WVU System Connection Grant
Please note that the name of this grant has changed. Students first receiving the grant prior to the fall 2020 semester would see the Mountaineer Connection Scholarship or Grant. Students first receiving the grant from fall 2020 on may see the WVU System Connection Grant, or the Mountaineer Connection Scholarship or Grant.
- Eligible Students
- Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment Requirements
- Renewal Information and Limits
- How to Apply and Changes to Values
Eligible Students
Only available for first-time freshmen as undergraduate-level students who have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
Eligibility Criteria
The Connection Grant is offered based on a combination of financial need and academic merit. For consideration, students must:
- Be admitted to a degree-seeking program as a first-time freshman by June 1 for the upcoming academic year
- Submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate aid year and have a valid Student Aid Index (SAI) available from their FAFSA by June 1
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your cost as well as potential aid eligibility - including the Connection Grant and other institutional scholarships.
Enrollment Requirements
Students must also enroll full-time for the grant to disburse each fall and spring semester.
Renewal Information and Limits
Not all Connection Scholarships/Grants are renewable from one academic year to the next. Some offers were made as one-time only, nonrenewable aid. Please review your Financial Aid Information via your WVU Portal to view the details for your scholarship/grant. You can find the details under the Award section on the Award Overview tab.
The WVU System Connection Grant - and some Mountaineer Connection Scholarships/Grants - are renewable for up to eight undergraduate semesters, or completion of a bachelor's degree - whichever comes first. Financial aid for each aid year also cannot exceed a student's cost of attendance.
To renew, students must earn a minimum of 30 credit hours within the academic year (fall, spring and summer) and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of summer.
How to Apply and Changes to Values
First-time freshmen must be admitted by June 1 and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate aid year to be considered for the Connection Grant. Students must have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) available from their FAFSA by June 1. This can be impacted if the student's FAFSA needs corrections, is missing high school information, or they need to submit additional documentation. Students are notified through their MIX email (via WVU Portal) in these circumstances.
Non-resident students initially offered this scholarship who will be charged in-state tuition rates through programs such as Ohio Tuition Reciprocity or Veteran status (or who change to in-state tuition rates through any other program) may see their Connection grant/scholarship reduced or canceled due to their change in cost and eligibility.
Students who meet the admission, FAFSA submission, and valid EFC deadlines may also see the value of their Connection grant/scholarship increased if their academic information within the WVU System shows an increased overall GPA and/or test scores by July 15 for the upcoming academic year.