More than $80 million for WV college students, higher education establishments approved

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Governor Jim Justice signed a law which will provide over $80 million to the state’s higher education system.

The funding will help support and strengthen West Virginia’s financial aid programs and help colleges and universities.

Governor Justice, along with recent high school graduates and presidents of some colleges and universities said that this money will help students continue their education and help with any challenges from the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This money will help our students stay on track for their futures despite the mess created by the federal government. Our students and higher education institutions deserve stability and support, and we are committed to providing it. This funding will ensure our students have peace of mind and our state’s institutions can serve our communities effectively.

Governor Justice

$40 million of the funding will go to the state’s Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), which was able to increase the amount for students from $3,400 to $6,800 for the 2024/2025 school year. $11.2 million of the funding will go towards a new College Access Emergency Grant, which will give $2,000 to eligible students. In addition, $32 million of the funding will go to support the operations of West Virginia’s public colleges and universities.

I thank Gov. Justice and the Legislature for their strong leadership in allowing students to access these funds. Thanks to them, students who qualify for HEGP will have access to up to double the normal amount for the upcoming academic year. This is in addition to a newly created grant program that will allow that support to reach even further. This is a game changer for our students in an otherwise challenging year.

Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education

The FASFA determines a student’s financial needs for college. A new FASFA was created at the beginning of the year, making it challenging for students and families across West Virginia and the nation to get used to. Due to this change, Governor Justice declared a State of Emergency earlier in April to temporarily stop the requirements for FASFA so students can apply to the state’s largest financial aid programs instead.

On behalf of the Senate, we are proud to be part of this day with Gov. Justice, Senate President Blair said. We had a real emergency facing our state, and thousands of our young people were at risk of seeing their dreams of attending college disappear because of the federal government’s failure to come through on their promises. In West Virginia, we keep our promises. This funding will help our students and our higher education institutions be prepared for the upcoming academic year, and it will take that financial worry off the table.

Senate President Blair

Gov. Justice gave us a solid vehicle to help correct the Biden Administration’s failure to fix the mess it created with FAFSA forms that left thousands of students in West Virginia without a clear path for their higher education plans this fall. It was imperative these funds be made available right now because our higher education institutions are making financial aid awards for the fall semester right now. We expect to be repaid substantially when the federal government corrects its failed system, but I’m pleased Gov. Justice and a majority of members of the Legislature were not willing to let West Virginia’s students and our institutions of higher education suffer because of the federal government’s failure here.

Speaker Hanshaw

These funds will help more West Virginians go to college by enhancing state grants and giving institutions like West Virginia University the ability to provide more resources to students. We know we have many students and families waiting for their aid packages to make their final decisions. That is why the Governor’s decision to help our students is so important, and I want to thank him for his leadership and support of higher education. I also want to thank the Legislature for moving quickly to pass these bills and send them to the Governor’s desk, and I extend my gratitude to Chancellor Tucker for working with West Virginia University and other universities and colleges in the state to tackle this challenge.

Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University

We appreciate Gov. Jim Justice, Chancellor Sarah Tucker, and the West Virginia Legislature for unlocking the doors to higher education and providing our institutions with the flexibility and tools needed to empower students to pursue their dreams. Their quick and thoughtful action will foster a future rich with knowledge, innovation, and opportunity for all of West Virginia.

Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University

The team at BridgeValley Community and Technical College are excited to be able to serve more students as a result of this funding. We know the FAFSA has been a challenge for many families this year, and it shows strong leadership in our state to see a bill come forward in a special session that will support so many of our students.

Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley Community and Technical College

Our students are fighting real barriers to earning degrees and moving into careers. We are grateful that the Governor and legislators are so committed to supporting our students on this journey, and this support is so timely considering current challenges.

26 percent of Gen Z applicants bringing parent to job interview: Survey Josh Baker, President of Mountwest Community and Technical College

The importance of this swift and decisive action taken by Gov. Justice and our state Legislature to address the FAFSA crisis of 2024 cannot be understated. This targeted funding will ensure that our students have the financial support needed to pursue their college education and help West Virginia’s colleges and universities better plan for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Ericke Cage, President of West Virginia State University

Concord University extends its gratitude to members of the West Virginia Legislature, Gov. Justice, and Chancellor Sarah Tucker for their efforts, decisions, and support for all of West Virginia’s higher education institutions during this challenging time. The impact of the funding on our students and institutions cannot be overstated. We are looking forward to a bright Fall 2024 made possible by the support we are being provided.

Kendra Boggess, President of Concord University

Students who are eligible for the Promise Scholarship and apply by September 1, 2024, will get financial aid totaling to $5,500 for the 2024/2025 school year. If a student completed FAFSA from the 2023/2024 year and qualifies for HEGP, they will get an amount of $6,800 for the upcoming school year.

If a student does not have any application for FAFSA on file, but is eligible for other programs such as TANF and SNAP, they can show their eligibility letter to their higher education institution’s financial aid office in order to receive HEGP. The letter must be from the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) or West Virginia Department of Health (DH).

To request a replacement letter, call 877-716-1212.

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