Willis Vocational Center 1 0.1% $2,000
Roane Jackson Technical Center 2 0.3% $1,712
United Technical Center 6 0.8% $10,000
Wood County School of Practical Nursing 4 0.5% $3,537
WV For-Prot Institutions 181 23.5% $340,128
Valley College of Technology - Multiple Campuses 181 23.5% $340,128
Total 769 100.0% $1,034,993
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 720 668 721 760 769
Awards $1,128,138 $1,114,439 $1,140,944 $1,210,909 $1,034,993
Average Award $1,567 $1,668 $1,582 $1,593 $1,346
Total HEAPS Workforce Recipients, Awards, and Average Award, 2016-17 to 2020-21
From left to right, images courtesy of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College,
Pierpont Community and Technical College and Mountwest Community and Technical College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 32 32 29 25 5
Awards $155,577 $146,321 $125,000 $110,000 $20,000
Average Award $4,862 $4,573 $4,310 $4,400 $4,000
The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is a student nancial aid program designed to enable and encourage West Virginians to
pursue teaching careers at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or secondary school level. Undergraduate and graduate scholarships, not to
exceed $5,000 per academic year, are awarded on the basis of academic qualications and interest in teaching.
Recipients of the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship must agree to teach at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or secondary school level
in West Virginia for two years for each year of scholarship assistance. However, if a scholar enters a teacher shortage area, an exceptional
children’s program, a school having less than average academic results, or a school in an economically disadvantaged area as designated by
the West Virginia Board of Education, then the scholar can teach one year for each year the scholarship was received.
Eligibility for an Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship is limited to West Virginia residents who:
ŋ Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a scale of 4.0 after successfully completing two years of course work at an approved
institution of higher education; and
ŋ graduate students who graduated or will graduate from an undergraduate institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0
scale.
Scholarship renewal is not automatic. The scholarship may be renewed as long as the recipient is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited
institution of higher education in West Virginia; is pursuing a course of study leading to teacher certication at the pre-school, elementary,
middle, or secondary school level; maintains satisfactory progress according to that institution; and submits an application by the deadline.
There are also limited provisions for meeting the teaching requirement through alternative service. Students who fail to meet the teaching or
alternative service requirements are required to repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees.
Highlights:
ŋ The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship provided average awards of $4,400 to 25 teacher education majors in 2019-20, which was
also the last year of the program. In the nal phase-out year, 5 students received funding with an average award of $4,000.
ŋ The West Virginia Legislature restructured the program during the 2019 regular session, creating the new Underwood-Smith Teaching
Scholars Program. The new program provides up to $10,000 per year for students who pursue teaching careers in high demand
elds. The rst cohort of teaching scholars enrolled as freshmen in the fall of 2020.
Total Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Recipients, Awards, and Average Award,
2016-17 to 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Recipients: Total Recipients and Awards by
Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 5 100.0% $20,000
Glenville State College 1 20.0% $5,000
Marshall University 1 20.0% $2,500
West Liberty University 2 40.0% $10,000
West Virginia State University 1 20.0% $2,500
Total 5 100.0% $20,000
Image courtesy of Glenville State College
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
15
2020-21
Recipients . . . . 25
Awards . . . . $243,044
Average Award . . . . $9,722
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is West Virginia’s newest and most prestigious state-funded nancial aid program – offering
up to $10,000 per year ($40K total) to cover the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and other eligible expenses toward earning a
bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher education program.
The program is designed to address ongoing teacher shortages in the elds of math, science, special education and elementary education.
Recipients must commit to teaching in a high-demand eld in West Virginia for ve years after graduation. The scholarship becomes a student
loan if they do not fulll the service commitment at a prorated amount based on the number of years they teach (i.e., if they teach for 4 years,
80% of the loan is forgiven). To give scholars the greatest chance at success, each recipient will be paired with a practicing classroom teacher
mentor. Mentors will check in on scholars periodically throughout the year and will be on-call to provide guidance and assistance as needed.
The award is stackable with other forms of nancial aid. West Virginia residents who receive the Promise Scholarship ($4,750 per year) will
receive nearly $15,000 per year to help pay for college.
Eligibility for the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is limited to applicants who:
ŋ Are high school seniors or recent high school graduates with plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher preparation
program in math, science, elementary education or special education at an eligible West Virginia institution;
ŋ Have never been enrolled as a degree-seeking student at college or university;
ŋ Achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.25 on 4.0 scale, or an equivalent grade point average based on
an individual school district’s grading policy;
ŋ Earned minimum ACT scores of 21 in math and 18 in English, or minimum SAT scores of 530 in math and 480 in English;
ŋ Are United States citizens or hold valid Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), or work permits, issued by the United States
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ofce; and
ŋ Agree to teach in a West Virginia public school for ve years after college graduation in the elds of math, science, elementary
education, or special education.
ŋ Applicants are not required to be residents of the state of West Virginia.
Highlights:
ŋ In the rst year of the program, 25 scholars were awarded $243,044 for an average award of $9,722.
Total Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program Recipients, Awards, and Average
Award, 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
16
Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program: Total Recipients and Awards by Institution,
2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 21 84.0% $203,044
Concord University 2 8.0% $13,044
Fairmont State University 4 16.0% $40,000
Glenville State College 2 8.0% $20,000
Marshall University 2 8.0% $20,000
Shepherd University 2 8.0% $20,000
West Liberty University 1 4.0% $10,000
West Virginia University 5 20.0% $50,000
WV State University 3 12.0% $30,000
Two-Year Public Institutions 1 4.0% $10,000
WVU at Parkersburg 1 4.0% $10,000
Four-Year Private, Non-Prot Institutions 3 12.0% $30,000
Ohio Valley University 1 4.0% $10,000
West Virginia Wesleyan College 2 8.0% $20,000
Total 25 100.0% $243,044
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 221 232 190 250 233
Awards $641,504 $677,023 $561,700 $717,006 $662,027
Average Award $2,903 $2,906 $2,956 $2,868 $2,841
The West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program is a student nancial aid program designed to enable and
encourage academically talented individuals to pursue careers in the elds of engineering, science, and technology. Scholarships are awarded
to degree- or certicate-seeking students on the basis of academic qualications and are not to exceed $3,000 per academic year. Recipients
of the ESTS agree to work full-time in an engineering, science, or technology eld in West Virginia for one year for each year the scholarship
was received or begin an approved program of community service related to engineering, science, or technology. Students who do not meet
the employment or community service requirement must repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees.
To qualify for the ESTS, a student must:
ŋ Be a United States citizen or resident alien who is an eligible non-citizen;
ŋ Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale upon graduation from high school or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
after completing two semesters of coursework at an eligible institution of higher education; and
ŋ Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an engineering, science, or technology program leading to a certicate, associate, or
bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution of higher education.
Scholarship renewal is not automatic. The scholarship may be renewed as long as the recipient is enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible
institution of higher education; is pursuing a certicate, associate, or bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or technology; maintains
satisfactory progress according to that institution; and submits an application by the deadline.
Highlights:
ŋ The number of Engineering, Science, and Technology Scholarship recipients decreased from 250 in 2019-20 academic year to 233 in
2020-21. The total amount awarded also decreased during this period, from $717,006 in 2019-20 to $662,027 in 2020-21.
ŋ ESTS recipients received an average award of $2,841 in 2020-21, down slightly from $2,868 the year before.
ŋ Most ESTS recipients, 94 percent, attended a public four-year institution, with West Virginia University enrolling 61.4 percent of the
total recipients and Marshall University enrolling 16.3 percent.
Total Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Recipients, Awards, and Average
Award, 2016-17 to 2020-21
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
18
Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship: Total Recipients and Awards by
Institution, 2020-21
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 219 94.0% $621,527
Blueeld State College 5 2.1% $13,500
Concord University 3 1.3% $9,000
Fairmont State University 18 7.7% $51,000
Marshall University 38 16.3% $106,500
Shepherd University 9 3.9% $24,000
West Liberty University 3 1.3% $7,500
West Virginia University 143 61.4% $410,027
Two-Year Public Institutions 2 0.9% $6,000
BridgeValley Community and Technical College 1 0.4% $3,000
Pierpont Community and Technical College 1 0.4% $3,000
Four-Year Private, Non-Prot Institutions 12 5.2% $34,500
Bethany College 1 0.4% $3,000
Davis & Elkins College 1 0.4% $3,000
University of Charleston 4 1.7% $12,000
West Virginia Wesleyan College 6 2.6% $16,500
Total 233 100.0% $662,027
Image courtesy of West Virginia University Institute of Technology
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
19
The purpose of this program is to enable needy medical students to obtain loan funds to pursue a degree at Marshall University School of
Medicine, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, or West Virginia University School of Medicine.
To be eligible for loan consideration, an applicant must:
ŋ Be a United States citizen or legal immigrant pursuing United States citizenship;
ŋ Be accepted for enrollment or be enrolled full-time at an approved West Virginia medical school with priority consideration given to
residents of the state;
ŋ Meet designated academic standards;
ŋ Demonstrate nancial need as determined by each medical school; and
ŋ Not be in default on any previous student loan(s).
The program is funded by fees paid by medical students. The nancial aid ofce at the medical school determines eligibility and makes the
awards. The maximum annual loan amount cannot exceed $10,000. Funding availability at each medical school may limit the number of
awards or the value of individual awards. Students may apply for loan assistance for each year of medical school.
The rst payment will be due one year following the date that the borrower ceases to be a full-time medical student at a West Virginia medical
school. The borrower has a maximum of 10 years to repay the loan (principal and interest). Borrowers will not be required to make payments
during periods of authorized deferments, including approved medical residencies and fellowships (not to exceed ve years).
Instead of repaying the loan, the borrower may elect to have the loan forgiven at a rate of up to $10,000 for each period of 12 consecutive
calendar months of full-time practice in West Virginia in a qualifying medically-underserved area or in a qualied medical specialty in which
there is a shortage of physicians. The medical specialties that qualify for loan forgiveness are family medicine/family practice; general surgery;
internal medicine; obstetrics/gynecology; pediatrics; and psychiatry.
Highlights:
ŋ In 2020-21, 352 students received a total of $1,712,559 in awards through the Medical Student Loan Program.
ŋ Approximately 4 percent of previous award recipients were in default status during the 2020-21 academic year, down from 8 percent
the year prior.
From left to right, images courtesy of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine,
West Virginia University and Marshall University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
20
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 247 240 246 242 352
Funds Disbursed $1,424,846 $1,830,125 $1,732,612 $1,801,000 $1,712,559
Loan Deferment 12 35 16 11 10
Loan Forgiveness* 33 255 300 300 315
Default Rate on Previous Awards 2.5% 7.2% 7.2% 8.0% 4.0%
Medical Student Loan Program: Awards, Total Funds Disbursed, Cancellation and Default
Rate, 2016-17 to 2020-21
*Starting in 2017-18 the number reported for loan forgiveness includes the total number of recipients in repayment who are seeking loan forgiveness. Prior to 2017-18, the
number reported only included those who had completed their obligation toward loan forgiveness.
Image courtesy of West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
21
The Choose West Virginia Practice Program is a state-funded incentive program and is administered by the Commission. The program provides
a tuition waiver to nonresident West Virginia medical students who agree to remain in West Virginia to practice in underserved areas of the
state upon completion of their education and training. Two medical students from each West Virginia medical school are eligible to be awarded
each academic year and will receive a tuition wavier for the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition (approximately $30,000).
To be eligible for the award, students must:
ŋ Be accepted or enrolled at Marshall University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, or West Virginia University in a program
leading to a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy;
ŋ Meet institutional requirements for being classied as an out-of-state student;
ŋ Not be in default of any previous student loan; and
ŋ Be employed full-time or part-time at an eligible practice site.
Although students from any current medical school class year are eligible to apply, medical students who meet the eligibility criteria listed
above and who are in their rst year of medical school will receive preference.
Subject to continued state funding, students who receive an award will be eligible to receive an award in each of their remaining years of
medical school as long as they:
ŋ Progress to the next academic year of their program;
ŋ Maintain good academic standing; and
ŋ Maintain good professional standing.
Highlights:
ŋ The total amount awarded increased from $190,856 in 2019-20 to $253,108 in 2020-21.
ŋ Recipients received an average award of $42,185 in 2020-21, an increase from $31,809 the year before.
From left to right, images courtesy of Potomac State College of WVU, Concord
University and Shepherd University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
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2019-20 2020-21
Recipients . . . 6 6
Funds Disbursed . . . $190,856 $253,108
Average Award . . . $31,809 $42,185
Choose West Virginia Practice Program: Total Recipients, Total Funds Disbursed, Average
Award, 2019-20 to 2020-21
Image courtesy of West Virginia University
Recipients % of Total Recipients Awards
Four-Year Public Institutions 6 100.0% $253,108
Marshall University 1 16.7% $33,358
West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine 3 50.0% $93,714
West Virginia University 2 33.3% $126,036
Total 6 100.0% $253,108
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
23
In partnership with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Center for Nursing offers a loan forgiveness
program to assist current and future West Virginia nursing professionals with their education. Nurses benet from nancial assistance, and in
return agree to work or teach in West Virginia to fulll the service obligation specic to their degree.
Students must be enrolled in an accredited West Virginia nursing program at least half-time. Students may be awarded for fall, spring, and/
or summer. Recipients must begin employment at an eligible work site in West Virginia within six months of graduation to avoid repayment.
A recipient who fails to provide verication that he or she is meeting the service obligation is required to repay the principal and any interest
that accrues on the award amount. Repayment of the award must begin within six months of graduation and be completed within 10 years.
The following awards are offered through the Nursing Scholarship Program:
ŋ Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): An award of up to $3,000 per year is available for a student in an LPN education program who has
completed at least one-half of the program. A recipient is required to practice nursing as an LPN in West Virginia for one year for each
year in which the recipient received an award.
ŋ Registered Nurse (RN): An award of up to $7,500 per year is available for a student who has completed at least one-half of an RN
education program. A recipient is required to teach in an accredited West Virginia nursing program or practice nursing as an RN
in West Virginia for two years for each year in which the recipient
received an award.
ŋ Nursing Master’s Degree or Doctoral Nursing or Education Program:
An award of up to $15,000 per year is available to a student in a
nursing master’s degree program or a doctoral nursing or education
program. A recipient is required to teach in an accredited West
Virginia nursing program for two years for each year in which the
recipient received an award.
ŋ Licensed Practical Nurse Teaching Certicate: An award of up to
$1,000 per year is available for a student obtaining a licensed
practical nurse teaching certicate. A recipient is required to teach
in a West Virginia LPN program for one year for each year in which
the recipient received an award.
Highlights:
ŋ The Nursing Scholarship Program awarded a total of 183 scholarships to nursing students at all levels during the 2020-21 academic
year totaling $340,150 in scholarship aid.
ŋ The number of Nursing Scholarship Program recipients increased from 169 in 2019-20 to 183 in 2020-21.
ŋ The total awarded amount increased from $294,172 in 2019-20 to $340,150 in 2020-21.
2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21
Recipients 208 130 150 169 183
Funds Disbursed $199,500 $317,000 $276,950 $294,172 $340,150
Average Award $959 $2,438 $1,846 $1,741 $1,859
Nursing Scholarship Program: Awards and Total Funds Disbursed, 2016-17 to 2020-21
Image courtesy of West Virginia State University
2021 FINANCIAL AID COMPREHENSIVE REPORT
24
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional detailed information on state and federal nancial aid programs in West Virginia, including demographics and aid distribution
by county, visit Explorer, the state's higher education data portal, at:
http://www.wvhepc.edu/resources/data-and-publication-center/
CONTACT INFORMATION
Brian Weingart
Senior Director of Financial Aid
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (304) 558-4618
Dr. Zorrie Georgieva
Research and Policy Analyst Senior
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (304) 558-1112
1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
www.wvhepc.edu
www.wvctcs.org
