Decide
For the parents and families who attended our 2023 Decide WVU presentation, thank you! Here you can find the helpful information, tips and tricks, and websites shared during the presentation.
For more information on Decide WVU, visit the Decide WVU Day website. Also see our special Parents webpage that addresses financial aid topics that parents and families often have questions on.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We post scholarship opportunities, money tips, and important reminders that can help you and your student stay on track for financial aid, scholarships, billing, and more!
What Is the WVU Hub?
Your connection to:
- Student accounts and billing
- Financial aid (including scholarships)
- Federal Work-Study employment
- Registrar and academic records
How Will You Hear from Us?
Emails regarding these topics are sent from the WVU Hub to students’ WVU MIX emails. Students can set it up on their mobile devices. It is crucial that students pay attention to notices from the WVU Hub because they could be about financial aid or a balance due.
Students should check their WVU MyAccount and Financial Aid Information regularly via their WVU Portal to view the most up-to-date information.
How Can Students Finance Their Education?
Plan for Your Cost Your Way Planner
The Plan for Your Cost Your Way Planner allows you to estimate costs, financial aid, and potential out-of-pocket expenses for fall and spring.
A version of the planner that students can edit, details on how to use it, and resources it provides can be found on our Cost and Resource Planner webpage.
Common Types of Financial Aid Students May See in Their Offers
Common Types of Aid
Financial assistance can come from a variety of sources and can be classified as either self-help aid or gift aid:
- Federal
- State
- Institutional
- Departmental
- Private
Gift Aid
Self-Help Aid
Common Types of Aid: Scholarships
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid
- Most scholarships are offered based on academic merit
- Students are automatically reviewed for institutional scholarships based on GPA and test scores, if submitting test scores. Visit our Scholarships webpage for more information on scholarships for incoming students.
- The Promise Scholarship is awarded to WV residents only. It is based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information and Promise application. The deadline has been extended to May 1 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students must meet Promise eligibility requirements and the FAFSA submission deadline of May 1 for the 2023-2024 aid year.
Common Types of Aid: Other Scholarships
There are various other scholarships students can research and pursue in addition to the institutional scholarships for which they are automatically reviewed. These include departmental and external scholarships (from local providers or other third-parties).
Potential Sources
Departmental scholarships are those based on the student's program of study and available from the student's department or college. Some departments offer first-time freshmen scholarships, and others offer to upper-level students. Some are automatically reviewed, while others may require an application. Please check your program's website for more information on eligibility and application requirements. Students can find information to help guide them to the appropriate websites on our Departmental or College Scholarships webpage.
Local scholarships are those you may find in your local area. Some potential resources to explore are:
- High school counselors
- Businesses
- Alumni associations
- Libraries
- Churches
- Nonprofit organizations
Scholarship search engines are another way to research and pursue external scholarship opportunities.
- Find external scholarship opportunities and search engines on our External Scholarships webpage.
- Visit our Tips on Applying for Scholarships webpage for tips on applying for scholarships and narrowing down your search when using a scholarship search engine.
Common Types of Aid: Grants
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid
- Most grants are based on financial need as determined by the student's FAFSA information
- Common grants:
Common Types of Aid: Federal Work-Study
Part-time Student Employment
- Working up to 28 hours/week is shown to improve time management and GPA
- Amount is earned through paychecks and can help with indirect costs such as personal, transportation, and supplies (does not apply directly as payment toward WVU charges)
- Some students are offered Federal Work-Study based on financial need from their FAFSA, but students do not need to have work-study to apply for part-time jobs on and off campus
Common Types of Aid: Loans
- Borrowed aid that must be repaid with interest
- Borrowed from the federal government or private lenders
- Federal student loans up to $5,500 may be offered to freshmen based on FAFSA information
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- Students/parents are not required to take loans, but if a student needs them to achieve their educational goals, they are an option to consider. However, only borrow what you need.
What Other Options Do Students Have if Aid Does Not Cover Their Balance Due?
Other Funding Options: Part-time Student Jobs
Students can seek on- or off-campus employment through the Handshake job search database available on the Career Services website.
- Working up to 20 hours per week shown to improve time management and GPA
- Helps with indirect costs such as personal, transportation, and supplies (does not apply as payment to the bill)
- Some students offered Federal Work-Study based on financial need from their FAFSA, but students do not need to have work-study to apply for part-time jobs on and off campus
Other Funding Options: College Savings Plan, Third-Party Sponsors, Veterans
- If you have a college savings plan such as a 529 or prepaid college plan, please contact your plan manager for instructions on how to send funds.
- Third-party sponsors are entities that pay institutional charges for a student. Examples include Vocational Rehabilitation, military, employers, etc. Students may qualify for assistance through these entities and should contact them for eligibility requirements and application instructions.
- If you are receiving Veterans benefits, start your certification process online by going to the Center for Veteran, Military and Family Programs website and selecting the benefit to access the instructions and documents needed.
Monthly Payment Plan
Students can break semester charges into as many as five smaller payments. The earlier you sign up, the longer you can spread out your payments.
- Can help reduce borrowing through loans
- It’s all online! You can enroll, manage your account, and make payments 24/7.
- Students should monitor their MIX email accounts for more information as it becomes available
Visit our Tuition Payment Plan webpage for deadlines, to sign up, and for more information.
Other Funding Options: Credit-Based Loans
There are credit-based loan options for both students and parents, requiring an application with the federal government or private lender.
Parent PLUS Loan
- Lender is the federal government
- Interest fixed – 7.54% for 2022-2023 (2023-2024 rates not yet available)
- For parents of dependent undergraduates
- Loan is in the parent’s name
- Apply starting in May on the Federal Student Aid website
For more information about Parent PLUS Loans, visit our Federal Parent PLUS Loan webpage.
Private Loan
- Interest varies by lender
- Borrower could be a student or parent
- Student usually needs a cosigner
- Apply starting in May
- Loans will not be certified until after the student registers at New Student Orientation (NSO)
For more information on comparing private lenders, visit our Private Loans webpage.
Residency and Reduced Tuition Rate
- Residency Classification and Reclassification are determined by the Office of Admissions.
- Some out-of-state students may qualify for reduced tuition rates through special programs. Visit the Cost and Aid website for more information on Reduced Tuition programs. Students receiving veterans benefits can visit the WVU Veterans Benefits webpage for details on how benefits may affect tuition rates.
- If a student’s residency status changes after a scholarship offer has been made – or they are switched from paying non-resident tuition and fees to resident tuition and fees – the original award will no longer be valid.
Family Contribution Appeal
If your financial circumstances have changed or the FAFSA is not accurately reflecting certain elements, the WVU Hub can make adjustments for specific circumstances. Please note that completing this appeal does not necessarily mean more aid. Here are a few criteria to keep in mind if you are considering submitting a Family Contribution Appeal:
- If your EFC is “0”, it can’t get any lower than that
- If your income drops from $450,000 to $350,000, that probably will not have enough of an impact to qualify for changes to financial aid
Special Circumstances for Appeal
If you have experienced extenuating circumstances outside of your control, you may qualify to submit a Family Contribution Appeal and have your EFC and financial aid eligibility reevaluated. Some examples of circumstances that may qualify you for an appeal are:
- Loss of employment or reduction in income
- Separation or divorce
- Parent or spouse death
- Loss or reduction of child support
- One-time income reported on taxes
- Medical or dental expenses paid out-of-pocket (must be documented paid expenses)
Visit our Family Contribution Appeal webpage for more information on the appeal process.
What's Next?
Cost and Resource Planner
The Cost and Resource Planner is available to help estimate out-of-pocket costs for fall and spring. You can find the Planner on our Cost and Resource Planner webpage.
- Students use billable and non-billable estimates from their cost of attendance in their WVU Portal.
- Students use financial aid information to input anticipated scholarships, grants, and loans.
- The Planner estimates remaining costs and provides payment options for the year.
- All amounts are estimated. The WV Board of Governors does not approve new tuition and fee amounts until summer.
Fall 2023 Timeline
Now through June
- If you have not completed the FAFSA, please submit it as soon as possible on the Federal Student Aid website.
- Review outstanding financial aid tasks and resolve them. You can view financial aid requirements in the WVU Portal.
- Students should view and make decisions on financial aid offers via the WVU Portal.
- Parents of dependent undergraduates may apply for a credit-based Parent PLUS Loan on the Federal Student Aid website.
- Students may apply for a Private Loan. Most students will need a cosigner. Find more information on our Private Loans Page.
- First-time student borrowers of federal loans much complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN, Loan Agreement) and entrance counseling on the Federal Student Aid website.
July and August
- July 1 through July 5:
- July 1 is the last day to select a meal plan before it defaults to the Go 13 Plan for on-campus students. This deadline ensures students have a meal plan when fall charges become available. Meal plans can still be changed after July 1.
- Fall charges are available online on the WVU Portal.
- Fall billing notifications are sent to the MIX email of students who owe a balance.
- The deadline to sign up for the five-month payment plan is July 23. Keep an eye on your MIX email for more information on our new and improved payment plan process.
- August 1:
- Payment (minus any authorized aid) is due
For our full timeline, visit our Timeline webpage. It's updated regularly as new dates and information become available!
Top Five Unsatisfied Requirements
Unsatisfied requirements for financial aid can prevent financial aid from being offered or disbursing as payment to students' accounts.
The most common unsatisfied requirements are when a student:
- Did not apply for financial aid ( FAFSA, external scholarships, Parent PLUS Loan, private loan);
- Input incorrect information on the FAFSA;
- Did not accept their financial aid offer via the WVU Portal;
- Did not complete loan requirements;
- Have missing documentation for verification or other unsatisfied requirements.
Follow Us on Social Media!
Follow us on social media for important deadlines and reminders, scholarship opportunities, and budgeting tips that can help you and your student stay on track for financial aid, scholarships, billing, and more!
Contact Us
We are here to help! Contact us by phone or online assistance when you have questions about billing, financial aid, and Federal Work-Study.
- Online Assistance
- @WVUHub on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
- Phone: 304-293-1988
- Fax: 304-293-4890
- Mailing: P.O. Box 6004, Morgantown, WV 26506
- Location: Evansdale Crossing, 2nd Floor, 62 Morrill Way, Morgantown, WV
Campus Locations
Morgantown
Evansdale Crossing (second floor)
62 Morrill Way
Morgantown, WV 26506
Beckley
609 South Kanawha Street
Beckley, WV 25601
Keyser
Administration Building (Room 101)
101 Fort Avenue
Keyser, WV 26726